So this happened

[Justin83]

Any news dude, campfire even hit the news here in the uk along with the other two...

[Dxw425]

They managed to stop the fire from coming through where I live, thank god. After two really stressful days I came back home with the snakes, and I just brought the fiancé and dog/cat back today now that air quality is a little better. I probably won’t be updating much for the next two weeks or so, I’ve been volunteering to help the firefighters with meals and I’m working 16 hour shifts at the hospital because we are so short staffed. Thanks for those following and if you can consider sending donations to those less fortunate than me who’ve lost everything.

next time you hear from me hopefully I will have finished Sonny’s enclosure though.

[Dxw425]

Starting to get pretty frustrated with Sonny during feeding. He's steadily pushing if i dont keep him full; we're now out of the XXL rats and i've been offering 1lb rabbits. He is his usual self and gets really excited when he can smell the rats and rabbit thawing, but shows absolutely zero interest in the rabbits at all. I've had to give one to my blood, I waited a week and tried again with no success. I tried leaving that one for him; he didnt touch it and I had to throw it out. He just refused a third (almost another week) later so im thawing a rat to give him first immediately followed by the rabbit. I really dont want to have to order a million rats to feed, especially when ive got $200 worth of rabbits already stocked in my freezer. Any tips?

Also his new enclosure is coming along, i just need to seal it and get glass or plexi for the sliders and it will be good to go.

[Dxw425]

Cleaning day and Sonny was on his best behavior. I pulled him out without disrupting his coil and he stayed out until I unraveled him when his enclosure was finished

[Justin83]

Looking good.
Great the fire missed pal.
Have you been scenting the rabbits with some rat smell?

[Dxw425]

Aw man that last picture was a GIF of some good head rubs but looks like it didnt work. Thanks justin, relieved indeed. I haven't tried to feed him again yet, im gunna give it a go at the end of this week. Fingers crossed it works. Going to try and get the new enclosure sealed and finished this weekend also, im so excited for how much space he'll have. The final size of the enclosure ended up being 72 inches long by 39 inches deep, plus there will be a decent length shelf for him to use.

[Dxw425]

So between the Fire and the butt ton of overtime and volunteer work that it brought, and now the constant rain and high winds, its taken longer than I’d hoped for Sonny’s enclosure to come together. I have the next three days off and I’m hoping to get it completely finished in that time. Really all that’s left to do is take the back wall off, apply pond shield to the interior, apply pond shield to the back wall, cut the shelf to size, apply pond shield to the shelf, secure the glass tracks which I’ve already cut down, get plexiglasscut to size, and for added measure I’m going to put Lexel on every edge as an added measure. Also I need to cut the frame for his large water dish so it is tip proof and seal that as well. And then I need to throw the RHP panel and LED strip in, which I’ve already drilled mounting holes for so that will be quick and easy. There’s not a ton to do but it’s taking a bit longer because I’m restricted to making it inside the room. I’m also not going to seal or paint the outside of the enclosure until spring when I can do it outside. I threw a picture of sonny inside the enclosure in his cleaningtub, it makes him look so small. Hopefully he loves it.

[Dxw425]

Welp, Sonnys enclosure will be move-in ready tomorrow. I havent kept exact amounts but for all the trouble this enclosure has given me i shouldve just ordered a 6 foot AP. Oh well, you live and you learn i guess. He's still being an *ss about the rabbits, and im pretty sure now that his pushing is for need of space so im just excited to get him bumped into a bigger enclosure.

[MR Snakes]

Very entertaining thread.

[Dxw425]

So Sonny is FINALLY in his new enclosure!!! I’m super happy that the project is done. It is by no means a visually appealing enclosure, but functionally it is perfect for him. I still need to add the shelf, but that’s one cut, some sanding/sealing, and quick and easy install so I’ll plan on getting that in the next full cage clean he gets. All in all I will not ever build another enclosure, at least until I have a good amount of tools. Keep in mind the only power tools I have are a cordless drill, cordless circular saw and jigsaw(which stopped working halfway through). So if you see imperfections, don’t point them out as I’m more than aware lol. But I gave sonny a rinse and let him slither himself on in and he checked out the water bowl, did a full lap, coiled under the heat, and rested his head and he’s been hangin out since.
As far as his behavior goes it seems he’s getting ready to shed, I’m not sure if he’s going into blue or coming out of it but he’s definitely in some stage of his shed cycle. I’ve been working so much it’s really hard to keep track. His face looks good though and he hasn’t been begging for food which is how he acts every shed.
heres the photo dump:









one picture has a gallon water jug to try and show his size better but no luck. In the pictures his size doesn’t seem impressive but in person, it’s a whole different story. He’s got such a good temperament too.