55 gal question

[VegaBP]

Alrighty so I have a 55 gallon tank, I know its frowned upon but I was new at this when I first started putting everything together before I got the snake so I worked with what I had. I've had her three weeks now and I've done everything pretty well. My temps are maintained at the suggested (83 ambient, 93 hot side, 85 cool side, 52% humidity average) and I've bought a whole bunch of plants and vines to cover the ceilings and the walls to help make the enclosure feel smaller for her. But she hasn't eaten since I got her. Yesterday was her third refusal. So I've decided to cut the tank in half with a piece of black colored plexi-glass, but now I'm going to have an empty side of a 55 gallon tank ha ha. So I'm trying to be creative here.

My question is: could I put the divider in the the tank but leave a small opening in the bottom so she could have the choice to go to (what would seem to her) like a whole other area. I would have two hides with a hot and a cool side with another water bowl and maintianed temps. If you need a visualization I would have essentially two tank set ups but in a single tank. I hope that makes sense. I would appreciate any input. Thanks guys!!

[Kaorte]

Personally, I would just split it off completely. Every time she "switches sides" there is a possibility of her being stressed from her new surroundings.

You could just.....get another ball python for the other side

[JeffJ]

Personally, I would just split it off completely. Every time she "switches sides" there is a possibility of her being stressed from her new surroundings.

You could just.....get another ball python for the other side

what happened to quarantining

if you get another ball python its not advised to introduce it to the other half of the 55 gal until it has passed a 90 day health quarantine in its own enclosure in a seperate room from your current snake.

[southb]

Wish more people stressed this as much I do.

[JeffJ]

Wish more people stressed this as much I do.

I stress this.

there is to much that can go wrong.

[VegaBP]

You could just.....get another ball python for the other side

I have definitly thought about this but I'm only three weeks into my first ever bp. So I want to make sure I know how to keep one happy before I start getting more

[Kaorte]

I have definitly thought about this but I'm only three weeks into my first ever bp. So I want to make sure I know how to keep one happy before I start getting more

good choice.

Make sure everything is perfect and going smoothly for a few months.

As others have said, if you do get another, make sure to quarantine. I have a simple tub setup for quarantine and it cost like, 30 bucks.

[anatess]

I remember reading from another thread a while back that they have a Quarantine Room where all new snakes go. I mean, each individual new snake is not quarantined from each other, is my understanding. So, basically, since he only had this snake 3 weeks, then he should be able to get another one and put it directly in the other side of that tank and they can both quarantine together. Yeah, I like the other snake idea more than the exploration idea. But, that exploration area is one neat thing too. I think it depends on the snake. If he feels stressed out in the other area, I think he should be able to go back to the other side where he feels more secure.

[stratus_020202]

It could be other things too. It took my snake two weeks to eat. Now she eats just fine in her 55 gal. I know its not a good comparison since every snake is different. It could be the kind of hide your using, or where you are placing the mouse when you feed. Maybe you're feeding her male mice and she prefers female, or colored mice vs white, live vs frozen. Remember if you make it smaller it will seem new to her, and give her a week to adjust. I would contain her to one side or the other, and i agree about quarantine with a new snake also. Find out what she was eating before. It's a good place to start.

Also, the pet store i bought my bp from fed her in a tub instead of her enclosure. Look into that too. Keep your head up, she'll eat when she's comfortable.

[JeffJ]

I remember reading from another thread a while back that they have a Quarantine Room where all new snakes go. I mean, each individual new snake is not quarantined from each other, is my understanding. So, basically, since he only had this snake 3 weeks, then he should be able to get another one and put it directly in the other side of that tank and they can both quarantine together. Yeah, I like the other snake idea more than the exploration idea. But, that exploration area is one neat thing too. I think it depends on the snake. If he feels stressed out in the other area, I think he should be able to go back to the other side where he feels more secure.

incorrect. how new they are has no clout on the physical health of the animals.

if he introduces a sick animal to the other side of the tank they will both be in trouble.

Quarantine by definition means separation from the general population. whether it be 1 or 1000 and if they are new or old members of the collection, it does not matter new reptiles should all be quarantined by them self with no chance of physical or airborne contact with the other animals.

quar·an·tine  (kwôrn-tn, kwr-)
n.
1.
a. A period of time during which a vehicle, person, or material suspected of carrying a contagious disease is detained at a port of entry under enforced isolation to prevent disease from entering a country.
b. A place for such detention.
2. Enforced isolation or restriction of free movement imposed to prevent the spread of contagious disease.
3. A condition of enforced isolation.
4. A period of 40 days.
tr.v. quar·an·tined, quar·an·tin·ing, quar·an·tines
1. To isolate in or as if in quarantine.
2. To isolate politically or economically.