Log splitting

[DollysMom]

I quickly learned that you absolutely can not safely remove a corn snake from an unsplit cork log, so now I make sure all logs are human accessible if needed.

In the past I was able to split my cork logs just by pulling them apart. I just bought a larger, more substantial log. I split it by sawing along the fissures with a "jab" saw. This log was a little complicated by a branch so I sawed in order to go around the branch.

After splitting the log, I washed it in hot water and removed all the loose inner bark. I held it together to dry with rubber bands.

Here it is open after cleaning and drying.

Here it is closed after cleaning and drying.

I will line it with spaghnum moss to size it to my snake and make it cozier. I do that by wetting the moss and then letting it dry in position.

I'm sure there are many ways to approach this but I have been asked in the past how to do it, so this is what I do.

 

[Karl_Mcknight]

you are quite the resourceful lady!

Will that be for Miss Cleo, or Mr Clyde? (Your post mentions corn snakes, so I'm assuming Cleo will be the recipient). She will be so happy.

 

[DollysMom]

Thanks, Karl!

The big log is for miss Cleo. Like any Mom, I try to be fair, but it's not always equal, lol.

 

[Distaff]

I'll have to add a couple to my next viv supply order.

Never thought of using them as hides, actually.

 

[DollysMom]

Cleo prefers her logs to tp rolls! It's her favorite cool hide.

 

[DollysMom]

Cleo is fast asleep in her old, little log this morning as I ready the new, larger one.

Here is the damp sphagnum moss layered in to dry. It has to be soaked and then squeezed out. If not it is just clumps and lumps of moss. It takes a day or so to dry when not enclosed. Soaking it also allows me to take out any sticks in the moss.

FYI this is ZooMed in the big block, but any organic sphagnum moss can be used. At the moment, it is the best package size versus overall price for me. I also use this stuff in my humid hides where it stays damp for at least a week at a time.

 

[kdickens]

Then what? You have the 2 halves with moss on the bottom of one half. Do you just lay the top on the bottom half? If so, I imagine it stays in place okay? Looks like a great log! I'm keeping all this stuff in my head for when Loopy gets a larger viv.

 

[DollysMom]

Then what? You have the 2 halves with moss on the bottom of one half. Do you just lay the top on the bottom half? If so, I imagine it stays in place okay? Looks like a great log! I'm keeping all this stuff in my head for when Loopy gets a larger viv.

Yes, that's exactly correct. When I decided where to split it, I also made sure it rested on its stable, natural bottom so it doesn't roll over. The lid just rests on top, but because it is not just straight it kind of fits a bit like a puzzle piece and stays in place. If when the snake gets a little too big the lid gets knocked aside, the cork is pretty light and will do no harm to the snake or the viv. That's how I knew the old log was too small. She was lifting the lid and pushing it askew when she went in there.

I wanted to add this last picture this morning. I put the new log in Cleo's viv and it received rave reviews. She found it and went in immediately! She's now happily hidden in her new bigger log.

 

[Karl_Mcknight]

Looks great. Makes you wonder why they don't sell them that way?

You'll probably have to do that several more times before she grows in to a "Keeper"

 

[DollysMom]

Looks great. Makes you wonder why they don't sell them that way?

You'll probably have to do that several more times before she grows in to a "Keeper"

Thanks Karl! No doubt that I will be making larger ones in the future. The good news is we can pass the smaller ones to her brother.

 

[Karl_Mcknight]

"Hand-Me-Downs"

 

[kdickens]

Thanks for the info! Where did you say you got your 'log'? I love this idea. Cleo looks great too, nice pic showing her colors.

 

[DollysMom]

"Hand-Me-Downs"

Thanks for the info! Where did you say you got your 'log'? I love this idea. Cleo looks great too, nice pic showing her colors.

Thanks for the compliment on Cleo!

I got it at the Pangea Reptiles booth at Tinley NARBC last weekend. They are not the only ones at the show with cork rounds (official name for the logs), but they have huge boxes of cork rounds and flats you can rummage though until you can find what you want.

 

[DLena]

This is a really great looking hide. I'm trying to make my vivs more natural looking and cozy. I'm going to have to look on line I think. Thanks for the easy to follow instructions!

 

[DollysMom]

You are welcome, DLena. I'm so glad I could help!

 

[Nanci]

I wonder if you could cut it like a puzzle, so it would stay together unless you pulled it apart. I've used flat cork, too. They love that stuff. They also love to poop on it, though.

 

[DollysMom]

I wonder if you could cut it like a puzzle, so it would stay together unless you pulled it apart. I've used flat cork, too. They love that stuff. They also love to poop on it, though.

You might be able to do that, though with the natural fissures of the cork it might be difficult. I also like that the lid is easy for me to lift. However, what I do is just a jumping off point for others. I hope they can and do make this little project their own.

I really love cork, too. It's much more washable than it looks, as well. None of mine (that includes my dear missing Dolly) have ever pooped on their cork, but each snake is different and my day may yet come, lol.

I did already post this on Cleo's progression, but here she is in her log. It doesn't seem to spook her when I open it. She just sits there until I pick her up or close it up again.

 

[BeauBoi]

Thanks you for sharing this! What an awesome idea! I have been trying to come up with a "long hide" that my snakes can use in their new rack system, one that will let them choose where they want to be on the temperature gradient without having to leave the hide, and I think this is the perfect solution! Thanks!

I think reptile owners are some of the most creative and inventive people on earth!
~Beau

 

[DollysMom]

Thanks for the kind words BeauBoi.

Let me know how it works out for you in the racks.

I use a half round that is almost flat for my other snake's warm hide that I have to keep at 90. Cork is an excellent insulator and really keeps the heat in for him. I love the safety factor in its being relativity light weight, too.