Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

IndiraRose

I am getting my first snake in about a week (a Mexican Black) and I was wondering if anyone had any advice for me as this is my first snake. I am a total noob when it comes to reptiles but I have been reading a hell of alot on them in the past weeks. Are the Mex. Blacks easy to handle? I have been around a few Royal Pythons and was wondering how the Blacks compare temperate-wise with them....
I am slowly getting everything set up for when he arrives. I will start him off in a 10 gallon, then when he outgrows that I have a Reptarium (260 gallon) that was given to me. Has anyone used the Reptarium (or Exo Terra's Flexarium)? So anyway, I would love some feedback and any advice from anyone...... Smile

Thank you

I will post pics of him when he arrives.... Very Happy

Scott W · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 11:41 pm Post subject:

Mexican black kings are beautiful snakes, tame overall too. They have a slight feeding response if they can smell food or have just been fed but that goes for most snakes.

Great choice of snake, one of my favorite kings.
_________________

Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

rankindude · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 12:46 am Post subject:

mexi blacks are great snakes..ive always found them tame but you do get the odd bitey animal like everything
can't work out gallons too well but sounds like you got everything sorted..all the best Smile

IndiraRose · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:34 pm Post subject:

Hello again.....I have a couple more questions about my soon-to-be-snake. First is, I'm running out of money (haha isn't everyone?) and it will be about a month before I can get absolutely everything the little guy is going to need...so I want to know what kind of heating equipment he must have. Would it be better to get a heat pad or a heat lamp? My house is very warm actually...almost always 25 C, so I don't know what would be better. Also can someone point me in the right direction for desert terrarium ideas. I have searched and searched and there seems to be tons of info and pics on tropical and rainforest themed terrariums but nothing on the dryer atmospheres. Sad

So far I have:

10 gallon Terrarium (about 20" X 10" X 10")
2 Plastic plants
1 plastic rock hide
1 water dish
2 stick on thermometers
1 twisty branch thingy
1 separate plastic feeding cage
lots of gorgeous black pebbles from a beach I used to live near (great for holding heat)
1 Terra liner (substrate)

This is only until he grows out of the 10 gal tank....

I just want to know what kind of heat source he will need for sure, and please feel free to let me know of anything else I have missed. Thank you very much Smile

rankindude · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 12:12 am Post subject:

for young snakes a heatmat should be fine situated about 1/3rd of the way of the vivarium controlled by a matstat or pulse thermostat

JAM3S · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 4:43 pm Post subject:

hi, nice choice of first snake Smile

.....just one thing you said you were getting the snake in a week but wouldn't be able to afford all the stuff for a month. The most important stuff you MUST have before purchasing you snake (asides from an enclosure..lol) is a heat mat AND a thermostat. a heat mat without a thermostat could lead to burns on your new snakey or possibly even death. it sounds dramatic but alot of shops will quite happily sell you a heater without a thermostat which is wrong. enjoy your new snake Very Happy

IndiraRose · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 5:30 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys for all your help....I will make sure to get a heat mat and a thermostat when I pick up the snake. Smile