Bedding

[BucsBirdie]

I have had my BP hatchling since May of last year. I have used only turf as bedding since then. Today I started using mulch, I found him buried in the mulch is that normal?

[Inarikins]

Buried, like... completely? Are you providing proper hides? How thick is the substrate?

[NormanSnake]

Maybe he's just enjoying it (:

[BucsBirdie]

Not completely, about half is body. About 3 inches thick. He has 3 hiding places on 2 in the warm side 1 in the cool side

[RoseyReps]

Are you using an undertank heater? If so, that might be a bit thick for the warmth to penetrate the substrate. If not, maybe he just feels more cozy partly buried. My mojave boy used to pile up aspen at the opening of his hide like a doorway. So I guess he just liked to "have his door closed" while he was sleeping silly snakes.

[BucsBirdie]

Yes under tank heater. He lives in a 55 gal condo so I used a full large bag, 24 quarts. I can remove an inch across not more than that.

[Inarikins]

If he's just pushing aside the bedding to lay against the bottom of the tank where it's warmer, that's fine. Mine does it all the time. So long as you're measuring that point (against the glass) as the hottest point, then it's okay. Really, for a UTH to work properly, you don't want more than 1/2" of substrate just so the heat can actually penetrate the substrate.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Does your under tank heater have a thermostat regulating it?

3 inches of mulch is nearly impossible for a UTH to heat through. When using under tank heaters the substrate layer needs to be 1/2" thick or less. There is really no reason to have a thicker layer.

[BucsBirdie]

Thanx just removed some of the bedding. I think he's fine, work up this morning he had tracks all over the tank, seem to have had fun last night.