Feeding every two weeks? And question about temp probe
We adopted a year old female ball python. She was 1 on May 8th. I learned quite a bit just lurking before we got her. She was on a kind of dirt substrate and had 1 hide that was too small and a Uth without a thermostat. She is on paper towel and aspen which we may change out because I'm worried about impactaction down the line. We ordered two new hides and I got a thermostat and purchased the thermometer from Walmart I saw mentioned. Humidity and temps are what I have seen mentioned on here. She needs a slightly bigger tub but I'm changing and adding things in stages so we don't stress her too much.
When I talked to the girl that had her she said she fed her every two weeks. After reading more I'm really wondering if this is not what is best for her. She weighs 460 grams. The f/t rats I am giving are between 40-42 grams according to the package. She ate with no problem last Friday. According the the girls feeding directions she is not due till next Friday. Should she be fed more often?
Also a question where to put the probe for the thermometer and thermostat. I have it under the paper towels right on the bottom of the tub. Good or not?
Thank you in advance
Re: Feeding every two weeks? And question about temp probe
You can feed her every 5 days an amount equal to 10%-15% of her body wait. Just make sure the feeder item isn't any bigger in diameter than the largest part of her body. Once she hits about 600 to 700 gms you can cut her back to once a week.
The thermostat probe should be positioned over the hot spot as should the thermometer probe. If you want to make sure it stays securly in place you can hot glue it down in the tank. If you are using a rack system, position the thermostat probe so the tub will not dislodge it when sliding in and out. The thermometer probe should still be over the hotspot inside the tub.
Re: Feeding every two weeks? And question about temp probe
Quote:
Originally Posted by
rlditmars
You can feed her every 5 days an amount equal to 10%-15% of her body wait. Just make sure the feeder item isn't any bigger in diameter than the largest part of her body. Once she hits about 600 to 700 gms you can cut her back to once a week.
The thermostat probe should be positioned over the hot spot as should the thermometer probe. If you want to make sure it stays securly in place you can hot glue it down in the tank. If you are using a rack system, position the thermostat probe so the tub will not dislodge it when sliding in and out. The thermometer probe should still be over the hotspot inside the tub.
The feeder size looked like it was the right size and I was glad to see the weight listed on the package. I will try and feed her tonight then.
Both are positioned right over the hot spot and the one had a suction cup the temp probe had self peel stickie.
Thanks for the reply!
Re: Feeding every two weeks? And question about temp probe
Well I dangled the f/t rat for like two seconds before she snatched it. After looking over the feeding cards more it looks like sometimes she went 3 almost 4 weeks without a feeding. She never wrote that she refused a feeding during those times :confusd:
Re: Feeding every two weeks? And question about temp probe
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Michelle Tonkinson
The feeder size looked like it was the right size and I was glad to see the weight listed on the package. I will try and feed her tonight then.
Both are positioned right over the hot spot and the one had a suction cup the temp probe had self peel stickie.
Thanks for the reply!
If the brand is "Arctic Mice" or "Arctic Rat" the weight is for the entire box, not each, just to warn ya. But yes, as has been said, 10-15% of her body weight every 5 days is perfect for now. Then after 1,000g or so you can move to a 7 day schedule. And your probes should be placed under the substrate above the UTH. Don't use tape to hold it down as it can peel up and get stuck to your snake (don't wanna risk injuring them). Hot glue works pretty good.
Re: Feeding every two weeks? And question about temp probe
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kitedemon
I would not advocate paper towels if you google 'snake paper towel ingestion' the reason is clear accidental ingestion of paper towel is very serious often resulting in death. It cannot be passed and does happen on occasion. IMO the most dangerous substrate.
Really?? If you really think paper towels are the most dangerous substrate then I would recommend using no substrate at all! God forbid they just start eating it...
Aspen ingestion is no big deal. A few pieces here and there aren't going to hurt it.
Majority of keepers here use some sort of paper substrate. Thinking it is the most dangerous substrate is kind of ridiculous. Sure accidents do happen, but using newspaper vs. paper towel isn't going to change that. Just watch your snakes while they are eating and make sure they aren't eating the substrate.
I use paper towels in all my enclosures. Have been for the past 4 years with not one single issue. Not saying it won't happen, but I don't expect all my snakes to start eating the paper towel one day.
Sorry I just think this is not the best piece of advice. Paper towel is not a death sentence.
Re: Feeding every two weeks? And question about temp probe
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AK907
If the brand is "Arctic Mice" or "Arctic Rat" the weight is for the entire box, not each, just to warn ya. But yes, as has been said, 10-15% of her body weight every 5 days is perfect for now. Then after 1,000g or so you can move to a 7 day schedule. And your probes should be placed under the substrate above the UTH. Don't use tape to hold it down as it can peel up and get stuck to your snake (don't wanna risk injuring them). Hot glue works pretty good.
I actually double checked it last night and it said each rat was at least 40 grams each. The probe for the thermostat has a suction cup and right next to it is the temp probe. It's the one suggested from Walmart it had a very small self peel sticky about half the size of my pinky nail. I do have craft glue that is low temp so it won't melt the plastic so I will glue it down in a couple days after the two day wait period since she just ate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kitedemon
I would NOT use any sort of take or STICKY inside a snake enclosure! EVER!!! Personally I would remove this now. Adhesive on snakes is bad news and somehow they always let go. I don't stick down probes for thermometers I just toss them under the hides and let it go. If I was to stick a probe down (hot glue with snake absent) I would strongly encourage to do the whole wire. This way the snake cannot get tangled up in the cable as it is fastened on the floor and where it enters the enclosure.
I would not advocate paper towels if you google 'snake paper towel ingestion' the reason is clear accidental ingestion of paper towel is very serious often resulting in death. It cannot be passed and does happen on occasion. IMO the most dangerous substrate.
I personally feed weekly I an not stuck on an exact schedule either sometimes if a snake is out 'hunting' I will sneak in an extra feeding or if they show no interest I don't even offer. If you pay attention to the snake they will let you know what they want.
actually I was wondering about getting caught in the wire. I had not heard about the injesting it but I just feel safer with it at this time after looking at other threads of cage/tub enclosures and to keep her from actually being against the bottom or disturbing the probe. I'll be taking care of the stickie in a couple days for sure though.
I plan on doing a 5-7 day schedule or if we do see her out I need a little flexibility just in case I'm not around. My husband refuses to feed her and I'm not comfortable with my 9 year old doing it. She is still in the adjustment period phase especially with the changes we are making so we really don't see her too much yet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kaorte
Really?? If you really think paper towels are the most dangerous substrate then I would recommend using no substrate at all! God forbid they just start eating it...
Aspen ingestion is no big deal. A few pieces here and there aren't going to hurt it.
Majority of keepers here use some sort of paper substrate. Thinking it is the most dangerous substrate is kind of ridiculous. Sure accidents do happen, but using newspaper vs. paper towel isn't going to change that. Just watch your snakes while they are eating and make sure they aren't eating the substrate.
I use paper towels in all my enclosures. Have been for the past 4 years with not one single issue. Not saying it won't happen, but I don't expect all my snakes to start eating the paper towel one day.
Sorry I just think this is not the best piece of advice. Paper towel is not a death sentence.
I will keep an eye on paper towels. I just use it as a safety measure to try and prevent her from getting into direct contact with the bottom or probes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kaorte
Another suggestion for the OP: I would take the thermoSTAT probe and stick it to the outside of the UTH. This is a personal preference for me, some people do it differently but I will explain why. In the event that the snake moves the thermostat probe off the UTH, or pees on it, or poops on it, it will give the thermostat a false reading. The thermostat will think the heater is colder than it is and start blasting the UTH, which could burn the snake.
:)
Thank you for this idea. I would prefer one less wire in her enclosure.
Thank you again everyone for your ideas and opinions. I really appreciate them.:gj:
