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WG35
Snake Mite
Canada
4 Posts |
 Posted - 06/05/2010 : 22:44:45
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Hi everyone! I'm new here so I'll start with a quick intro!
I'm 24 and have had a fascination with snakes for a very long time! They never bothered me growing up, and I longed for the day I'd get one. About 2 years ago, a friend of mine couldn't take care of her one year old albino cal-king anymore, so I finally got my first snake! Most of the research I'd done was on pythons, so I was pretty unaware of what a cal-king should be like. Knowing what I konw today, she was very lethargic. She passed away about 6 months after I got her.
A few months after this, I decided to get myself another snake. I set out to find my beloved perfect python, but wound up at a reptile store with a gorgeous little black and white banded cal-king who followed my fingers (probably thinking they were food  lol) through the tank.
Brought the little sucker home and named him Spawn.
Spawn is about a year and a half and is FULL of energy! He's such a good boy too! My 3 and a half year old cousin LOVES petting him (with clean hands of course, and while I'm holding Spawn) and he just doesn't care. No one has ever had a problem with him.
I'm getting bored with his tank! I haven't upgraded to a bigger tank yet. I'm on a 15 gal. He's about 2 feet. I will definately go bigger, but financially that isn't an option right now. He's got the same 2 fake plants, the same half coconut shell hiding spot, and the same water dish, and bark. It's getting boring!!!
I'm picking up more bark today for his tank cleaning. I want to change things up for him a bit to give him something different.
My biggest thought is live plants - but this makes me very nervous since I don't want to do anything that would harm him. Any ideas?
Also, what other inexpensive things can I add to his tank, and how would I go about it, to keep him entertained, happy, and as spoiled as I can manage?
(I've searched these things online, but haven't come up with anything concrete other than to ask here!)
Thanks so much! And I'm very sorry for the long post. I'm a rambler...  |
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WG35
Snake Mite
Canada
4 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2010 : 22:48:25
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| **Also - If I picked up rocks or branches from outside myself, how would I properly clean these to be able to add them to his tank? |
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Welly
Egg
United Kingdom
93 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2010 : 22:59:33
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For cleaning the rocks and branches you want o soak them in water/chlorine and give them plenty of rinsing. That will kill off any nasties.
The worlds your oyster getting a tank sorted there are so many different things you can do that don;t cost much.
I'm a sucker for it too. Check these out
http://www.thekingsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1201 |
0.1.0 Royal Python
0.0.1 Mexican Black King |
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WG35
Snake Mite
Canada
4 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2010 : 23:53:53
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Oh wow! That tank is beautiful! Thanks for the link! :)
Maybe a stupid question... but by chlorine, do you mean pool chlorine, or javex type bleach? |
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Welly
Egg
United Kingdom
93 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2010 : 00:33:11
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| I've used Pool chlorine and that is fine |
0.1.0 Royal Python
0.0.1 Mexican Black King |
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Kehhlyr
The Resident Loon
United Kingdom
511 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2010 : 02:32:09
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Or Bleach, a 10% bleach/water mix would be good for branches and similar.
Some rocks they can go in the oven after a good wash then rinse in soapy water, but stick them on for about 100c for about an hour or so then leave overnight to cool.
There is a 'how to' in the DIY section but the pics are missing but we have the exact same DIY over on our sister site, you can have a looky here: http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7285
/Quick edit
I've grown grass on trays before (sterile soil), that had a nice effect.
There are a few plants that some of the oils/saps can be toxic to your snake, but properly prepared wood should be ok.
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-=Kehhlyr - The Resident Loon
SOME OF MY ANIMALS
 
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Edited by - Kehhlyr on 07/05/2010 02:36:11 |
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WG35
Snake Mite
Canada
4 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2010 : 02:47:19
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Thank you so much for all of your help everyone! It's extremely helpful!!! The only information available around here is the ONE local reptile zoo, but their hours make it impossible to speak to them at a convinient time... and also, I'm not 100% sure I trust the guy who runs in.
When I purchased Spawn from there, he placed Spawn in a plastic container, and went on to poke holes with an exacto knife in the lid WITH SPAWN IN THERE!!! His knife went through too fast/deep and almost stabbed Spawn!!! I was mortified! |
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Kehhlyr
The Resident Loon
United Kingdom
511 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2010 : 10:13:13
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That's crazy!!
I should be asking about the pics of snakie by now. 
*wonders where they are*  |
-=Kehhlyr - The Resident Loon
SOME OF MY ANIMALS
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Topic |
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Cal-King and Live Plant Question
