| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kerriekins666 |
Posted - 05/09/2009 : 19:26:38
hi i am new to the website and have decided to join because i am getting a baby royal python soon and i need to know just a couple of things before i am a hundred percent confident that i am ready to get my snake.
the first thing i would like to know is the best thing to use as a substrate for my python. I have been told there are things to avoid that can cause respiratory problems in snakes. I have found some natural bark substrate made 100% from fur tree bark. I wanted to know whether that this is suitable for a royal python.
the second thing that i would like to know is sphagnum moss, i have read is useful for a snake when it is shedding its skin as it raises humidity. I want to know whether i can keep this stuff in the tank all the time (not just when shedding), cause it could as a good cool moist hide-out for a snake. but i would rather get some advice first.
the last thing i want to know is that i havent got my snake yet and knowing the size that they can grow up to i have brought a 3ft long tank. I know they like the smaller sized tanks so was wondering whether this is a good tank for my royal python from when it is a baby, to up to adulthood.
sorry to be asking a lot but i would rather know these things before i buy a pet
thanks a lot  |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Remmy |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 16:56:09
Hi and welcome to the forum |
| ChloEllie |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 10:37:20
hey hun,
welcome to the forum.
congrats on getting the snake soon and especially for doing research and joinging a forum before hand.
i found the best way to get info is from peoiple who keep the snake and learn from experience. dont get me wrong, care sheets are good but i found all of them gave diff temps.
i think everyone has covered he/she would do better in a rub, and the moss isnt a prob to keep in the rub all the time. tbh we only stick it in when signs of shed start to show.
x |
| Gingerpony |
Posted - 07/09/2009 : 19:50:26
heya and welcome |
| Robert |
Posted - 06/09/2009 : 23:09:54
Welcome to the forum and I know you will get lots of good advice and help from all on here, enjoy your new python they are wonderful :) |
| Blackecho |
Posted - 06/09/2009 : 16:19:22
Hello |
| dazb |
Posted - 06/09/2009 : 09:02:21
Hi and welcome... |
| kerriekins666 |
Posted - 05/09/2009 : 23:07:51
thanks |
| spor |
Posted - 05/09/2009 : 23:06:12
http://www.theroyalpython.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1399
http://www.theroyalpython.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=710.
i keep a moss hide in my viv all the time as a place of higher moister if the snake require it they use it they'll just climb in. Just need to make sure that if you are going to keep it in that you chance the moss and give the hide a good clean every few weeks. Other just and th hide when they know their snakes are coming in to shed. personal choice on that.
As far as where to get it. i get mine in B&Q gardening section and prepare 6months worth at a time. |
| kerriekins666 |
Posted - 05/09/2009 : 23:00:19
yea i remember our other royal python when he settled in the 3ft tank. We put not too much but enough plants, decour and hidding places so that the snake believed the tank was smaller than it actually was. I guess it will depend on how the snake reacts. But I will get a smaller tank, thanks for the advice.
do you have any info on sphagnum moss by any chance??? aparently it is good for the snake during shedding as it increases humidity.
if you can thanks, if you cant no worries, you been a great help |
| spor |
Posted - 05/09/2009 : 22:49:52
the open space of a 3ft viv could cause undue stress for a hatchling making it difficult for it to settle, which in turn could effect it feeding. shedding and so on.
With the smaller rub they will feel a lot more secure and they are a lot easier to care for. Once it has reached 6-9months or so you could consider moving it to a 3ft viv as long as it was really packed out with lots of places to hide and lots of greenery,
|
| kerriekins666 |
Posted - 05/09/2009 : 22:36:58
thanks a lot. i will get a smaller tank for the time being, but what would happen in terms of the snakes behaviour if i placed them inside the 3ft tank. My dad had a 3ft tank when he first got his royal python and it hasnt had any problems, handles well feeds well. I am just following in my dads footsteps, because thats what i grew up with. I am just curious as to know what could happen to a baby python in a 3ft tank |
| lee2308 |
Posted - 05/09/2009 : 21:21:39
hi and welcome to the forum,stay well clear of substrates from sappy trees and wood shavings as these can contain pine,heres a good guide on substrates http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1876 |
| spor |
Posted - 05/09/2009 : 21:07:09
Hi
Firstly welcome to the forum and congratulations on your great choice of snake.
I'll help with what I can, questions wise and others with more experience will be on to help as well.
As regards the size of your vivarium. 3ft is great for an adult but really not what you want for a hatchling . You were right with them needed smaller sized tanks, and hatchlings really only require a small 9L RUB ( really useful box) With ventilation holes and. Two hides and a water bowl.
Substrate wise Pine and Cedar are a very toxic and I would have thought fir trees fall into that same family so might be best to aviod. Kitchen role or newspaper is the cheapest and easiest to get and use especial when young. If using news paper i try to leave it for a while and use last weeks newspapers (this way the ink has had a good time to dry out).
Of course you have heating to think about as well. You would need a heat mat 1/3 to 1/2 the size of your rub , a thermostat,( a pulse proportional one would be best). then to digital thermometers one for warm side and one for cold.
Hope this helps a bit. If you check out the care sheet on the hompage and the diy section for setting up a rub.You should get more answers there.with temps ranging between 80F-90F
Best of luck |
