I just don't understand...

I've had Kingsley for almost a month now and recently he doesn't use his hides. In the beginning he used them all the time, mostly staying on the cool side and then once in a while going to the warm side. Now he just hangs out outside of his hides. His temps are fine and the humidity is alright, I just don't understand. He has eaten every time I put food in front of him, no matter what time of the day. Im just concerned because an active bp, or one that doesn't use his hides is usually stressed out. But usually they won't eat if they feel stressed or not safe, and he eats like a pig.

Husbandry
10 gal glass tank
aspen bedding
2 identical hides
cool side 85
warm side 91
humidity 46%
UTH on thermostat
75w CHE
Acu-rite thermometer

Quote:

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Originally Posted by giaach

I've had Kingsley for almost a month now and recently he doesn't use his hides. In the beginning he used them all the time, mostly staying on the cool side and then once in a while going to the warm side. Now he just hangs out outside of his hides. His temps are fine and the humidity is alright, I just don't understand. He has eaten every time I put food in front of him, no matter what time of the day. Im just concerned because an active bp, or one that doesn't use his hides is usually stressed out. But usually they won't eat if they feel stressed or not safe, and he eats like a pig.

Husbandry
10 gal glass tank
aspen bedding
2 identical hides
cool side 85
warm side 91
humidity 46%
UTH on thermostat
75w CHE
Acu-rite thermometer

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might want to bump your humidity up to 50ish

also does he just lay there or what?

I know the humidity is a little low, but its actually up since I posted that. Right now hes just laying there because he just had a small rat. I hate to say this but I find it quite hard to take advice from someone that just got at bp and has had so many issues with husbandry. I think I'll wait to hear from someone with a little more experience.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by giaach

...I hate to say this but I find it quite hard to take advice from someone that just got at bp and has had so many issues with husbandry...

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Harsh. Often times if you hate to say something then that is motivation to not say it. Also, since he has had such issues with husbandry and has learned a ton and has fixed his issues then his offerings are worthy of consideration. In this case, he's correct to suggest a bump in humidity. CHE's really kill humidity in glass tanks.....

Eliminate the CHE and see if the temps stay up. The humidity will increase without it as long as the UTH keeps the heat right, and it should. I have balls that just seem to hang out sometimes. I wouldn't stress out about the hide issue. As long as it is eating and the husbandry stays ok then let it be. Sometimes they just do what they are not supposed to do! LOL

If your snake is not using his hide spot its not a big deal, its a good thing as he is not trying to hide so does not feel nervous all the time.

As for the humidity throw the ceramic heater away, get a black light at most and keep him on cypress mulch. We use cypress on all our balls as it holds humidity very well, and is not dusty like aspen.

Also your temps seem a little high, the cool side should be around 80* and the warm side 85-88. Balls do not need really high temps, I think you will find a lot of big breeders keep them cooler, with a hot spot to aid in digestion.

Just a thought, that works for us.
Good luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jnjreptiles

If your snake is not using his hide spot its not a big deal, its a good thing as he is not trying to hide so does not feel nervous all the time.

As for the humidity throw the ceramic heater away, get a black light at most and keep him on cypress mulch. We use cypress on all our balls as it holds humidity very well, and is not dusty like aspen.

Also your temps seem a little high, the cool side should be around 80* and the warm side 85-88. Balls do not need really high temps, I think you will find a lot of big breeders keep them cooler, with a hot spot to aid in digestion.

Just a thought, that works for us.
Good luck!

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interesting. so would you say that hides are needed at all? i know another large breeder that says he does not use hides at all either for the same reason you stated. just wondering.

The only time we use hides is during c.h season when we have between 1200-3000 babies to set up and get started all at once.
We use 16oz solo cups cut in half down the side for hides, as it is easier to be safe then sorry when dealing with larger numbers.
Other than that all our animals are housed in racks that stay dark in the back so we dont use hides.
Even with imports, we offer hides but a lot of them dont use them after a few weeks. We got a bunch of weird/special w.c's in 2 days ago didn't offer hides and most fed the day after we got them, it all depends on the snake.

The thinking matter of it is, you want the snake to feed and feel secure with out having to have a hide spot, that way if it goes off food you can offer a hide and that might get it feeding again, kind of gives you a back up trick for them.
That is just what we do but the best thing to do is let your snake show you what it wants.

J&J REPTILES

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Originally Posted by starmom

Harsh. Often times if you hate to say something then that is motivation to not say it. Also, since he has had such issues with husbandry and has learned a ton and has fixed his issues then his offerings are worthy of consideration. In this case, he's correct to suggest a bump in humidity. CHE's really kill humidity in glass tanks.....

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I agree, harsh!! I was even offended.

you were new once and actually my advice is 100% true, hell my snake ate for the first time today and is shedding, beat that. I must be doing something right. I am a fast learner and pretty much got everything running within 2 days, I was offering advice and was being nice about it and does not make it OK for you to snap back, most people on here should know how much progress I have made over a week.. seriously keep comments like that to yourself if you're looking for help..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jnjreptiles

The only time we use hides is during c.h season when we have between 1200-3000 babies to set up and get started all at once.
We use 16oz solo cups cut in half down the side for hides, as it is easier to be safe then sorry when dealing with larger numbers.
Other than that all our animals are housed in racks that stay dark in the back so we dont use hides.
Even with imports, we offer hides but a lot of them dont use them after a few weeks. We got a bunch of weird/special w.c's in 2 days ago didn't offer hides and most fed the day after we got them, it all depends on the snake.

The thinking matter of it is, you want the snake to feed and feel secure with out having to have a hide spot, that way if it goes off food you can offer a hide and that might get it feeding again, kind of gives you a back up trick for them.
That is just what we do but the best thing to do is let your snake show you what it wants.

J&J REPTILES

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cool thanks. i did not want to hijack his thread but i always found it interesting that so many people are so insistent on having hides. i also think that it is interesting that larger breeder/keepers often times do not do things "by the book" all the time and often adapt and try different things. i think everyone would be better off trying new things and just do like what you said, let there animals sort of show them what they like and want. i appreciate your time and sorry giaach.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mtxsub7

you were new once and actually my advice is 100% true, hell my snake ate for the first time today and is shedding, beat that. I must be doing something right. I am a fast learner and pretty much got everything running within 2 days, I was offering advice and was being nice about it and does not make it OK for you to snap back, most people on here should know how much progress I have made over a week.. seriously keep comments like that to yourself if you're looking for help..

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Sorry man I didn't mean to be so rude. I've been really sick the past 2 days and so I'm a little cranky (nausea and 103 degree fever) I know my humidity was low, and the only reason I use the CHE is because it seems to zap less moisture out of the air than my red or blue heat lamps. I apologize for my comments and I look forward to any more advice you might have.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by giaach

Sorry man I didn't mean to be so rude. I've been really sick the past 2 days and so I'm a little cranky (nausea and 103 degree fever) I know my humidity was low, and the only reason I use the CHE is because it seems to zap less moisture out of the air than my red or blue heat lamps. I apologize for my comments and I look forward to any more advice you might have.

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Thanks It is ok, my room is so hot because of my BP now, it's like a jungle so sorry for snapping back

Just mirroring previous comments, I have also heard from some breeders and more experienced keepers than myself that some of their snakes aren't even offered hides any longer because they do not use them. Because of all the comments about this so far, it might not be such an uncommon occurance.

If feedings and sheds are all going well then I wouldn't worry about the lack of using a hide spot. He may just be comfortable in his enclosure, or prefer some of the tank decoration over an actual hide. If anything about his feedings appears to be out of the norm for him though then I'd definately start digging a little further.

Since you are using a glass tank I would recommend using the hide - most breeders that say they don't use hides don't have their balls exposed like your :P

That being said - be sure the hide is the right size (tight and cozy) - the right type (dark and comfortable) measure the temperature inside the hide make sure it's about 90* (hides have a tendency to build up heat so you need to monitor the temp inside).

And like the rest said - ditch the CHE.

Good luck!

are you feeding him enough? is the prey item approximately as wide as the snake at his or her widest spot?

a few of my snakes would be overly active until i got bigger prey for them, then they would eat digest and generally be less active.

Well yesterday, being sick and all, I sent my friend to get my a mouse for him. He went to the local Petland and ended up coming back with a small rat. Apparently the girl that got it for him wasn't too smart. At first I was a little apprehensive to give it to him but he went for it right away and about 5 minutes later it was gone. Since that meal he hasn't moved much but he's not using his hides. They are plenty big for him but obviously not too big. I have no idea what his deal is. Unless he's just really comfortable and doesn't need them.


By the way. I read the article about stress or being nosey, and a lot of you said that spiders seem to be more curious and active. Kingsley is a Spider....

yeah my female spider even moves around after a meal. which is odd. but hey spiders are goobers like that. she even bit herself trying to get at a rat! if husbandry is spot on its "normal" for him.