Hide question ?

[trott]

So i've been trying a few hides of different sizes and shapes and she doesn't seem to like any of them. The ones that look like fake rocks and some home made (starting to get a little stock pile). I know they like to be cramped so i tried some small/tight ones as well.

What she likes to do is cram herself between the hide and the glass of the tank under the fake foilage ,which she seems to really prefer. I've got fake foilage over both hides.
I've only had her for about 3 1/2 weeks and i give each hide about 4 days for her to try.

My temps are 90 in the warm and 80 in the cool side, with dimmers on both ends and an acu-rite measuring both. So hopefully it's not a temp thing.

Any thoughts ?

[FatBoy]

Simply sounds like a security issue. Is the enclosure in a high traffic area? What type enclosure are you using?

[Freakie_frog]

Here's something to check out.
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=45693

[L.West]

Just a suggestion but I bought two black hides from Walmart (they are actually called bed risers) in the housewares section - you get a set of four for very cheap - take a sodering iron and burn an opening in them - your good to go. Of course, my snake isn't full grown but she is 516 grams and about 32" long right now and she loves them.

Just an idea.

Hope this helps.

[trott]

Hey Fatboy . Thanks for the reply.
Yes, it is in a high traffic area. Unfortunately it's a 1 bedroom condo so my whole place is pretty high traffic. I'm thinking about moving her out to the living room(from my bedroom). Might be a little less there. The enclosure is a 15L(weird size, i know) glass.
It's almost like she prefers being hidden behind the foilage and wedged ??

Thanks L.West.

[FatBoy]

I would suggest covering the back and sides of the tank with paper and moving him to the least trafficed area of the house. Let me know if this helps.

[trott]

Wow, thats a tight fit. Balls def. don't get Claustrophobic.

[skaplan86]

The orientation of the hides may also help a bit. I have my snake in a 50g, which is too big but its all I got. I used to have his hides turned so I could see into them cuz I liked to look at him. He wouldn't go in them. Now I have them turned so his entrance is actually towards the back of the cage and he uses em all the time. He probably feels 10x more secure in them because he doesn't look out them into a giant room.

Also check the temp in the hides. Its wierd but the temp inside my warm hide is almost 3 degrees warmer than the area outside it. I'm sure there is a diff on the cool side as well, but since my snake is finally happy I just leave his habitat alone.

[Dragoon]

The orientation of the hides may also help a bit. I have my snake in a 50g, which is too big but its all I got. I used to have his hides turned so I could see into them cuz I liked to look at him. He wouldn't go in them. Now I have them turned so his entrance is actually towards the back of the cage and he uses em all the time. He probably feels 10x more secure in them because he doesn't look out them into a giant room.

Also check the temp in the hides. Its wierd but the temp inside my warm hide is almost 3 degrees warmer than the area outside it. I'm sure there is a diff on the cool side as well, but since my snake is finally happy I just leave his habitat alone.

I have the hides opening facing me so I can see where he (my snake) is for feeding. Now every time I look in at him he thinks he is about to be fed and sticks his head out and starts looking around. Anyway, i had that problem but now I use the black poster board around the back and sides and he is in a small alcove that is only a few feet across. haven't had a problem since.

[trott]

Thanks. I've got her tank covered in black foam, except the front. I bougt a new stand from target last night, nicer and cheaper(50 bucks) than a pet store. So i'm going to assemble it and put the enclosure in a new location. Thanks for the tips and keep u posted..