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pretty_bunny
Snake mite

Trinidad and Tobago
40 Posts

Posted - 25/10/2010 :  03:38:17  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Yesterday my snake began to hide under the newspaper that I put for him as a substrate, most likely because he keeps pushing around the hides that are there. What can I use that is heavy enough for him but still small enough so that he doesn't move it around? I was thinking of a clay pot but i figured he might be able to move that.

Snakesitter
Rainbow Master

USA
2718 Posts

Posted - 25/10/2010 :  20:39:42  Show Profile  Visit Snakesitter's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Mine sometimes hide under the paper, too. It could be a temperature thing: is he hiding under the paper on the far cool or hot end? It could also be for privacy: a few of mine sometimes hide in the back corner *behind* the hide, especially when in shed.

One way I weigh down lighter hides is to place the water bowl on top of them. This stops them moving, and at the same time gives my Brazilian a place to climb. Just make sure the snake cannot knock it over and make a mess.

I've never used clay pots, but have heard of other people using them successfully.

Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles

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pretty_bunny
Snake mite

Trinidad and Tobago
40 Posts

Posted - 25/10/2010 :  22:30:52  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
The water bowl is pretty light too but he never knocked it over so I guess I could try :P
I bought a mouse today, it was the smallest one I could find but I hope it's not too big.

I don't have a hot end because the temperature stays between 27-31 and I'm afraid that using a heater will make it too hot for him. I have one here though, but instead of getting a smaller one like I asked my aunt bought one for a 30-40 gallon tank :P Not her fault, because it technically was the smallest petsmart had. It's still in the packaging on my shelf.
I'm pretty sure it's because his hide is shaky but I will try the water bowl on top and see.

Edited by - pretty_bunny on 25/10/2010 22:31:25
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master

USA
2718 Posts

Posted - 26/10/2010 :  01:02:15  Show Profile  Visit Snakesitter's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Small mice are tough to find for some reason. Good reason to buy a tub of frozen ones and just keep them on hand (once your snake will take frozen, that is).

Ah, that's right, I forgot you were the lucky one with the perfect temps! :-)

Shakey as opposed to light? What are you using for a hide?

Cliff Earle
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pretty_bunny
Snake mite

Trinidad and Tobago
40 Posts

Posted - 26/10/2010 :  01:10:18  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
A plastic plant pot :P Smallest thing I could find. But if he wants to hide under the paper then so be it. I put the water bowl on top of the hide but it's bigger so I was afraid it will topple over and make a mess.

He ate the mouse with out any problems at all, I would buy frozen but no one sells them like that here and my mom won't let me keep dead mice in the freezer.
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master

USA
2718 Posts

Posted - 26/10/2010 :  20:53:06  Show Profile  Visit Snakesitter's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Good call not risking a mess or an accident. I'd try and see if you can find something a bit weightier. The clay pot might do it. Are you packing it with something so he feels secure/hidden in there? Baby snakes like to feel wedged in.

Glad to hear he ate with no issues. As for frozen food, if your Mom won't allow it, then you're kinda stuck. (Unless you can convince her it's "suspended animation"?) You'll get good at pre-killing, that's for sure!

Cliff Earle
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IncurableFlirt
Yearling

USA
516 Posts

Posted - 27/10/2010 :  19:17:13  Show Profile  Send IncurableFlirt an AOL message  Reply with Quote
With Marius, I used plastic butter tubs with a small opening cut in on one side...then stuffed with Spaghnum moss for security. That is his favorite hide. On his cool side, he has a plastic hide I bought at the pet store and also another plastic butter tub that is smaller and closer to the ground. He hides in there sometimes, but his favorite is the moss filled one. You could also try buying him a small length of PVC pipe and seal one side off with either a PVC cap or leave it open for two entrances. This type of hide can be made long enough to go from your warm side to your cool side so that your snake can thermo-regulate and still hide.

The important thing to know is that he will hide where he feels the most secure and comfortable, but that might not always be where he can thermo-regulate. Since you live in optimal conditions and don't need the heat mat, I think you probably don't have much to worry about.

Jenn.
11.8 Ball pythons
1.0 BCI boa
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa
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