Small Concern

Hey guys

Ive got a small concern with my Normal BP, Hisstopher, hes just shy of 4 months old. I have had him for 2 months and never seen any signs that concern me until now. Based on all the info I gathered leading up to me buying him he is happy and things were good. Hes been cruising the tank for almost three hours, that Ive noticed, 1PM-4PM. Hes due for a feeding in 2 days but his behavior is similar to how he acts at night in the days leading up to a feed so hopefully thats it but I figure a quick post wouldnt hurt. Snake and tank specs are listed below

160 grams as of today and somewhere around 22 inches long (4months old)
Has been feeding like a champ, every week, on small mice (12-19 grams) I offered 2 about 2 weeks ago but was unsuccessful so I havent tried that since

18x18x12 Exo Terra Tank
2-3 inches of Reptile Prime bedding
8x12 UTH controlled by thermostat set at 91-92 to allow heat to work up through bedding
Exo Terra Hygrometer. Currently showing 62%. Spray a few times a week. Never drops below 55%
2 identical hides. 6x4 I believe. Big when I got him but hes grown into them
Large Exo Terra water bowl, big enough for him to get in if necessary, placed on hot side to help with humidity
Shed about 2 weeks ago, first shed for me, came off in one piece and rolled up like a sock. Think it came off as he left the hide.
Exo Terra dino skull for filler and rough surface to help with shed

Any ideas appreciated. Dont wanna change his feeding routine but if he continues this behavior I may feed him a day early

Forgot tank temps. I’ve got a 60 watt bulb hanging from above the hot side keeping the whole hot side between 88-90 and the cool side stays between 79-82. At night I move that out of the way for a 50 watt night bulb

He was eating weekly but hasn't eaten now for 2 weeks after refusing? -so he sounds hungry to me, & snakes don't have "feeding schedules" in "real life". ;)
But since he shed 2 weeks ago, I'm betting that's also why he refused food at that time.

I'd wait for evening though, & remember BPs are ambush-predators so most ppl have better luck offering food when they're peeking out of their hides, waiting for
prey to pounce on, instead of trying to feed them when they're out in the open, cruising the cage. Do you warm his food before offering (as many others do,
with a blow-dryer)? Maybe that's why he refused previously...BPs use their heat sensing pits to target prey...& they also feed better in the evening hours.

Sorry my wording was bad there. He refused a second mouse that night. He has feed every time I have offered in the 7-8 weeks I’ve had him. I usually feed after 9pm and heat in a plastic bag in warm water. Start off with 80-85 degree water and after 45 mins I crank it up to 95 or so and feed once the external temp is mid 80s. I usually take his hide off of him so he can see it directly

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheBigFella00

Sorry my wording was bad there. He refused a second mouse that night. He has feed every time I have offered in the 7-8 weeks I’ve had him. I usually feed after 9pm and heat in a plastic bag in warm water. Start off with 80-85 degree water and after 45 mins I crank it up to 95 or so and feed once the external temp is mid 80s. I usually take his hide off of him so he can see it directly

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All sounds good except for lifting the hide. You're just asking to get tagged that way. Many snakes won't even eat unless they're safely inside their hides.

BPs don't rely on their vision to hunt either. They're eyesight isn't very good. They rely on their heat pits and sense of smell. Trust me, they smell it long before the see it.

I’ve been pretty lucky so far. He hasn’t shown any signs of striking at me whether it’s during a feed or handling him. I have the mouse off to the side out of the tank when I lift the hide

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheBigFella00

I’ve been pretty lucky so far. He hasn’t shown any signs of striking at me whether it’s during a feed or handling him. I have the mouse off to the side out of the tank when I lift the hide

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Still, just cause you've been lucky til now doesn't mean it's a good practice or habit to get in to.
As snakes gain size they gain confidence. So while you've gotten away with it til this point, it's almost inevitable that you'll eventually get tagged that way. As the snakes prey size increases the more similar your hand will be in size and heat signature.

I USED TO use heat rocks and unregulated heat sources. But that was before I learned...

I hear ya
Quick update. Fed him around midnight. It’s 1AM now and he’s still out of his hide.