Isn't interested in hiding along with feeding question.

[EL-Ziggy]

I think thermostats are perhaps the most important piece of equipment necessary when it comes to keeping snakes. It's amazing that pet store employees don't give this information to buyers.
Snoop- Once you get a thermostat and your husbandry is dialed in, and increase the prey size for your snake, you should be just fine. Here are a couple of t-stat options.

http://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-ETL-Cer...arm+thermostat

http://www.amazon.com/Herpstat-Intro...tat+thermostat

[Snoopyslim]

I'm going tomorrow to a local hydroponics store - I researched their website and they have lots of products I can use. I am going to get a thermostat, digital thermometer and potentially an infrared thermometer. Also going to try to give her the rat fuzzys next feeding! Thanks again for the help I will post an update once I have things under control and she's fed. =)

Really appreciative of the support the BP.net community had given, kind of scary to think pet smart and other stores don't give people extensive knowledge on these things before purchase.

[Sauzo]

I think thermostats are perhaps the most important piece of equipment necessary when it comes to keeping snakes. It's amazing that pet store employees don't give this information to buyers.
Snoop- Once you get a thermostat and your husbandry is dialed in, and increase the prey size for your snake, you should be just fine. Here are a couple of t-stat options.

http://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-ETL-Cer...arm+thermostat

http://www.amazon.com/Herpstat-Intro...tat+thermostat

Not just them. There are breeders out there too who don't mention it when you buy a snake. I mean, i'm gonna guess it's because they assume the buyer knows and is going to buy one but for anyone who doesn't know, you need a t-stat!!!

I have one of those T-stats which is a back up for if one of my herpstats needs to go in for repairs. Not sure about the ETL thing but they are supposed to shut down if they go above 108F, not sure if they do as I haven't checked though.

[Snoopyslim]

Just a happy update

The next day after I posted and received advice I went and bought a thermostat, probe thermometer and a temp gun. I have Valentines husbandry all figured out with her rock cave coming in at 90 and the cool side is about 74 with an ambient temp of about 80. The gun is great, love it except when I'm waking up from a nap on the couch with my boyfriend pointing it in my mouth lol everyone was right it was SO hot before reading in over 100 yikes! Thank gosh she was smart enough to not get burned.

She has been hiding a bit more but still enjoys being on her sticks. She's quite a social snake and very nosey. I can't do anything or even go to near the cage when she's in her rock hide because she will pop out and want to come play. So I tiptoe around and try not to peak on her when she's in the rock.
Todays feeding was a great success hurray a small mouse. I couldn't get any rats but will look into a feeder supplier close by. I just think everyone will benefit if I start her early on the rats but I will see. All in all we're doing great and I am so happy with my baby. Best present ever <3

[Sauzo]

Good to hear and yeah she probably isn't poking her head out to play, she probably wants dinner haha. Rats isn't a huge thing. BPs do fine on mice their whole lives. Its just usually cheaper and easier to feed 1 appropriate sized rat vs feeding like 3-4 mice. Good to hear your boyfriend has a new toy too lol.