What do you think is going on with my spider?

I got my spider BP about three weeks ago. She is currently in a rack with an average of 90 degree (hot spot) with a hide and 84 degree (cool spot). It's a 41 qt. tub and the spider weighs about 1000g. She hasn't eaten anything yet even though I tried live and pre-killed hopper mice, live and pre-killed small rat. The last two or three days, I keep finding her in the water bowl and she stays there for hours. I can't figure out what the heck is going on with her. All of my other pythons (nine of them) are acting normally.

By the way, there are no mites in case that's what you're wondering and she doesn't seem to be shedding anytime soon. Help?

Are you absolutely sure that there are no mites? They can be hard to see. This is classic mite behaviour.

If there really aren't any mites she might not feel secure and is trying to use the water dish as a hide.

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Originally Posted by digizure

I tried live and pre-killed hopper mice

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Way too small for a 1000g snake.
What did her last owner feed her?
What bedding do you have her on?
Any mites in the water bowl?

I know the hopper mice is too small. I'm trying to get her to eat anything. The previous owner said she ate live or pre-killed rats. I use white paper towel and I don't see any signs of mites anywhere, on her, in the water bowl or on the paper towel. What I find is really odd is that my other spider is on a food strike as well but at least she doesn't "live" in her water bowl.

If she doesn't have hides, try giving her one or two. She could be using the water bowl as a substitute to make her feel more secure. That same insecurity could be why she is refusing food, also. Give her two weeks alone, with only necessary cleaning and water changes, and then try offering another live small rat. The wait won't hurt her at that size, and might even whet her appetite once she settles in.

In my original post, I did mention that there is a hide. I'll try leaving her alone and hopefully that will help. I'll do the same with the other spider.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by digizure

In my original post, I did mention that there is a hide. I'll try leaving her alone and hopefully that will help. I'll do the same with the other spider.

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Sorry, I even reread your post and missed that. :rolleyes: Maybe squeeze a second hide on the cool side, or just make sure the one she has fits her snugly. Either way, time is probably going to be the key.

Could the overall ambient temp be too high for her thus she is using the water dish to cool down?

Temps sound correct, my guess is the prey size is way too small.
If you're having issues with a snake that size try 3 week old fuzzy rats or small/medium adult mice.
One hide is plenty in a 41qt tub, just give it time and an appropriate sized food item.

I would get a magnifying glass and scope out the water really well after the snakes been in the bowl for hours...
Too hot of ambient temps and mites are the two biggest reasons for soaking

I have 1100g bp's in V-18 tubs (~8qt) and they love it. I generally don't move them over to the 41qt tubs until they're over 1100g and getting close to breeding size. I just moved my 1100g Pied girl from a V-18 to a V-70, 41qt tub and I'm hoping it doesn't throw her off feeding too long. Try a smaller tub for kicks.