Behavior Question

[ErikH]

I have had Monty a little over three weeks now. He (I really don't know the sex) is a baby, I would estimate somewhere between 12" and 18" long. He finished his shed about 2 days ago, it was almost complete except for a few stray scraps around the head. Since the shed however, he doesn't seem interested in using either hide. Instead he seems to preffer curling up next to the glass outside of the warm hide. My temps appear to be good (83 cool side, 92 inside warm hide), humidity is back down to around 50%. Should I be concerned, or just leave him be. I have not handled him since I put him in the enclosure 3 weeks ago.

[tigerlily]

Double check the hides and make sure there are not 'presents' left in there. Mine do that all the time. I regularly check the hides all the time, but especially if they seem to be avoiding one.

[ErikH]

I never thought of that! I checked the cool hide, nothing. At this point I can't check the warm one because he is curled up between the hide and the front of the enclosure, and I can't move it without disturbing him. Thanks!

[tigerlily]

What type of hides are you using? Sometimes if they're not dark, tight and secure enough they'll also turn their noses up at them.

[ErikH]

The cool side hide is a small box turned upside down with a hole cut in one side. The warm side hide is store-bought. It is half of a hollow log.

[tigerlily]

I'm not a huge fan of the half log. Mine hated em. I ended up with some tupperware like containers, from the dollar store. I just used a soldering iron to melt a nice hole in them (and then a little sanding). Then I kind of buried them in the aspen. It's worked pretty good.

Have you attemped a feed yet? One trick is to throw balled up newspaper in the tank. You don't want an open area. It makes them feel vulnerable. I used some inexpensive greenery to fill up space, but will be switching to a rack soon.

[ErikH]

Yes, I attemped a feed on Wednesday, but he didn't go for it. It may have been too soon after a shed. I will put some balled up newspaper in the enclosure when I change the water today. It looks like I should make or purchase a new hide too. He is back in the cool hide (the box) this morning so I am thinking the half log isn't cutting it.

[tigerlily]

Usually it's only before sheds that cause food refusuals. As long as your temps are good and constant, then I would try the newspaper thing and maybe a couple different hides. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[TheDoctor]

I use inverted claypots as hides and they`re great.
Whats your substrate?
Newspaper is clean but you would need to monitor the humidity more,
for that reason im using bark chips substrate and humidity is always kept at 60%. Your temps sounds fine and some balled up newspaper should help him feel more comfortable/secure.

[ErikH]

I am currently using newpaper as a substrate. Using a humidifier, the humidity is usually right around 61%. I will try the flower pot for a hide, as this morning he is hiding under the balled up newspaper on the warm end. Do you recomend making a hole in the side of the pot, or simply enlarging the one on the bottom?