Feeding during brumation

bonks · Oct 11, 2007

Hi this is my first snake which I got 2 weeks ago as a hatchling. I believe he's going through brumation right now, but please correct me if I'm wrong. For the past couple days he's been inactive, always under the substrate. I took him out after 3 days and saw that he's looking pale, but very alert when i handled him (he kept moving his tongue). When I put him back, he went under a hide and I think stayed there for the rest of the night. Now it's been 5 days since I last fed him and I'm not sure if I should find him under the substrate and feed him or until he's back out and active. Please educate me, thanks!

susang · Oct 11, 2007

It sounds more like he is getting ready to shed. Most people don't brumate until the snake is at least 200 grams. His viv would have to be pretty cold for him to brumate and if this were happening which I doubt you would definately not feed him.
If it is shedding time he may or may not eat.

Wis_fishing_guy · Oct 11, 2007

What are the temps in the tank.What are you using as heat source?What substrate are you using?It would not be very good for a hatchling to brumate.They dont have the extra weight for it.If I were you I would check my temps and get them at 80-85 warm side and 70-75 cool side.Then get it to eat every 4 to 5 days.

bonks · Oct 11, 2007

I don't think he's at least 200g or close. He's only 11inches and is feeding on pinkies. So instead of brumating, I guess he's about to shed.

I have a 10gal cage which is heated by a 25w night light. I use those stick on thermometers on both sides, one reads 84f and the other end reads 80f. The substrate used is aspen. Is it okay to spray water in the cage to allow humidity?

I think I have a bad setup, what do you recommend so I can accommodate my corn better? I'm on a budget so what should I get/replace in the order of importance?

Thanks in advance!

susang · Oct 12, 2007

Well sorry to say you do have a bad set-up you wither need a UTH or a light (I sue red they give heat without light). You should have a water dish big enough for the snake to get in, this will give him the humidty he needs. Stick on thermometer not good, but you tried at least give the baby better heat.
I really don't mean to be rude or negative, but you shouldn't have gotten the snake if you couldn't afford the bare minimums. my opinion only, susang

bonks · Oct 12, 2007

Well I don't want to give him the bare minimum, I did two days of research before going to the pet store but ended up buying the wrong stuff. Such as the heat source, I bought a 45w basking lamp (the guy who helped me said it was good enough) which I found out later that it was way too hot so I bought a 25w night light that I could keep on day/night. I then found out (after i discovered this forum) that those stick on thermometers suck. I do have a water dish large enough for him but I've never seen him go inside.

Thing's I want to do in the next week or two is:
-Get rid of my lights and get a UTH. (How do I control the temp?)
-Buy a scale so I can measure his weight and feed him the proper sized mice.
-Get accurate thermometers.

I'd like to buy a quality UTH and thermometers but I doubt they can be found at Petco or Petsmart. Are there any online stores which sell these and what products would you recommend? Also, what else should I get my corn? I want to give it everything he needs/wants without spending more than $100 more.

bonks · Oct 12, 2007

By the way, I just fed him and he appears alert and healthy. He's now under a hide on the warm side resting

Susan · Oct 12, 2007

You should be able to find a UTH at your local Petco. You control the temp with a rheostat/thermostat, which should also tell you what the temp is. Both of these should be well under your $100 maximum. As for the scale, that can wait as it really isn't a required item. As long as you are feeding prey items that are as wide as 1 - 1 1/2 times the width of your snake, then that's perfect.

Wis_fishing_guy · Oct 12, 2007

You want to get the cool side down to 70-75.All you are using for your temps are those stick ons.If that is the case your temps could be even hotter.Go to walmart a.s.a.p and buy a thermometer with a prob $10-$15.That should do the trick for your temps.

Lennycorn · Oct 12, 2007

bonks said:
Please educate me, thanks!

bonks · Oct 13, 2007

I just bought a UTH by Zoo Med. It's the 10-20 gallon size, which takes up 1/3 of my 10gal tank. At 25w, could I keep this on 24/7 without the need of controlling the heat?

Wis_fishing_guy · Oct 13, 2007

Yeah you can keep it on 24/7.But you want to mke sure one side is 70-75 and the warmest spot is no more than 90(80-85 is better).Make sure you get a thermometer with a prob its key to knowing what your temps really are.

Twizzy · Oct 13, 2007

It seems like you are trying to get what your snake needs if I can just add a few more suggestions..I'd get rid of the aspen if this is a new hatchling..first off you wouldnt want it to eat any aspen during a feeding that can cause a serious impaction and kill your snake..plus I find with new hatchlings it is easier to keep the cage clean..I use papertowels..some use newspaper..I'm wishy washy on that due to germs. If you absolutely want to keep the aspen then you'll need to feed the hatchling in a seperate container and at times this can upset them and then make them not want to eat..Just some humble advice

Next get a rheostat for that UTH so it doesnt get to hot ..zoomed makes one that is around 25 bucks

Good luck and it is great that you came to ask questions..that is what the site is for

http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=75

bonks · Oct 13, 2007

I need to learn some of these terms you guys use. What's prob and viv? I just found out my cage is not glass and the UTH says only to use it on glass cages.

This is the cage I have: http://www.zilla-rules.com/products/critter-cages.htm

It's the Critter Cage 10 Gallon

Would anyone say it's okay to put a UTH on an acrylic (i think) cage?

Twizzy · Oct 13, 2007

I use the zilla critter cages just in a much larger size and the UTH is fine for that.

Prob was probably short for a probe..you can purchase a thermometer with a 6 foor attached probe..you put the probe at the hottest point to monitor the heat they are $10-15 at walmart.

Viv is short for Vivarium

Good luck and feel free to keep asking questions the only silly question is the one not asked

Twizzy · Oct 13, 2007

Just thinking on this zilla cage it is like the pick you posted?? They are glass to the best of my knowledge unless the smaller sizes are made differently then the larger ones..I have several 20L,30l and even the 40 for my critters.

bonks · Oct 13, 2007

You know what, after a little more tapping on the cage and examining its edges, I think it is glass. The box doesn't say anything nor does the website about it being glass. Also, when I clean it, it seems very light and I expect glass to be heavier. I guess having a glass aquarium (filled with water lol) made my critter cage feel much lighter.

Anyway, I really appreciate all your guys help and I couldn't expect more. I'll look for a thermostat this weekend. O yea, if I place the probe at the hottest point, how will I know what temp to keep it so that the cool end is cool enough? Say I keep the hot end 85F, the cool end (in a 10gal tank) could only stay so cool due to the small space. Any ideas on how to achieve 85 on one side and 75 on the other in a 10gal tank?

Twizzy · Oct 13, 2007

With the UTH make sure you only purchase a small one and place as far over to one side as you can..that should keep that side the right temp with a rheostat attached like we mentioned above..with the critter cages the nice part is the top is open so you will lose alot of heat that way..so you should keep a good temp on the cool side unless you keep your house extremely warm

Good luck

bonks · Oct 13, 2007

So, I returned my light source and now I have a UTH 8" x 6" with the Thermostat you suggested (ReptiTemp 500R). I also bought a thermometer with a probe from that website so I expect to have that by next week and for now I'll measure with my stick-on thermometers.

As for the UTH, I use Aspen substrate, should I have anything below the substrate to prevent direct heat if my corn happens to rest directly on the glass surface?

MerlinsPop · Oct 13, 2007

bonks said:
So, I returned my light source and now I have a UTH 8" x 6" with the Thermostat you suggested (ReptiTemp 500R). I also bought a thermometer with a probe from that website so I expect to have that by next week and for now I'll measure with my stick-on thermometers.

As for the UTH, I use Aspen substrate, should I have anything below the substrate to prevent direct heat if my corn happens to rest directly on the glass surface?

The UTH would be under the glass... put the probe for the thermostat AND the probe for the thermoter directly on the glass inside the viv. Then pile an inch or so of aspen on top of that. Keep the temp in the mid 80's... not more than 85 and you'll be A-Okay.

Bugger! LSU just lost. As my son would say... "Poopie!!"

Feeding during brumation

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