Snakes not eating after switching to tubs?

[Wadjet]

Hello, I was hoping you guys could help me.

I have two snakes, a 5ft ball python and a young 4ft red tail boa. Since I have plans to get more snakes in the future, I decided to switch to the tub method of housing snakes. I used two glass aquariums beforehand, and quite honestly, they sucked for keeping humidity at the right percentage and were very bulky, so I'm happy to be rid of them them (so far, it is easier with tubs).

I have heard that tub racks are the easiest way to house multiple snakes and also that snakes that like to hide, such as BPs, are more comfortable in tubs, which is what prompted me to make the switch. However, since I switched to the tubs (two weeks ago), both of my snakes have refused food.

Both of my snakes have been great eaters since I got them, my BP has never gone off feed before, he even eats during sheds and my Boa has eaten everything I offered except when he is in shed. I understand that ball pythons are normally picky eaters and it is not abnormal for them to go off feed. However, I've always heard that boas are voracious eaters, and mine always was before this switch. Since they have both gone off feed at the same time, I'm a bit concerned. If this persists for a month, I plan to take them to the vet. However I was interested if anyone here had a simple solution or reason of why they are doing this before I spend money on a vet exam (they had a yearly exam not too long ago, don't want to take them in again if I can avoid it).

Here is my set up:
4 shelf rack, approx 10 ft wide.
Ball python's tub is 6x3 (ft)
RTB's tub is 10x4 (ft)
Using newspaper substrate, I change it whenever it gets wet or when someone poops.
Two hides in each tub, one on hot side, one on cold side.
UTH for each tub.
Water bowl big enough to soak in.
1 rock and branches in each enclosure for shedding.
Humidity 60%, Temp 80-85 degrees with a hot side of 90 degrees (UTH never exceeds 93 degrees)
I've been feeding F/T medium sized rats to both snakes once a week. Neither of my snakes will strike their food, in the past I have always just left it in their enclosure and they will eat it

I normally handle my snakes everyday, except during shed and after feeding. I have been leaving them alone lately however, to let them adjust to the new enclosure and don't plan to handle them until after they eat at least once.

Does anyone know why they are doing this? Is it because they can sense each other nearby and that is stressing them? Is the new enclosure stressing them out? Any thoughts?

[BHReptiles]

First of all, those tubs sound huge. That might be a problem. Also, you completely changed their enclosure, so it will take them a week or two to settle into their new surroundings. If there's a lot of floor space in those tubs, I'd add another hide. It wasn't mentioned, so I'm going to add that you should make sure you have a thermostat for your UTH. If you don't have one, it can get hot enough to melt the tub and burn your snake...not a great combination.

I would just give them another week of no handling before you offer food again.

[Tfpets]

Where did you get tubs that big? Those are some HUGE dimensions! I'd like to see pics!

[Wadjet]

Yep, I have a thermastats, two thermometers, and two humidity gauges. One for each snake enclosure. As I mentioned in the post, the heat pad never exceeds 93 degrees in both enclosures.

The BP is a five foot long female, so I gave her more space, she has a lot of sticks and fake plants in her enclose though so it doesn't seem as open. I forgot to mention, but the red tail boa has a section of his enclosure blocked off until he gets bigger (it is meant to be for his adult size) so he doesn't feel uncomfortable with all the space.


I figured they would need awhile to adjust, I was just surprised since it has already been 2 weeks and they still seem uncomfortable.

Edit: I got the tubs at walmart and I built the shelf myself. I will post pics later.

[BHReptiles]

Yep, I have a thermastats, two thermometers, and two humidity gauges. One for each snake enclosure. As I mentioned in the post, the heat pad never exceeds 93 degrees in both enclosures.

The BP is a five foot long female, so I gave her more space, she has a lot of sticks and fake plants in her enclose though so it doesn't seem as open. I forgot to mention, but the red tail boa has a section of his enclosure blocked off until he gets bigger (it is meant to be for his adult size) so he doesn't feel uncomfortable with all the space.


I figured they would need awhile to adjust, I was just surprised since it has already been 2 weeks and they still seem uncomfortable.

Edit: I got the tubs at walmart and I built the shelf myself. I will post pics later.

I would just give them a little more time. Sometimes drastic change like that can cause them to stop eating. Just don't offer food too often.