Re: thrilled new BP owner - first problem. Help!
Quote:
Originally Posted by darkangel
He sounds content :) They're really not that active. Mine is a total bum, only leaves the hide to poop and eat.
Mine too, i know he moves around though because he's always in his cooler hide, but i find his poop in the warmer hide, sometimes i just catch the end of his tail going back into his hide. I rarely see him out and about. When i move him to clean his cage he's just all over the place though. It's cool! :carrot:
Re: thrilled new BP owner - first problem. Help!
Hey mine acts the same way hes such a bum sometimes, but now he loves the cool side he is always there I keep the temps anywhere from 80 to 83 on the cool side, I have noticed on thing thoe when its low 80's cool side he goes up on the tree and hides in between the branches sometimes I peek in both hides and get scared wondering where he went, lol the first time I saw him gone I freaked! but yea mine acts the same I guess its just a BP thing.
Also that accurite from walmart is sweet I bought a couple of those so I have one for my next bp so that he can be monitored accuretly. They are really cheap. :2cent:
Re: thrilled new BP owner - first problem. Help!
This is the AcuRite digital thermometer you can pick up at Walmart for $12, usually in the hardware department:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...mageloader.gif
Re: thrilled new BP owner - first problem. Help!
Quote:
Originally Posted by bearhart
I have this basic metal-coil thermometer that is round and meant to stick to the cage. The pet store people said don't stick it to the cage just set it in there. So I just prop it up somewhere in the warm side. The center of the thermometer sits about 3/4 inch above the surface.
Those are junk (I think everyone I have ever tried all said 50% regardless of the truth :D )...several people have posted about Accurite (from Walmart) which is digital and much much better.
You really need to be sure what the humidity is...even if she is eating good now. You don't want her not feeding one day to be your indicator that something is wrong.
Re: thrilled new BP owner - first problem. Help!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mighty Monty
Mine too, i know he moves around though because he's always in his cooler hide, but i find his poop in the warmer hide, sometimes i just catch the end of his tail going back into his hide. I rarely see him out and about. When i move him to clean his cage he's just all over the place though. It's cool! :carrot:
Yea, its awesome when they come out to do their thing.
I'm definately going to pick up one of those Accurite things. I hope they're not too big because I've spent alot of time making his cage good looking as well as functional. Somehow that Accurite doesn't look like its going to match the outdoorsy theme I've got going :)
Another thing I'm considering is the cool-side hide. I was told not to do that because the snake might hang out in there too much - to his detriment.
Re: thrilled new BP owner - first problem. Help!
Oh yea, I realized while reading another thread that there is one other thing that preceeded my BP's decline in activity: larger feeds. I was having a hard time consistently getting a "medium" size mouse from my pet store (which I'm guessing is a well developed juvenile). Often times, depending on who I was talking to, I was either offered this tiny thing (hopper) or an adult. I eventually gave up and settled on asking for a "small adult".
Boy, the first time the mouse didn't look that big until about the time my BP had it lined up and began swallowing. Then it looked huge and I got scared he was going to hurt himself. He had to work that sucker down and I was wringing my hands the whole time! Now, two feeds later he can pack one down no problem. But, I'm guessing it was a significant increase in calories for him. I was told they get more active as they get hungrier.
Re: thrilled new BP owner - first problem. Help!
Quote:
Originally Posted by bearhart
Another thing I'm considering is the cool-side hide. I was told not to do that because the snake might hang out in there too much - to his detriment.
That's why you need two identical hides for each side... he'll choose temperature, not a preference of one hide over the other.
The accurites are certainly not meant to be "pretty" but it's worth it...
Re: thrilled new BP owner - first problem. Help!
i would def have 2 hides, a cool one and a warm one. and its ideal that they be identical, so he doesn't choose one just cause it makes him feel more safe. i have 2 terra cotta pots with holes in the top. one day i'll check on him and he's in the cool one the next time he's in the warm one.
Re: thrilled new BP owner - first problem. Help!
I see the reasoning - it makes good sense.
Since everything he has is natural (except his pool - er water dish) it will be a challenge but I think I can get very close. Also, I line the hide with peet moss. He likes to work the stuff into a sort of tight-fitting bed/blanket. Hopefully, he'll be able to keep both hides exactly to his liking this way.
Re: thrilled new BP owner - first problem. Help!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rabernet
I HIGHLY advise you spend the $12 dollars on the above thermometer. My friend used the below thermometer that gave him the appropriate temps, but was actually 30+ degrees off the actual temp inside his snakes hide. In the end we went today to the vet with his snake and had to have it put down because it was so far gone. If you want to read more of the story I'll attach a link to the thread. But the single most important item inside your snakes cage/vivarium/tub etc is a good thermometer. The second of which is two identical hides, one on each side of his set-up.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...258358079B.jpg
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=46472
