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Step 1
Unplug electrical appliances like the heater pad and heating lamp.
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Step 2
Carefully remove the hood or top of the tank.
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Step 3
Gently take hold of your snake and place it in a temporary container. Make sure there is clean water in a dish in that container. You may add some crumpled-up newspaper for your snake to hide under.
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Step 4
Remove decorations, the food bowl and the water dish from the tank.
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Step 5
Using a spoon or ladle, scoop up the old substrate and discard it in a plastic bag.
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Step 6
Spray the inside of the tank with clean water and wipe down with paper towels.
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Step 7
Rinse off the food bowl, water dish and decorations with clean water.
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Step 8
Add 2 to 3 inches of new substrate to the snake tank.
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Step 9
Place decorations, the food bowl and water dish back in the tank.
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Step 10
Fill water dish with clean tap water. Add a few drops of chlorine or chloramine remover to the water as chemicals found in tap water may be harmful to your snake.
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Step 11
Spray the substrate with a fine mist of clean water. Make sure that this water is also treated with chlorine or chloramine remover. Stir the substrate and spray another fine mist again. However, do not over-spray until the substrate is wet. It just needs to be moist in order to maintain the humidity of your snake's tank.
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Step 12
Wipe down the outside of the tank with clean water and paper towels.
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Step 13
Plug in electrical appliances and turn them back on.
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Step 14
Carefully transfer your snake back into its tank.
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Step 15
Clean out the temporary holding container..














Comments
Shyjohn said
on 7/9/2008 I have a nine foot boa. I use bath towels as "substrate". My pal never knew the forest, they're all born in captivity. Popsicle sticks work great for the crusty stuff, and won't scratch plastic. He went four months once without eating, in the wintertime, and I warmed him up, with 60 watt light bulbs. I also heard that they sometimes fill up on water, so take the bowl out for a day or two before feeding.
sandybeach said
on 12/25/2007 I have a 4' ball python who is extremely finicky. I have been his owner for 15 years - not the easiest. Please write if things get difficult!