New owner with questions

I'm getting my first snake soon, its an adult california king. I was wondering if sterile sand is a suitable substrate?

If not then I think I would go with corn cob bedding as I read at least one person on here uses.

For people who feed freshly killed mice, how do you kill them?

Thanks for any advice.

Hi Lilea!

IMHO, I would steer clear of both (sand could cause an impaction over time if ingested, and corn cob will promote mold growth when it becomes wet) and just go with either aspen bedding, carefresh, or plain ol' paper.

I feed all of my colubrids f/t, but there are a couple of ideas out there on how to build a euthanization chamber for p/killing rodents, here's one (that I used for guidance with mine):
http://www.sammygreggreptiles.com/co2.html

and here are a couple more related links:
http://www.thereddragonsden.com/co2.htm

http://www.alysion.org/euthanasia/

Welcome aboard, and best of luck!!

Originally Posted by TheFragginDragon

Hi Lilea!

IMHO, I would steer clear of both (sand could cause an impaction over time if ingested, and corn cob will promote mold growth when it becomes wet) and just go with either aspen bedding, carefresh, or plain ol' paper.

I feed all of my colubrids f/t, but there are a couple of ideas out there on how to build a euthanization chamber for p/killing rodents, here's one (that I used for guidance with mine):
http://www.sammygreggreptiles.com/co2.html

and here are a couple more related links:
http://www.thereddragonsden.com/co2.htm

http://www.alysion.org/euthanasia/

Welcome aboard, and best of luck!!

Agreed

Thanks)
I don't know about aspen, I just read someones post about their snake dying from ingesting a piece of aspen and thats why they use corn cob... but that doesn't sound like a good option either so maybe I'll go with carefresh, or what about shredded newspaper?

btw do snake tanks get smelly?

Originally Posted by KingGirl

Thanks)
I don't know about aspen, I just read someones post about their snake dying from ingesting a piece of aspen and thats why they use corn cob... but that doesn't sound like a good option either so maybe I'll go with carefresh, or what about shredded newspaper?

btw do snake tanks get smelly?

If you don't feed in the tank with the bedding there is little chance of it ingesting it.

They get smelly if they aren't maintained. Also when your little friends is done recycling the rodent.

Originally Posted by TheFragginDragon

Hi Lilea!

IMHO, I would steer clear of both (sand could cause an impaction over time if ingested, and corn cob will promote mold growth when it becomes wet) and just go with either aspen bedding, carefresh, or plain ol' paper.

I feed all of my colubrids f/t, but there are a couple of ideas out there on how to build a euthanization chamber for p/killing rodents, here's one (that I used for guidance with mine):
http://www.sammygreggreptiles.com/co2.html

and here are a couple more related links:
http://www.thereddragonsden.com/co2.htm

http://www.alysion.org/euthanasia/

Welcome aboard, and best of luck!!

Cool I built one of these once for some pet rats I had. I went with this way http://www.alysion.org/euthanasia/ cause it was waaay cheaper.

I got to say that they work really well. I ended up having to do this because they both developed tumors.

Just make sure you Do Not use Cedar as bedding .. it's Toxic to reptiles.

I personally use a mixture of Aspen and Spagnum moss bedding for my Milksnakes.

I personally use aspen for my king though my vet has instructed me to keep a close eye on his jaws for any pieces that might get lodged. If you think about it, snakes will ingest their substrate in the wild. They aren't eating on dinner plates there. As for feeding, I alternate my snakes food between f/t mice and dove eggs. He sure does love his eggs though!