(Semi) newbie here with many, MANY questions!

[Zincubus]

I've done that before with other snakes too, but BPs can be so picky... I agree that's more "natural" though.

I was talking about Royals/Balls

I myself feed mice / rats and every 4th or 5th feed they get a thawed chic ... I have 7 Royals ...

I also mix up the days in between.. I go off how interested they are all looking when I change the water (daily) .

Usually between 9 and 14 days ..


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[Bogertophis]

I was talking about Royals/Balls

I myself feed mice / rats and every 4th or 5th feed they get a thawed chic ... I have 7 Royals ...

I also mix up the days in between.. I go off how interested they are all looking when I change the water (daily) .

Usually between 9 and 14 days ..


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You're tough & your snakes are well-trained, then...they know you're not a push-over! Did you tell them there are "starving snakes in China that would love to have this"...?

[Snagrio]

Are you SURE it wouldn't be worth it to buy frozen online & have shipped? Even for just one snake, you can buy at least a year's supply- they won't spoil as long as they stay frozen, & they keep even better if vacuum-sealed. Some sources sell them that way, but otherwise, you can do that yourself too, with a "seal-a-meal" device.

Probably better than confusing him with mice, he might be hard to get back on rats. They're usually cheaper online, but even when you figure in the shipping (& gas & inconvenience of heading to the store all the time), I bet they come close to costing the same? And if you know anyone near you that keeps snakes, maybe you could split the order too?

Seems like rat pups online from most places come in packs of 25. Would that be a good amount to last him until he reaches the "next size" so to speak?

[Bogertophis]

25 should take a while to feed off, but snakes grow at different rates so I can't say for sure. Even once they're on the small side for him, there's no harm done- there are "options". You can double them up & feed at a greater interval, or feed singles that are slightly closer together- remember that snakes don't have regular meals in the wild, nor do they have consistent prey items.

[Snagrio]

Put in an order for a pack of 25 pups at The Big Cheese. Bit a pricey bullet but hopefully he's transition easily and I'll be good on a food supply for a long while.

[Bogertophis]

Let's hope he appreciates your efforts.

[Snagrio]

I sure hope so. And there's still the ever-looming elephant in the room regarding his enclosure upgrade. Though there is a "quicker ship" option for the exact T8 model I'm considering from AP that looks tempting (approx. 30 days to ship instead of half a year or more).

Question is I'm not sure what changes regarding heating elements. I don't think my heat pad will still be compatible and I'd have to figure out how I'm going to "cage" the CHE so he doesn't burn himself on it since it won't be on the outside of the enclosure anymore.

[Zincubus]

You're tough & your snakes are well-trained, then...they know you're not a push-over! Did you tell them there are "starving snakes in China that would love to have this"...?

My secret is the hairdryer method


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[Bogertophis]

I sure hope so. And there's still the ever-looming elephant in the room regarding his enclosure upgrade. Though there is a "quicker ship" option for the exact T8 model I'm considering from AP that looks tempting (approx. 30 days to ship instead of half a year or more).

Question is I'm not sure what changes regarding heating elements. I don't think my heat pad will still be compatible and I'd have to figure out how I'm going to "cage" the CHE so he doesn't burn himself on it since it won't be on the outside of the enclosure anymore.

Might start a separate thread with that question, as I think some here do that exact thing- so they can tell you how or where they got theirs. Have you looked on sites for herp supplies? Like on Bean Farm or Reptile Basics? Or just googled "safety cage for CHE"? I think a lot of members use RHPs, actually. I don't though, so I can't advise you on that. Enclosure upgrades are both welcome & nerve-wracking... but you'll get it all figured out.

[EL-Ziggy]

I sure hope so. And there's still the ever-looming elephant in the room regarding his enclosure upgrade. Though there is a "quicker ship" option for the exact T8 model I'm considering from AP that looks tempting (approx. 30 days to ship instead of half a year or more).

Question is I'm not sure what changes regarding heating elements. I don't think my heat pad will still be compatible and I'd have to figure out how I'm going to "cage" the CHE so he doesn't burn himself on it since it won't be on the outside of the enclosure anymore.

You can use a UTH on pvc enclosures, you can also order a screen cutout on your AP enclosure and set your CHE on top, or you can upgrade and go with a RHP for your heat source.