I don't care what anyone says; Kevin is the man! He lives to bring the best of the best living conditions for his animals to his animals! Love the channel man! Hope you and Brian Barczyk do that open forum together! Later!

So I keep all of my snakes bioactive . I did start off this way though and finding very informative and in depth videos was hard with different species. I think this is amazing for beginner keepers. Very thorough .

You have lots of creative ideas I haven't seen anywhere else! The one where you hollw out underneath the water dish is a great idea!

Hey Kevin , This video is right on the money . I bought a baby Florida Brooks King the day before new years eve . He was in a 10 gallon tank hiding under his water dish . The first thing I did was at the same time , I bought a 40 gallon tank thinking he'd love it . He dove under the substrate and only came out when I took him out . I ended up doing what you suggested out of necessity and covered back and sides completely , and 3/4's of the front with brown paper . Now , I still have to find him , then I hang with him , feed him , etc. , but when I put him back , he stays out much longer , and I understand him better now .

Great video, thank you! I love that you stress that an animal should thrive in captivity, not just survive. Many people forget this and aim only to give the bare minimum for their reptiles.

Great series. I appreciate that you're showing inexpensive options as well as more expensive reptile-centric items. Well done!

This is the guy you listen to if you wanna learn something about reptiles!!!

Funny thing, my Milk Snake almost never uses his hides. He just sits on top of his logs and watches EVERYTHING that's going on in the room. Only ever see him in a hide when he's passed out after a meal.

I love the amount of information you cram into the segment without it being too much. Explanation is as important as the what is actually needed. I actually made a little curtain thing that has a stand, it goes around all 4 sides of the cage, and if I am not in there I don't plan to have the front open. that way its fully closed off and hidden. Side note, glad i'm on the discord.. I know when to go hunt new videos.

I love your idea about creating tunnels under the water dishes and cluttering up the cage to create hide spots. Two ideas I'm definitely going to incorporate into my new king snake setup. Thanks again Kevin. Great video.

I'm so glad you are making these videos now. Suuuuper helpful.

I have been keeping reptiles and amphibians for over 20 yrs now. But I still love to come back to these videos for beginners, especially from NERD to get new fresh ideas for the next time I clean out and refurnished the enclosures. Thanks Kevin and team, you all are the best.

Great info! Thanks Kevin!

Wow! I’m just stumbling on to this after doing 3 weeks of research. Bought my baby girl two days ago. My noodle was out into a perfect environment or so I thought. Heat and humidity are perfect. As well as her basking spot underneath one of the large hides. I had two hides. A water dish. I also had a 1.5 foot noodle in a 20 gallon tank made for reptiles. She has refused the hides except for a short bask in the heat. After watching this vid. I realized it was a vas open world for my little girl. I immediately went out and got another hide along with some fake ferns. I set it up. Within 45 mins of adventuring again. She is finally relaxing in her basking hide. Seems to be staying in as well. I look forward to see that noodle head popping out for dinner in the next couple of days. TYVM

I dont know who's idea this series was guys but it's absolutely epic! Looking forward to the next part honestly!

your one of the best in the biz kev keep the vids coming

You said it all on this one Kevin I’m still relatively new to the hobby been in it for almost 2 years and I have two ball python morphs and I learn Every day. Especially whenever you talked about a snake leaving your facility and then having trouble eating. Things like that happen a lot due to husbandry or a big open caging I am slowly learning all of these things myself videos like this help people like me out a lot thank you so much

A dekays was the first snake I ever had. Brought one in we found in December in Maryland. That little guy was the absolute best. We tried to release him twice after waiting for a warmer day and twice he crawled back into his tank. We kept him for almost a year before he passed. You never hear anyone mention dekays so that brought a smile to my face.

Great video Kevin, keep it up.

Great info Kevin

Kevin! Thank you so much! These videos are giving me a step by step checklist to make sure I have everything before getting my first snake

Very informative Kevin! Keep the vids coming.

Love the videos Kevin. Please keep them coming.

Matt was wonderful! I called about getting a 1st time reptile pet and Matt was sooo informative and accommodating. He gave me the facts, pros and cons. Go Matt!

thank you so much for doing these videos super helpful and full of education. Ilearned a ton of new stuff. A++ work keep it up everyone that is involved in the making of these videos I'll be waiting for the next one

love your dedication and how well you are creating this tutorials keep it up, we need to have people with real good experience to make more of this videos so all owners can learn the proper care fom a successful and experienced keeper/breeder

Great content! I love your suggestion of creating a "hide" out of newspaper. Great idea when conserving finances!

Everybody interested in snakes needs to watch this series of videos, they're spot on

Love your videos

Thanks for this series buying my first boa and this is helping tremendously.

kevin droppin knowledge 👍

Kevin, i think some future videos of snake behavior would be cool if you haven't already covered the topic in previous videos too much. Thanks for another awesome video, sir!

Tried Aspen for a while with my sands but I was just getting poor sheds . Switched to a natural substrate of top soil/playsand/clay . I can lightly mist twice a month and now I'm getting perfect sheds .

I love that this is a politically correct and very informative version of the "hmmm maybe it's not a coffee mug" video. Lol! Again, living for this new video series! Kevin, I appreciate so much that no matter what the topic of discussion, you're always reminding keepers to understand their animal in order to be successful in keeping reptiles and providing quality of life in captivity. Donny, thank you for organizing this series in a way that is concise digestible amounts of information. Keep em coming!🐍🐍

These videos are the best Kevin!!! Thank you so much!! ❤

Fantastic video! I thought I was being a good owner when I got my ball python a nice big tank, then it wouldn’t eat. Put it in a small sterilite tub, BAM, ate the next day!

All it took is to have kevin in more videos for this channel to quickly becoming the best out

Sometime the professionals seem so much more advanced that they can't provide the average hobbyist with basic info. Kevin's using commercially available and aesthetic products and basic info. It's really reassuring to have him go over the bare bones basics.

Excellent advice :) I'm really loving the coconut fiber substrate I switched my Colubrid's off of Aspen and they love the coconut fiber. My larger constrictors definitely print less newspapers or paper liners :) The coconut is excellent for retaining humidity !~! For many years I've gone to my local newspaper office and they bind up stacks of newspapers and give them away for free but I always request the papers without printing on them. I've even chopped up newspaper and mixed it with aspen and my snakes really loved burrowing through that mix :)

Great information on these videos

More snake behavior/snake body language type stuff would be great to know! Thank you for doing these videos!

Great video, great info . love this channel.

Great info Kevin 🤘. Thank you 🙏!

Thanks Kevin, super informative!

Your vids are awesome so educational I love them keep em coming!

Good advice for sure

Loving your videos!! Helped me figure out my heating problem!

One can also make hides out of bleach bottle bottoms cut off, vinegar bottles, and even the bottom cut off cat litter jugs. Have not needed larger yet 😊

Thank you Kevin.

Lots of good info thank u

did you catch an eye....an iguana... baby he was....or is, he ran through my hands in innocence....

Ur absolutely awesomeness love what u all r doing

Really good info

My goal is to research for 6 months to a year before I jump into getting a Ball Python. Currently I am slowly creating a list of stuff that I will need to provide well enriched and healthy life for my future noodle. Thank you for this series. Well done!! I do have a question, if you don't mind. When it comes to BP's regarding heat sources, is a lamp (to help mimic the night/day cycle) and a heat pad okay to use together?

Great info ..... Where can I find out what books you wrote I have one ....I'm trying to learn all I v

Dude, I'm loving these videos man, and damn would I love to get my hands on one of your books ,but shit, I'm so broke all the time. Haha. Hey keep the good work. Love the tips.

Another great video! Real quick question when you're spraying the substrate down with water how much do you want to use? Do you want it to be damp to the touch? Or do you want it to be more on the wet side? How often do you recommend spraying down the substrate? Daily? Or as the humidity level indicates? When putting sticks into the enclosure can you get them from directly outside in your yard? Or do they need to be treated a certain way prior to putting it in the enclosure?

You did sooooo good!!!!!

"Paper might look a little ghetto but.." 😂🤣 loved these ideas. You mentioned animals behaviour sticking its head out the hide. I'm looking for a video on snake behaviour on your channel. If you dont have one. Please make one !:)

I know there is a little chance u to read this but if u do... nice video... I subscribed already, I've got a question for u. What substrate do u use or u recommend for a Boa? Because some say Forest Floor, Coconut Husk, others say paper towel. Keep up the good work man!

can you do a video on different ENCLOUSURES for larger python like burmese python retic and anacondas the different type of one

How about more dart frog info and setups. Is it or isn’t ok to use outdoor driftwood for the enclosures?

Would love one of these for beardies!

Just curious what you’re thoughts on eco earth or other coco based beddings? I feel like I used to see everyone with it but not so much anymore. It may be because I switched from monitors to burms and retics for the most part and maybe I’m just remembering what people used for monitors.

But apparently we are told Cypress isn’t an easily renewable resource. It takes many many years to replenish it and I’m told the hobby adds pressure to tear down old swamp areas where it grows very slowly. ☹️

Does @NERD have any videos like this on smal lizards like bearded dragons?

Im Thinking ... You Should Have Way More Subscribers !!!

Can you make a video about how to care for blue spotted Timor monitors? I’ve been doing research but there’s not a lot of consistency between sites.

Anyone that speaks against Kevin or Nerd just shows their ignorance! It is obvious Kevin has such a passion for reptiles and a knowledge beyond the average man... great info great man!

My cages are super clean , I made the mistake of using aspen (dust free)for some of my snakes and one happened to sneeze “per say” a lot and we were freaking out , ended up as soon as I swapped it out things went great . I believe there is a possibility of allergies maybe or something of that type. She’s growing fast now looks great , a lil fatass now thank goodness. I meant big boned

I have the same thermostat How do I set up for under the tank heating pad for leopard gecko I’m having a hard time trying to figure it out and what temperature I need it at

Question. I see tons of people taking their snake outside to allow It to stretch out and explore. My question is , is it a good idea to put your snake on the ground where you have no idea what types of things could be in that area. Could your snake get mites or something even worse?

I'm gonna use Zoo Med's Aspen Snake Bedding for my 3 baby yellow Anacondas I will purchase in July. I'll keep 2 humid enclosed hides with moss in the cage.

so glad i stumbled upon this channel......how about hognose snakes?

Hay Kevin loved the video great ideas! Question ...I have a Wama python that ive had on paper towel for years now and ide like to give him a more naturalistic enclosure.. what substrate would you suggest I use besides aspen?thx

Okay so I used to have all my snakes on just paper towel and recently switched them over to substrate (pretty positive it's either forest floor or reptichip) im just worried now about them eating and potentially swallowing the substrate now?? or possibly getting mouth rot cause if im honest im not exactly sure what causes it at all? my albino ball has been tunneling around in hers cause i think she's just super excited to be back on substrate (i know im awful i feel really bad about just keeping paper towels and im never switching them back from substrate!!) and its just been worrying me a bit like im thinking shes gonna get some stuck somewhere or something, i know these might be kind of irrational fears but i could really use some advice and peace of mind xD

I've used latex paint, those small sample-sized cans, and reverse-painted the OUTSIDE of glass enclosures - so it looks jungle-like from the inside on several sides, to close off the "exposure issue". Even left small gaps in the painted foliage to get a peek here and there from various sides. Cause it's glass on the INSIDE it's easy to clean. People sometimes don't realize these are ambush hunters, and also are small and meat for larger predators - so they need replication of the hidey-holes they seek in nature to feel secure. It's like swaddling a human infant to soothe it. And cats on top of the enclosure - man, I'd put an end to that right away! Poor baby snake peeks out and sees a "cougar" perched above where it can pounce on her from above... no, no, no! Scat-mat or fly-swatter time! Secure, comfortable, and happy - baby snake grows and thrives.

Kevin join the discord and I’ll buy a blood python when I come to NERD and schedule a tour

What about shredded computer paper?

Is it okay to take the shelter off the snake when you're about to feed them like if they're curled up in when you're about to feed

I stay in a dry climate area. The whole spray bottle method is an absolute joke for me. The only way it would work is if I spray every 20 minutes..... around the clock... everyday lol. I'm forced into having to look for an actual humidifier machine "but wait" I've got to figure out how that thick pipe is going to fit in the enclosure without getting a wire cutter and cutting out a hole to slide it through securely. That seems to be my only recourse as of right now. Am I missing any other options?

I’m struggling to balance my heat and humidity on both the warm and cool side, I have a ceramic heat emitter, a daytime light, and a red light for the nighttime. I am trying to reposition my heat mat. Inside I have a log, forest floor substrate on the warm side, aspen bedding on the cool side, a smaller rock hide, and a water dish. I have about a 25 gallon tank. I’m stuck around 80°F and I can’t get it up past that. I spray the tank several times a day but the humidity will not stay up. Does anyone have any tips on how to fix this?

I wonder if snakes recognize people, do they like to come out and explore, my young ball python seems to like being out, he is busy crawling and flicking his tongue, but maybe i am anthropomorphising. Could you talk about snake temperament,do breeders look at temperament or just color and markings? Do snakes have conformation?(like horses and dogs)... :)

You made a comment about if his head is sticking out of his hide he’s hungry.... my BP is four months old... I think or older. And today is his feeding day. I fed him one live mouse and he’s in his hide with his head out again and I put my finger on the side of the glass hours later and he acted as if he was gonna strike it. Can I feed him two live mice? Could he still be hungry...

What's the best kind of mulch sold at Home Depot to use for substrate? Huge bags for $4.00.

Love the info. Very good informative vid. Only thing that made me cringe was the use of the m- word.🤢🤢

Can u do boas i got aka super sunglow female got 2 high quality het albino s male and female there mom and dad were Sunglow jungle x motley i used Echo thinking about news paper carpet wat u think

What about caging for large snakes? What are the diy options?

How do you guys heat your huge 10x4x4 cages or whatever size you have at NERD?

And i used oil Raiders for my room

And thank you Kevin for helping me with the humidity name josh davis ppl call me boa guy🐍💯

Kevin I need advice my ball python is still very young I got her almost a mouth ago my worry is she's not eating I took the advice from the breeder but still she's not eating. I have changed her housing to something more natural and her humidity and heat are on point. But she's still stessed and she's not willing to eat. I also went 2 weeks with out disturbing her other then to clean her water and change her light from day to night external top light for basking. Any idea what to try next. Breeder said she eats live rats but she is way too shy if you open her tank she balls up and hides her face. She's a butter enchi and she's was born 8 moths ago I am very worried about her so i am asking the guru of reptiles for assistance with advice. Please i don't want my baby to die please help me

Can you use back heat Instead of belly heat? Also do boas poop Everytime they eat ? Thank you big fan

3 inch gang

Kevin, can I put my corn snakes in my bedroom????

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

teach as you will....

Great videos.. THIS is what should show as the first search results in Google. Not Brian. Keep up the great work.

Must be leaking oil lol

O yeah one more 😆 🌈 boa