Need some serious advice

[cheryls]

My normally happy, hiding ball - Dakota seems crazy lately. This has happened now and then, but he usually calms quickly. Two weeks ago, he ate a nice meal - digested well - made a lovely poop and since then has been agitated. The main problem is that he keeps pulling out the thermostat wires at night, so when I get up in the morning the hot side is blazing and he's crammed against the tank on the cool side. I've tried everything I can think of trying to avoid taping the probes. I have to work today until 10pm, so I'm quite worried about this evening. My temps and humidity have always been spot on until now and, of course, he won't use his hides. Here's what I've done thus far..
1. bought plastic plants to try and hide the wires and create a safer feeling
2. covered all the glass
3. no handling for the last two weeks

What else can I do? Any ideas?

[FatBoy]

What and how often are you feeding him? How old and big is he? I would suggest placing the probe outside the tank on the heat source, it will take a little tweaking but will be a lot safer for your animal. Measure temps inside the tank with a temp gun, ex. surface temps may be 90* but the t-stat may be set at 101* to maintain 90* in the tank. Definately no tape. The covering of the glass and plants will help if it's a security issue.

[cheryls]

I've steadily fed once a week and because he's so big at this point - I don't know his weight, but he's 5 years old, about 3.5 feet long - I was feeding multiple mice each week - generally 3 adult that one gets in the pet store. His last meal, though, was a very large mouse that I ordered from Rodentpro. They're the biggest ones - breeders. That was two weeks ago. Of course, it never occurred to me to put the probes on the heat source! You're a genius. I think the more the temps are screwed up, the less likely he is to settle and eat again. I'm less concerned about the fact that he hasn't eaten in two weeks, than I am about the heat problem. It's just too darn hot on that hot side in the morning after his evening romp.

[dr del]

Hi,

Yes as mentioned above this is why we recommend having the thermostat probe outside the enclosure whenever possible.

Have you tried using a glue gun to hold the probe in place if you cannot place it outside?


dr del

[FatBoy]

The reason I asked about his eating habits is because they can get over active like that when hungry. Generally an average sized 5 y/o ball should be eating a small/medium rat, considerally more nutrietion than 3 adult mice. Try all the aboved mention plus upping his food to rats.

[cheryls]

Never thought of a glue gun either. I followed the set up on the sticky for a glass enclosure and have threaded the probes through newspaper at the bottom over the heat source on the inside. For over a year, there's never been a problem! At first, I thought it was just a fluke, but now he's doing it every night. He's never been this active really. Now I think we're just stuck in some kind of a vicious cycle. Maybe it's the days and days of rain we've had! I think I can put the probes on the outside, hopefully above the heat source. In the very least I can put it under and then adjust accordingly, but I can probably do above. I do have a heat gun that I use as well, just to check everything in the mornings. Thanks so much for the help!!!

[cheryls]

I've always read that switching food sources could be a challenge, which is why I hadn't switched to rats. He's been eating mice since he was born and we got him as a teeny baby. When I received the new mice in the mail, they were so much bigger than the pet store f/t, I figured we'd be all set! If he doesn't begin to eat them again, I will definitely try rats, but given that I just got the order, I'd rather try and use them up first. I wouldn't, of course, compromise Dakota's health for the sake of frozen mice - but it would be nice not to waste the $$!!!

[kc261]

He'll be fine staying on mice as long as you don't mind feeding multiples in one feeding.

According to rodentpro's website, their XL mice (retired breeders) are roughly 30-50 grams each, so we'll say 40g on average. Again according to rodentpro, a small rat is 45-84 grams. So, 2 of those mice would probably get you to an appropriate sized meal. Also, when feeding my snakes, I count on roughly 25 grams each per young adult mouse, so 2 of the XL mice may be pretty close to 3 of the ones you were previously getting at the pet store.

That's a good starting point, but you can still adjust according to your individual snake. Since you don't breed, he may need a little less food than a 5 yr old male that is using up lots of energy on breeding. Then again, pets may get more exercise due to more handling sessions than snakes in the collection of a breeder. So pay attention to what your snake is telling you, and you'll do fine. And of course come back here and ask questions when in doubt, just like you have been.

[Vypyrz]

I take my scale to the pet store...

[tweets_4611]

As mentioned you can place the probe on the out side of the tank. When I had mine in tanks that's how I had it. I had the thermostat heat probe placed between the heat pad and the bottom of the tank. I ended up having to set my thermostat a touch higher than then temps I had wanted inside, but it works just fine. Until my rack comes in, that's how I have my tubs set up as well.