Hi guys, I have some concerns.

That is a good idea! Maybe I can use some cheese cloth instead, it's a little more breathable of a fabric and soft so that should keep him from rubbing against the metal and easy enough to remove if need be too.

I wouldn't use cheese cloth. The kind I have, actually IS kind of rough when stretched out. And it can stretch in funny ways and then tangle and twist into rope. Plus it will hold the water and humidity and get soggy.

You want something slick and hard and smooth. Its not so much about softness, rather then it being "slick". Like plexi glass, glass or something. Anything with texture, he can get nose rubs on. Even regular fabric. If you slide your fingers across fabric quick, you create heat from friction.

Best would be something smooth/hard. And small stitches, so he can't rub on them, either...and make sure there is no sharp "edge" he can get to, just fold the edge over and sew along the folded edge..

About cross contamination, hm, "if" you haven't washed your hands thoroughly in between, it may just be possible. Especially if something like giardia or coccidia was present. The vet normally needs a fresh fecal to check, but if no fecal is available, they sometimes carefully swab inside the vent. That is something you would have to ask your vet, if they could check for internal parasites.
That would make more sense then force feeding or forcing appetite stimulants !! But most likely its just a winter fast !!

Make sure to always wash hands between handling anyone in the house or even touching anything in anyone's tanks. And that makes sense about the cheesecloth, I'll see what I can find as far as one of those tablecloths goes. :) Thanks so much for all your input. I feel a lot better. I highly doubt it's parasites, I feel like he'd have lost a lot more in the time he hasn't eaten if that were the case.

First of all, I really REALLY do not think your boy has any of these problems !!!

But here is a good link that explains parasites in reptiles. I did treat a snake once for giardia, but it was a long time ago and that snake was a rescue and very skinny. Giardia and Coccidia are caused by protozoans. (Protozoal diseases) They also often cause diarrhea and/or vomiting in other animals.

Again, I don't think your snake has that. He looks quite healthy.

But that is still valuable information in this link, so I will post it ;) But please do not worry so much..

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic...es-of-reptiles

As for "breathable". Just leave a few "holes" in the plastic fabric. In areas he cannot reach to rub on. If you have a light dome, you can also cut out a circle for that, unless that is where he rubs..

They really do not need a whole lot of air flow, unless you keep the enclosure very humid. As a matter of fact, it should help you keep some of the humidity from escaping ;) If you worry about it, just lift it a couple times the day...

And good luck with everything, your boy sure is one handsome snake !! Post more pictures when you get a chance :)

He's completely fine, just horny or being a butt. They do that. You might want to try just leaving the f/t rat overnight. My male won't strike this time of year but he'll still eat if I just leave it

I've tried leaving it overnight and he just uses it as a pillow, he's struck once or twice in the time he hasn't eaten but I do know if he misses a couple of times in his strikes he throws a tantrum and won't eat that week. He's a bit of a diva like that. I'll definitely post more pics of him later.

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Originally Posted by SekiMoshu

As for his cruising. Is there anything I can do to keep him from getting sores on the tip of his nose. He rubs so much at the top of the tank that it's in the same spot. I use a teeny little dab of neosporin without painkillers to just keep any bacteria from getting it infected but I'd like to keep it from happening. I check the screen regularly and there's no loose pieces of metal so I know its just from him rubbing at the top. Any way I can keep him from getting the sore?

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I had a peice of Duraplex (plexiglass) cut at lowes. The screen on one of my quarantine enclosures is 11x47 (inside diameter) and i drilled 6 holes in the plexiglass & used tiny zip ties to attach it. Make sure zip ties are small enough to go threw the screen.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr Sully

I had a peice of Duraplex (plexiglass) cut at lowes. The screen on one of my quarantine enclosures is 11x47 (inside diameter) and i drilled 6 holes in the plexiglass & used tiny zip ties to attach it. Make sure zip ties are small enough to go threw the screen.

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And that is a much better solution ;)

Looks like a trip to Home Depot/Lowes is in order. I always have a hay day in there.