If it is only a problem in large quantities, why do defra have strict controls over disposal of it out of household thermometers? Just wondering! Don't think I would risk it myself!

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new sig rules are rubbish

If it's mercury then yes it will be toxic,I'd be on the safe side and do a complete clean out.
How toxic it would be I can't say but I'd imagine if your snake is a juvenile then it will be a bigger threat, also better to play it safe now rather than to wait until something happens, a few months might pass with nothing happening and you'd think it had no effect but you don't know if it will take longer to progress or might even of caused damage that shows no obvious signs.

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Call me Reece

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0.1.0 Chilean Rose Tarantula
0.0.1 Horned Frog
0.1.0 Tokay Gecko
1.1.0 Greybanded Kingsnake

to my knowledge newer thermometers aren't filled with mercury, since its so dangerous and all. though like everyone has said being cautious isnt a bad thing

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The Zoo5.3.0 Ferrets1.0.3 Corn Snakes1.0.0 Common Boas1.1.0 Dogs3.1.0 Cats1.0.0 Love Birds1.0.0 African Dwarf Frogs10.6.20 Tropical Fish

With these there is a sliver liquid in the bulb thing on the bottom and the red liquid which is pushed up (I beleive) by the mercury. I can't think of what else these silver balls may be.

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Reptiles
1.0.0 Corn Snake - Kiwi
0.0.1 Albino Black Ratsnake - Baldrick
1.0.0 Banded Cali king - KitKat
0.2.0 Leopard Geckos - Spyro and Yoshii (Original :P)
0.1.0 First Royal arriving on Friday!!!!

Fish
0.0.46 Tropical Fish (4 Platies, 15 Red Phantoms, 3 Angels, 1 Albino Cory Cat, Brown Hoplo Catfish, 2 Dwarf Gouramis, 5 Clown Loaches, 12 Buenos Aires Tetras, 2 Small Gourami Things, 1 Betta Splendens, (Named Betta cos he's betta than all the rest))
0.0.2 Goldfish - Fluffy and Mr. T
0.0.10 Pondfish - Comets, Shubunkins, Goldfish ect

Domestics
1.1.0 Cats - Holly and Cola

<3
0.1.0 Mental Girlfriend - Lucy

So these balls are mercury then?

If i take the tank outside and give it a rinse with water will it be ok to put the snake back in ?

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One man and his snake....

One man = me
His snake = 'Texas',my leucistic rat snake

Liam, the balls are solid and cant be smushed, even with a needle.

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One man and his snake....

One man = me
His snake = 'Texas',my leucistic rat snake

That's a good point

What would you class as a large quantity though? A small amount to us would be a huge amount in size comparison to a small snake, and it doesn't really mean anything that small amounts don't or usually don't affect humans, a snakes system isn't the same as ours and can be more vulnerable to certain things.
Play on the safe side and get the snake out of there and get the tank cleaned

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Call me Reece

0.0.1 JCP
1.0.0 Western Hognose
0.0.1 Royal Python
1.0.0 Crested Gecko
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon
1.0.0 Florida Soft Shell Turtle
0.1.0 Dumerils Boa
0.1.0 Chilean Rose Tarantula
0.0.1 Horned Frog
0.1.0 Tokay Gecko
1.1.0 Greybanded Kingsnake

Mercury is silver not red it's an alcohol mixture, not as toxic as mercury but give the viv a damn good clean and get a digital one

Some thermometers have what looks like lead shot at the bottom that's what the balls probably are

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Is it an old thermometer or a new one? They have found alternatives to mercury and I would think if you where manufacturing thermometers then you would use the non mega dangerous ingrediant. This is completely irrelevent I know, just ignore me. I would clean very very carefully and just keep cleaning. You can never be too sure.

Oh and I hope all goes well.