Adding a new hide problem

Ok my girl is out growing her hide so i got bigger one. Figured no big deal, I'll just add the new hide to the tank and leave the smaller one in there till she adjusts. Well that's the problem lol she refuses to use her new hide. I've even tried taking her smaller one out and she still won't go inside it. Any suggestions? Do i just leave both hides in there in the hopes that she'll use the bigger one once she realizes its safe?
Thanks in advance:)

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I'd keep them both in for the moment. It's an adjustment, and she'll check it out in due time. Changes in environment can be unsettling. Is your snake shy by nature?

Just take out the small one. They don't think about it THAT much, she will be uncomfortable without a hide and should go in after a few hours.
You could even guide her head in the entrance as you place her in the enclosure.

Nope not shy at all, loves being held, playing around in her tank, never had a feeding problem, sheds great one pieces. She'll even climb around on top if the new hide but will not get her whole body into it.

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Originally Posted by Capray

Just take out the small one. They don't think about it THAT much, she will be uncomfortable without a hide and should go in after a few hours.
You could even guide her head in the entrance as you place her in the enclosure.

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I tried that already, she won't go inside it if i try to guide her with the other one missing from the tank lol

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Depending how much bigger the new hide is you could try filling it up with crumpled up news paper until is she full size for the new hide. Besides that I would just let her be, she will use the new hide eventually.


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Is the new hide the same as the old, just bigger?


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by martin82531

Depending how much bigger the new hide is you could try filling it up with crumpled up news paper until is she full size for the new hide. Besides that I would just let her be, she will use the new hide eventually.


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Hmm never thought of that, the entrance is bigger then her old one, maybe i could put in a fake plant to block some it so it looks smaller. Hmm good idea lol

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by roaland

Hmm never thought of that, the entrance is bigger then her old one, maybe i could put in a fake plant to block some it so it looks smaller. Hmm good idea lol

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Now your thinking at the snake's level. I use cork bark pieces to clutter the inside.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by martin82531

Is the new hide the same as the old, just bigger?


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Well its still a rock type hide, but it has a different look to it. Hmm tapatalk isn't letting up upload pics today lol guess you'll just have to take my word for it lol:)

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Ok let me try out a few of these ideas y'all gave me. I'll make sure i give an update in a couple days, or sooner if one of them works lol thanks all:)

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Quick update: she just started to shed so it may be a bit before i can say if any of the tricks will work.

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I just went through the same thing my littlest guy outgrew his hides so i simply switched them with the medium hide which he used right away just swap them out.

Ok update time: she shed in 4 days lol one day of rest, then she feed (and boy was she hungry lol) i got her Old hide and her new hide in there with her and she still won't go in it lol. Granted she did just feed last night, but y'all think i should leave then both in there for a few weeks? She seems awfully picky about moving into a new cave lol

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If it were me id just take the old one out. With just the new one as her only option im sure she will use it.

just let her use the old one until she REALLY outgrows it.


They are a bit like hermit crabs, when a hermit crab is used to a shell you can offer as many alternatives as you want to, they will be ignored until the old one really gets too small.

Besides, when the hide physically gets too small and the snake keeps using it, there will be plenty of opportunities to make funny pictures for threads like http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...you-use-a-hide

dont worry :)


EDIT:

see the parralels?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...punctulata.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...24151872_n.jpg

Lol she won't even use it if its her only choice lol she's one picky chick lol and that thread hahaha is all i gotta say lol that's some funny picks!

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Ok final update: she finally moved into her new home, took her long enough lol i just left it in there and she finally got it lol. I'm gonna keep her old hide in there for a bit longer just to see what she does.thanks for ask the tips:)

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