Slate, stones and rocks in vivs

[biscuitman]

Hi,

Im getting my viv ready for when my Hogg Island Boa moves out of his tub. I'd like to include some stones/slate in the viv to add to the look and give him a nice area to bask on. I have loads of large stones etc in my garden, so my question is...is it safe to use these and how should I go about cleaning them before use? Should I just soak them in bleach.

Any help is appreciated

BISCUITMAN

[snakelover]

i put mine in boiling ht water, and then scrub them, then boiling how water again, but havent put any in vivs yet, i am just collecting some for the vivs.

[argentine_boa]

Originally Posted by snakelover

i put mine in boiling ht water, and then scrub them, then boiling how water again, but havent put any in vivs yet, i am just collecting some for the vivs.

Yep, placing in boiling hot water is the easiest way of killing any bacteria. Just make sure they are put in the viv stable and won't fall and injure the snake

[Stoke Lad]

i was thinking of doing the same. how would you boil a big rock?

[argentine_boa]

Originally Posted by Stoke Lad

i was thinking of doing the same. how would you boil a big rock?

Well you are not exactly going to have a boulder in the viv as that would be impossible, just get a big enough bucket or container to put the rock in and add some boiling water. I have never found any problems with doing that.

[snakelover]

yup...if you have to get a big tub, and fill with boiling water, make sure the rock is covered in boiling water so no rock is above water, leave for 15-20 mins, bring out scrub, then do the same with new boiling water...

[Stoke Lad]

what sort of rock should i use i was thinking of finding a fairly big rock that looks interesting (for a rock)

it would take up quite abit of room but it would give the viv more dimention for ernie,

should i fill the viv with rocks and sticks, ernie dosent seem to care about open spaces he likes to climb more.

what do you think?

[snakelover]

its your set up not ours, i am puting loads of wood, MOPANI in my royals viv, when i get em, loads of plants and logs in my RB, and not much in my lizards, few bits in my ackies.

[Azazel777]

i used to use large bark stuff i got at pet shops and found a couple of large stones in my back garden a couple of years ago... i used a small amount of bleach in a large bath but wasnt convinced it would be hot enough to kill anything lurking.

i baked the stones on a high temp in my oven for a short time and never had any troubles

now i use really cool perches with various branches on them which i can screw into the side of my plastic vivs. its really handy and the wood is really smooth and lovely

i think its mopani but i am not sure. i got them at a pet shop and they were pretty pricey ( £20-£30) a piece but i like them so i got a couple for each of my snakes who like climbing. they seem to love them and clean up easily if necessary.

[400runner]

probably kno this but don't place an slate under ceramics or bulbs coz you'll end up witha very hot surface temp that will burn the snake.
sure you know though mate, just seen some terrible pics of burnt snakes!