Fresh Bedding and a new Hide

[Nutriaitch]

did a full tank cleaning and put some fresh bedding for Ragnar this morning.
also got him a new hide (because hey, why not?)

He has not stopped investigating yet
this is by far the most active we've seen him at this time of day.

here is his scoping out the new hide:

[Homebody]

did a full tank cleaning and put some fresh bedding for Ragnar this morning.
also got him a new hide (because hey, why not?)

He has not stopped investigating yet
this is by far the most active we've seen him at this time of day.

here is his scoping out the new hide:

That's a really nice looking piece of enclosure furnishing, but I wouldn't call it a hide. Tough to hide in something with a door that large. I would characterize it as a ledge that provides some cover. It's a great addition, as long as it's not replacing a warm or cool side hide.

[Armiyana]

Big agree.
Looks great, but if he doesn't have a hide he's comfortable in he may stress. I hope he finds it to his liking though!

[Nutriaitch]

That's a really nice looking piece of enclosure furnishing, but I wouldn't call it a hide. Tough to hide in something with a door that large. I would characterize it as a ledge that provides some cover. It's a great addition, as long as it's not replacing a warm or cool side hide.

Big agree.
Looks great, but if he doesn't have a hide he's comfortable in he may stress. I hope he finds it to his liking though!

I dug it in deeper into the bedding (and piled more into it) so the opening is nowhere near as large. opening is mow more in live with those half log types you see at per stores
he seems to be enjoying it so far.

[Homebody]

Where did you get it?

[Bogertophis]

I dug it in deeper into the bedding (and piled more into it) so the opening is nowhere near as large. opening is mow more in live with those half log types you see at per stores
he seems to be enjoying it so far.

I agree with the previous posts- & those "half logs" are not proper hides for BPs either- they're way too open for a shy BP to feel secure. They should only be considered as extra cage furniture, not hides that replace those hides that are cozy.

I know it's fun to watch a snake explore new furnishings, but keep in mind that's all it is- not a properly "secure" hide. And a lot of activity from a BP may mean they're stressed, rather than having what we'd call "fun".

[Nutriaitch]

he hasn’t had a true “hide” yet.
he had some plants he sorta hid under and a bridge looking thing that he climbed but rarely went under.

i dig this as deep in bedding as i could and found a cool looking branch i trimmed to make a “door” for him leaving a small opening and covering rest of hole.

the new bedding got his humidity up to where it needs to be (i’m in the desert so was struggling to keep it up).

i really wish i had found this place before i bought him.
the research i did online before hand really didn’t help as much as i hoped.
the questions i have aren’t any i though to google prior. now that im looking for more specific info, im finding a ton of it.

so again, thank you all.

[Bogertophis]

In the past, I've lived many years in the desert. Humidity is going to be a challenge for you with this snake, especially if you're trying to keep the whole enclosure humid. Best bet is to make a "humid hide"- with a (new!) large plastic food container big enough for your snake with a snap on lid. Cut a doorway hole in it, & keep it half-filled with moist sphagnum moss. You'll have to re-moisten it every few days to once a week when it dries out, but it will stay humid much better than the whole enclosure will.

Note- the "humid hide" should be midway or on the cool side- not on the warm end, & it does NOT replace the cozy cool & warm hides (-those are dry). BPs aren't the easiest snakes to keep- despite all the sources saying they're "great beginner snakes"- because they need higher warmth & higher humidity (that the warmth chases away)- it's hard to get their conditions just right. Plus they're shy snakes that aren't always easy to feed- they rely more on warmth of their prey (because they use their heat sensing pits to decide what's edible) so you end up warming f/t prey for them. But you'll get there... & the trade off is that they're docile & pretty snakes that stay a comfortable size to handle easily.

[Nutriaitch]

well i live in the desert now, but as a native of extreme south east Louisiana, i can promise that warmth and humidity can coexist with no issues

[Bogertophis]

well i live in the desert now, but as a native of extreme south east Louisiana, i can promise that warmth and humidity can coexist with no issues

I know what you mean. When it comes to housing snakes (especially those that like it very warm), the real "secret" is minimizing the air circulation to keep in the humidity. But the larger the enclosure, the harder it gets, even then.