bluedragon
Well-Known Member
hi all i just want to ask if beach sand is safe to use for a python enclosure and a blue tonge skink enclosure is it safe or not because of all the salt in it
cheers jake
cheers jake
yeah but what about the wild pythons in dirt ?
Can you explain why zoos use sand (usually red sand) in their enclosures while I'm guessing they have a combined experience of more than the average keeper of experience?Wild pythons rarely live on "dirt." They climb, they live in rock outcrops, they live in hollow logs, but they do not spend most of their time on sand. As has been pointed out to you already, sand is not a satisfactory substrate for captive pythons, or for most snakes actually. Sand is cold, especially during winter, it blocks up their heat-pits, it gets caught in their mouths, and it can be swallowed in large quantities when they are eating. Nobody with keeping experience uses, or would ever recommend sand in a python enclosure.
Jamie
If you think about it, us humans also get agitated especially when sand gets stuck in the board shorts on your waste.Thinking logically, wild snakes would come into contact with sand/ dirt and it would be okay, but I don't think its worth using as a substrate for captives due to the reasons mentioned above.
A friend of mine thought they'd give reptile sand a go for their woma python (being a desert snake and all), but within a few days the woma was agitated and pissed off and struggled to shed (sand removed immediately). She even fed the woma away from the sand.
Can you explain why zoos use sand (usually red sand) in their enclosures while I'm guessing they have a combined experience of more than the average keeper of experience?
Not saying you're wrong but I think for some carpet species there wouldn't be a problem?
Edit: also from my experience with sand it's usually quite hot in the middle of the day
I know well of how reptiles are kept BTS, using everyday enclosures that regular ppl use with easy to clean/swap out equipment.Champion, it would be wise to take the advice offered by Jamie (pythoninfinite) he's probably got more keeping experience than most, if not all, zookeepers employed in the herp section of zoos. In fact if you want to combine the experience of the more experienced keepers on this site they would well eclipse the keeping experience of current zookeepers by hundreds of years.
As a keeper you are responsible for the welfare of your animals and as it has already been mentioned, due to the high probability that it may cause damage to the animal, sand is not a suitable substrate for Carpets (or bluetongues). I can appreciate that you may wish to make the enclosure look as natural as possible but this can be achieved without the use of sand (or for that matter dirt) by using clean leaf litter. Snakes don't care about what their enclosure looks like, they're only concerned with being provided with a warm basking spot & heat gradient, suitable food items, drinking water and a safe place to tuck themselves away. Adding aesthetics to make the enclosure look nice and natural is chiefly only for the benefit of the keeper. In saying that there are some specialist species that do require some natural substrate elements included in their enclosure to contribute to their wellbeing (but they sure aren't carpets)
When displaying animals, zoos are required to make the enclosure look as close to the natural environment as possible (hence the use of red sand for desert species) but be assured that those animals off display are kept in clean sterile environments.
All the best,
George.
I know well of how reptiles are kept BTS, using everyday enclosures that regular ppl use with easy to clean/swap out equipment.
You have a point with the all non zookeepers beating zookeepers in terms of knowledge how ever the numbers are stacked against, plus you have people who have no reputation and pretty much no say in what's "suitable" for species without being taken seriously (some things I have said in the past for example)
Keepers live and breathe herps with some specialising in different areas, discovering new things, constantly working with their animals to provide the best they can.
I think majority of people from newbies to experts know you can keep carpets for their whole life on paper and a branch with bask spot and a hide (and food+water) but enrichment is fun.. maybe not keeping the animal for ever on sand but adding sand to half the enclosure for a week or so? Really wouldn't hurt if you are looking after your babies and doing daily visual checks
Damn ok didn't see that coming :OI think you underestimate the experience of those that I am referring to. Most if not all have worked in zoos, reptile parks and wildlife parks at some time in their lives while others also have vast experience in the field and in museums and have learnt through our own and others mistakes. Personally I've worked with reptiles as a keeper and demonstrator for the ARP and in private zoos. I'm a former president of the AHS and founding member of the HHS, team leader of NSW NPWS reptiles surveys and author of species profiles for the same. I also owned and operated a live reptile display. I know what I'm talking about and have full confidence in the advice given here by others of a similar background. Believe it or not but we also live and breath reptiles.
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