How to house your first snake.

[hologram]

for a 20L rub, what size heat mat would be good for a young corn?

great thread. thanks for the idea!

[snickers]

As an example I'm using a 9L RUB for juvenile Carpet Pythons, and a 64L RUB for a larger Carpet python. I'll be upscaling to 5*64L RUBs shortly.

I'm using a 7"*23" heatstrip to heat 2 9L RUBs. I also use an 11"* 35" heatmat to heat a 64L RUB plus 2 9L RUBs. I use a seperate thermostat for each heatmat.

I usually use recycled icecream tubs for hides - tesco tiramisu ice cream is a perfect size

[rantasam]

Originally Posted by hologram

for a 20L rub, what size heat mat would be good for a young corn?

great thread. thanks for the idea!

Best thing to do is pop on the RUB website and check the dimensions of that box. Then aim to buy a heatmat that would cover roughly half of the base.

[yasmin_gedeon]

i personally hate rubs though - think vivs look alot better - but they are alot more expensive unless you look around or make one

ABCD0017.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

heres some of my vivs - alot more foliage now though - will put some newer pics up when i am back in london on monday

or photobucket me - to see the snakes themselves

[wac123]

will the pet shop owner ask u any questions such as what sort of tank do u have ?

[rantasam]

Some will and some won't. If they do then it's a sign of a good staff member - that they are taking the time to ensure you have the correct setup. I have far more faith in shops which ask about these things as it suggests they care about the animal's care once it has left their care. I've had a range of these responses in the past. In one shop the conversation literally went:

"Can I buy that royal please"

"Sure.. that'll be £50"

Needless to say I have never shopped there since. Another shop took great care to ensure I had the correct housing, temperature requirements, hides etc etc.. and because of this they have since taken a lot more of my money.

[Gaile & Ross]

Brilliant idea,great that you don't need to spent a huge amount of money when starting out!!
Thanks

[Angi]

I know of several snakes that have died due to getting stuck whilst trying to escape via the gap around the lid - most of them very slow deaths too, so please beware when using these really useful boxes.(try searching re really useful boxes over on the livefood forums if you want more actual info)
Also, if you read instructions with heatmats I think you will find that there needs to be a small airgap between the heatmat and the "viv" to prevent over heating, this can be over come by placing your box or viv on top of a couple of pieces of polystyrine to allow for airflow.

For anyone using tape to secure a probe in situ, I would not suggest using any tape within the enclosure, numerous snakes (mainly smaller ones) have died as a result of getting stuck to tape - I have witnessed this happenning and it is not pleasent.

Sorry if any of these points seem obvious, I just wanted to raise them for complete newcomers. Forwarned is fore-armed.

[pigglywiggly]

i agree re:shops i`m looking around and getting info before i get set up and buy any reptiles, only two shops have been helpful to me

birmingham reptiles and pets
and
living reef aquatics in dartford

got total third degree in a friendly way, really bothered that you dont make mistakes, happy to chat and give free advice

[minxmagic]

great stuff!

i have the vents at one end too...but at the end of the tub