new BP owner with questions

[pbyeerts]

There is a Sticky that tells you everything that you need to know about setting up a tank for your BP at the top of Husbandry section.


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Pamela and GINGER, my wonderful BP

1 dog, 3 cats, 1 macaw, 1 husband, 1 daughter, and GINGER


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[jimmysmom]

Today is jimmy's feed day. Ya'll informed me that I have been feeding him too small food. So last night I went and bought a small mouse fitting to the largest part of his body. I was afraid it would scratch or bite him so I bopped it on the head. He struck at it and looked as if he was going to eat it, but he wouldn't. I have only feed him live unbopped before. I am afraid that giving him a bigger mouse alive that it may scratch or bite him. Any suggestions ?

[200xth]

Today is jimmy's feed day. Ya'll informed me that I have been feeding him too small food. So last night I went and bought a small mouse fitting to the largest part of his body. I was afraid it would scratch or bite him so I bopped it on the head. He struck at it and looked as if he was going to eat it, but he wouldn't. I have only feed him live unbopped before. I am afraid that giving him a bigger mouse alive that it may scratch or bite him. Any suggestions ?

I would stop smashing his food on the head.

Your snake is well equipped to kill and eat a mouse without help.

[PitOnTheProwl]

They have been doing this for 1000s of years.

[jimmysmom]

I am having issues maintaining humidity levels. I have a screen top that I have covered with tight fitting plastic with the exception of where the light is. I switched to eco earth coconut fibers, and added more greenery. I can get the humidity to about 48 % and it will stay that way for several hours then begin it begins to drop. This morning I woke to find the humidity at 34%. Would buying a humidifier for the room he is in make a difference? There does not appear to be dents in his eyes from lack of humidity, and he is eating and drinking and using the bathroom fine. Over all he appears to be happy but I know that I have to work on the humidity. Any advice will be appreciated and followed.

[SekiMoshu]

I am having issues maintaining humidity levels. I have a screen top that I have covered with tight fitting plastic with the exception of where the light is. I switched to eco earth coconut fibers, and added more greenery. I can get the humidity to about 48 % and it will stay that way for several hours then begin it begins to drop. This morning I woke to find the humidity at 34%. Would buying a humidifier for the room he is in make a difference? There does not appear to be dents in his eyes from lack of humidity, and he is eating and drinking and using the bathroom fine. Over all he appears to be happy but I know that I have to work on the humidity. Any advice will be appreciated and followed.

While good ambient air is important for them if you're still using the over tank heater, that might be drying out the air. One way to get the humidity up is a bigger water bowl. You'll want one that's big enough that they can fit inside and soak themselves in if they need to. The larger water bowl helps you spot if something is wrong too, example, if your snake is soaking there's something not so good going on and it's a good signal for you to double check their husbandry and check on them to make sure there's no problems with your new scaly baby. Another way you could get the humidity up and I do this for mine when he sheds is a warm wet towel over half the top of the tank instead of the plastic and a dry towel on top of that. I wet it once in the morning and once before bed. I had tried the plastic and tin foil trick and it hadn't worked too well for me but the towel trick did.

[Blueraven99]

Also for humidity I have been using an old (clean) kitchen towel. Every night before bed I put on a damp towel, wake up mist lightly, moisten towel again and it stays between 50 and 60 all day.

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[Blueraven99]

Sorry SekiMoshu, I just saw you suggested that. Using my phone doesn't work that well sometimes.

Again my apologies.

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[AnnaK231]

Just want to double check that your UTH is plugged into the thermostat (not just plugged into the wall). UTH are notorious for heating up to 110 degrees or higher and burning your snake. Our UTH burnt our glass along with our snakes belly.

Humidity..you said you have a petsmart? Look for sphagnum moss. Comes in a box. Get some "miniature solo cups" and stick some moss in one or two (depending on your setup) and wet the moss. Should help up the humidity.

We have a 55gallon tank and I used 4 of the little cups and tin foiled the top of the screen. Went from 40 percent to 55-65 percent and stayed there.

As someone else suggested, you may just have a super curious snake. Ours made laps around his cage for the first 6 months.

[jimmysmom]

Just want to double check that your UTH is plugged into the thermostat (not just plugged into the wall). UTH are notorious for heating up to 110 degrees or higher and burning your snake. Our UTH burnt our glass along with our snakes belly.

Humidity..you said you have a petsmart? Look for sphagnum moss. Comes in a box. Get some "miniature solo cups" and stick some moss in one or two (depending on your setup) and wet the moss. Should help up the humidity.

We have a 55gallon tank and I used 4 of the little cups and tin foiled the top of the screen. Went from 40 percent to 55-65 percent and stayed there.

As someone else suggested, you may just have a super curious snake. Ours made laps around his cage for the first 6 months.

Yes the UTH is on a thermostat, it is set at 88. I got some moss and did as suggested and it raises it for a bit then drops drastically. I keep a warm moist towel over half the screen. I have increased the size of his water dish. I have misted, but I feel that I am misting to much. I live in a cooler climate with very low humidity. Would adding a humidifier to my room help increase the humidity in his tank. He is in shed as we speak and I have started stressing myself out over this humidity issue.