New owner here, need some advice

Hey, I just got a bp from a friend who gave up on it after 2 months cause it wouldn't eat. The pet store he got it at said they had it 3 weeks and it never ate. So it hasn't eaten for a long time...... I got it April 26 and have the cage set up according to the research I've done. 20 gal tank, UTH with hide over it on warm end, another hide on cool end, 2 water dishes (trying to get humidity up), blue light over hide on warm end. I've held him just a few times, to check him out and such. Eyes are clear, skin bright. I'm not very "educated" about bp's, though I cared for a fox snake and a bull snake (both about 4 1/2 ft long) while in college. I know these 2 snakes are not as particular as far as care goes when compared to a ball.

My friend (the previous owner) probably didn't have the proper temp/humidity ect. He really didn't know what temp the cage was at cause the gauge fell off the glass. He had no humidity gauge at all and no UTH. I'm hoping these are the reasons the snake didn't eat for him. I'm doing my best to right the wrongs and crossing my fingers that damage hasn't been already done. I'm gonna try feed a f/t fuzzy mouse on May 3 (will be 1 week of having him). He seems healthy, maybe a touch thin though.......

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Props to you for taking the little guy in and trying to get him set up properly. What are your temps now, and what are you using to measure them? A 20gal is fairly big for a young BP, and sometimes all that open space can make them feel insecure. I would suggest either covering three sides or adding a bunch of fake vines or crumpled paper (less attractive, but economical) to make the enclosure feel more secure.

Also, leave him alone for a few days before trying to feed, since he has a history of refusing. Feed in his enclosure. If you are going to try f/t first, you can try the "zombie dance" but if that doesn't work try leaving the f/t prey item in overnight. Some BPs are shy eaters. If he doesn't take f/t, you may want to wait at least 5 days and try a live prey item.

I would also try something bigger than a mouse fuzzy. A hopper or small mouse would be a better choice. My hatchlings take mouse hoppers for their first feeding, so I guarantee your guy can eat something bigger than that.

I have a temp/humidity gauge(s) on the side of the tank. I have a laser temp gun that reads 93 or so on top of the hide that is under the blue light. Inside his hide is about 85ish. I have the UTH under the main hide. The cool side is around 75ish. Humidity is around 55% today. I was using a heat bulb during the day and the blue light at night. But I realized (today) the day time bulb was drying the tank and possibly stressing the snake. So now I will leave the blue one on day/night. The humidity has gone up in the hours since I put the blue light on. I work EARLY hours, so I go to bed about 7pm, before his "active" time. My husband gets home from his job around 1am. He said the snake is usually out and about when he gets home, so that is a good sign. I will get some greens for the tank this weekend.

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Patience i just got a female pastel who my friend said it wouldnt eat and it was goin on a 6 month fast so i put the temp higher and she ate for me last night ... i would definatly go with something bigger than a fuzzy mouse

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If you don't already you really need a thermostat controlling your uth, they can get very hot unregulated and burn the snake.

Yeah, what I have as far as supplies go is everything he gave me. I bought the UTH and the gauges. I'll get greens and a thermostat this weekend. Since I never opened the fuzzies, I wonder if I can return them to Petsmart...... Should I go for hoppers or weanlings? The snake really isn't as big as it looks in the pic. I have small hands, lol

I would try a live mouse just to get him going. Then after a few feedings you can try to switch him to f/t. And a fuzzy mouse is too small...either a hopper size or a bit bigger...

Offered him a fuzzy, he ate it without hesitation! I gave him just 1 tonight, since its been awhile since he ate (at least 3 months). Should I offer another fuzzy tomorrow night, or wait till next Saturday? I want to use up the fuzzies (5 left) then I will switch to a size larger.

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Originally Posted by mbrady

Offered him a fuzzy, he ate it without hesitation! I gave him just 1 tonight, since its been awhile since he ate (at least 3 months). Should I offer another fuzzy tomorrow night, or wait till next Saturday? I want to use up the fuzzies (5 left) then I will switch to a size larger.

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Awesome! He ate! good sign, My snake went into a fast from January all the way until last week where it ate 3 large mice :D
I recommend blacking out the sides of the tank so the snake feels more secure

I'm gonna put some greens in today. I wanted to wait till he ate before messing around in the cage too much.