Caging Question

[Flirtycuddle]

I put my new ball in a rubbermaid container that is opaque and have 2 hides(one on the cool side and one on the warm), the water bowl in the middle, and Aspen bedding. My question is I put holes in the top of the lid...is that bad? Should I just cover the holes with tape or buy a new one and put the holes in the side instead. Also the previous owner said that it would need to eat in 3-4 days but it's going on 5 and he has yet to even seem interested in the mouse I have. I am feeding the feeders you can buy at PetCo for 2 bucks.

[Ginevive]

Hm.. sometimes the holes in the lid can get larger and enable the snake to escape if he tries hard enough. It's a tough call; I would be leary of using tape, because the humidity could unsticken it, and also it would be a really bad situation if your snake came in contact with the tape!
Are the holes jagged, or are they just small punch holes? If you punched them in with, say, a pen, they should be OK. Alot of people (myself included) use a soldering gun to melt small holes in the sides or lid of the rmaid; just don't start a fire!
I would wait at least 2 weeks before trying to feed, so yer snake can settle in and get comfy in its new home. No handling either for awhile.
What are your temps/etc?

[Flirtycuddle]

The holes are made with a pen kinda thing so they arent jagged and arent big enough for him to get out of or able to make it bigger I dont think. The temps are 90 on the hot side and 80 on the cooler side with hiddy holes on both ends and the humidity is about 60%. He's only been in the tank for 3 days to cuz I made the mistake of putting a 2 1/2 foot or so snake in a 10 gallon at first. He is now in 20gallon container that has lots of stuff to take up space. I dont use any over head lighting either even though the previous owner was using that. I use an uth with a lil space between it and the tank to. What size mouse should I be feeding him if its 2 1/2 feet long?

[elevatethis]

What size mouse should I be feeding him if its 2 1/2 feet long?

Don't you mean, "what sized rat?" A bp at 2.5' in length should be able to eat a small rat, or at least multiple full-adult sized mice.

[Flirtycuddle]

The person I bought it from told me to feed it in 3-4 days a feeder mouse. Would that be one reason it wont eat? The food is to small?

[ivylea77]

I'm knew to owning BP's as well, but I can give you the advice that many have been giving me. Leave your BP alone for at least a week that includes no feeding. It most likely is not eating because its stressed and adjusting to a new enviroment. As far as feeding the rule of thumb is one rodent the same girth or slightly larger then the thickest part of your snake once a week.

Try taking some sheets of newspaper, and ball it up, and put it in the cage.I've been told it makes the snake feel more secure, and more likely to eat.

Make sure when it does eat, not to hold it for 48 hours after it's meal.

Hope this helps

[DrEwTiMe]

Ya its up to yo which you feed your snake. I have a 3 foot snake and i feed her 2 full size mice every week.

If you are going to buy a new top i totally agree with gin about usingthe sodering gun. I used that to make a enterence out of a hide i was making and it worked great. Also if you do not hve one, try makein the holes in the top but open the container and punch them throught from the bottom so even if they are jagged it will be on top( the part you touch) not what the snake will coem in contact with from inside the cage.