Odd shed behavior

So my little female was fed on Monday, she has started to blue, so here comes the shed. But my concern is the fact the she is hiding under the substrate (paper towels), the humidity is right, hot and cool sides of the tub are right, she has hides but ignores them and goes under the substrate to hide. She's been there since I fed her Monday. She moves from hot to cool like normal, but remains underneath. Is this a problem or should I just leave it be and she'll be fine?

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Originally Posted by TxSnakeHunter

So my little female was fed on Monday, she has started to blue, so here comes the shed. But my concern is the fact the she is hiding under the substrate (paper towels), the humidity is right, hot and cool sides of the tub are right, she has hides but ignores them and goes under the substrate to hide. She's been there since I fed her Monday. She moves from hot to cool like normal, but remains underneath. Is this a problem or should I just leave it be and she'll be fine?

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I'm totally not the expert on bps, but from what I've gathered, they usually hide before they shed. What hides are you using? All I know is that they tend to not be out and about. Also, did you increase humidity?

Like I said, you'll probably get better advice from a more experienced person. But just trying to help you out a little

When a snake insists on going under the substrate to hide, it probably means their hides are too "tall" inside...lacking a snug feeling (aka "back pressure).
You can often improve such hides by loosely crumpling a paper towel or two & putting them inside, so they feel more closed-in. All snakes prefer hides that
have only one doorway (not open at either end), not too big of a doorway, and where the hide feels like a cave that doesn't have enough room for a predator
to sneak in with them.

For the moment, I'd leave her be...it would only stress her to be pulled out from her hiding place. It's unusual for a BP to hide under the substrate...it's more
typical of king snakes & others.

when my eldest male started doing this, i realized it was a sign that his current hides were insecure for him. turns out he felt he outgrew them, so i got bigger ones and he stopped "digging".

just my little anecdote. [emoji4]

Sounds similar to a problem my BP had when she had to choose between a half log and pangea hides, she would only ever stay in the Pangaea(despite it being on the hot-side of the tank.) I can recommend going and getting some of these hides as well if it is indeed a hide insecurity. They are also boatloads cheaper than any hide I have found at a pet store.

Also not as much of an expert but I try to help and gain more experience by reading all these posts and seeing solutions that worked.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

When a snake insists on going under the substrate to hide, it probably means their hides are too "tall" inside...lacking a snug feeling (aka "back pressure).
You can often improve such hides by loosely crumpling a paper towel or two & putting them inside, so they feel more closed-in. All snakes prefer hides that
have only one doorway (not open at either end), not too big of a doorway, and where the hide feels like a cave that doesn't have enough room for a predator
to sneak in with them.

For the moment, I'd leave her be...it would only stress her to be pulled out from her hiding place. It's unusual for a BP to hide under the substrate...it's more
typical of king snakes & others.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

when my eldest male started doing this, i realized it was a sign that his current hides were insecure for him. turns out he felt he outgrew them, so i got bigger ones and he stopped "digging".

just my little anecdote. [emoji4]

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I agree with both above replies. The hides are likely inadequate. Whether too big, too small, not sure, can't see them and the snake.

But in the meantime, just let her be. She's just fine doing things her way. No need to intervene.

Thanks for the replies, makes sense now. Her hides are too big. It was a quick DIY job out of plastic containers. After she sheds I'll have new smaller hides put in.