Adopting new b.p - agressive

so i picked up the new snake was cool while i held him, non agressive with me got him home was out exploring his new home, well see how he is in a week with handling. i did use gloves but he didnt coil up or anything. so all is well and i feel alot better now with him. thank you for all the help. the substrate is reptile carpet. temps now are 82-83 in the 20 with the new snake , and 81 in the 40 breeder.

I have a feeling you are not using accurate thermometers. 83* with a large UTH and a heat lamp? That does not sound right. you should be getting temps in the 100*'s with unregulated heat sources, which by the way can burn your animal.

I would suggest getting some accurate digital thermometers with wired probes to measure temperature. Get a reptile thermostat to control the UTH. Ditch the reptile carpet, it + giant snake poops = bacteria heaven.

Also, you might have better luck with this snake if you move him to a smaller tank (20gL) or a 32qt tub.

If you haven't already, make sure he has two tight fitting hides (not those half log hides, those are useless). I use plastic bowls from the dollar store (you can't beat the cheapness of the dollar store!) with a small entrance cut out. Works perfectly and is easy to clean.

i have the 12 or 15$ accurite from walmart in each tank. def going to get a thormostat for the uth what would be the better one for the money?my new snake is in the 20 gallon with alot to hide in and behind. he peeks out to see whats going on periodically while my ziggy just chills n sleeps lol. thanks for the input i will look into the thermostat asap.

what kind of substrate would be good for the snakes something bigger pieces as opposed to smaller chips?

Where are you putting the probe for the thermometer? You should be putting it right on the glass where the UTH is under the substrate.

Aspen or cypressmulch are good loose substrate options. I prefer paper towels.

I have no idea, I've been combing my city trying to find FINER aspen shavings. The big ones just aren't absorbent.

ok thanks, im going to move the probe and use paper towels and see what the temp moves to

Is the Zoo Med Aspen Snake Bedding too big? I don't know of anything smaller than that.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

You might be surprised that he may not be aggressive at all. And by what you said later he is a good boy after all. I've taken in birds that by they past owners say do were mean birds and they weren't. They just didn't like their previous owner...And frankly I didn't much either.

The old owner may not have fed him enough or may have taunted him to make him strike and act up. I mean anyone who would consider killing him or turning him lose must be a scuzz anyway.

Your on the right track. Keep it up.