Avoiding Hides

[TanyaL]

I've changed out the substrate tonight from repti-bark to aspen and treated hides with zoo med's mite off. Since then, she has not gone near her hides.

I have since cleaned the hides with soap and water and rinsed extra well. Any ideas why she might be avoiding them? The temps are in the target range as is the humidity. All changed took place while she was in her feeder tank. She was out and about for probably the first hour and now she has settled in to the front corner of the tank.

Do you think that maybe we should have waited to change out her substrate until after she has digested? The more I think of it, the worse I feel.

[juddb]

If your husbandry is up to par at the moment then i would suggest you let her do her thing, and leave her alone for a week. She will find her hides trust me. Does she have mites at the moment?

[TanyaL]

Does she have mites at the moment?

I'm afraid that she does! The past couple of days she has been soaking and I've seen little tiny black dots in the water. Until I get PAM, I had to get what was available at the store. I was going to treat her tonight but my son forgot and fed her anyhow. I was too afraid to treat her after feeding in fear of her regurging.

In addition to not putting her bark, branch and greenery back, I also added some scrapbook paper to the back of the tank with intentions of her feeling more secure (and so she wouldn't have to see my son's motocross boarder). Do you think that maybe it was too much change at once? I don't have a problem at all leaving her alone for a while if that is what it's going to take. I was mainly worried about the zoo med stuff.

I'll keep a close watch on her and see how she does.

[GirDance]

If she has mites, you might want to change out the Aspen for paper towel until you can get a hold of some PAM. It will leave less nooks and crannies for them to lay eggs in.

As for not using the hides, she is most likely stressed because of the mites... You've made the husbandry changes to try to get her better, so don't feel so bad about it.

[TanyaL]

If she has mites, you might want to change out the Aspen for paper towel until you can get a hold of some PAM. It will leave less nooks and crannies for them to lay eggs in.

I would use paper towels but I'm worried about the UTH. How can I be sure that it doesn't get too hot? I can't afford to buy anything just yet but can in the next few weeks. Do you have any recomendations on a thermostat that's not too expensive? Right now we take turns keeping an eye on her temps. I only sleep every other night so I've got half of the week covered but like last night, the temps dropped too low. The dimmer switches are great, provided I can keep a constant watch. I really need something better.

As for not using the hides, she is most likely stressed because of the mites... You've made the husbandry changes to try to get her better, so don't feel so bad about it.

Prior to today's changes she has been in her hides full time other than when she was soaking so I wouldn't think it's because of the mites. Or could I be wrong?