» Site Navigation
0 members and 1,349 guests
No Members online
Most users ever online was 47,180, 07-16-2025 at 05:30 PM.
» Today's Birthdays
» Stats
Members: 75,934
Threads: 249,128
Posts: 2,572,279
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
|
-
Registered User
Snakes not eating after switching to tubs?
Hello, I was hoping you guys could help me.
I have two snakes, a 5ft ball python and a young 4ft red tail boa. Since I have plans to get more snakes in the future, I decided to switch to the tub method of housing snakes. I used two glass aquariums beforehand, and quite honestly, they sucked for keeping humidity at the right percentage and were very bulky, so I'm happy to be rid of them them (so far, it is easier with tubs).
I have heard that tub racks are the easiest way to house multiple snakes and also that snakes that like to hide, such as BPs, are more comfortable in tubs, which is what prompted me to make the switch. However, since I switched to the tubs (two weeks ago), both of my snakes have refused food.
Both of my snakes have been great eaters since I got them, my BP has never gone off feed before, he even eats during sheds and my Boa has eaten everything I offered except when he is in shed. I understand that ball pythons are normally picky eaters and it is not abnormal for them to go off feed. However, I've always heard that boas are voracious eaters, and mine always was before this switch. Since they have both gone off feed at the same time, I'm a bit concerned. If this persists for a month, I plan to take them to the vet. However I was interested if anyone here had a simple solution or reason of why they are doing this before I spend money on a vet exam (they had a yearly exam not too long ago, don't want to take them in again if I can avoid it).
Here is my set up:
4 shelf rack, approx 10 ft wide.
Ball python's tub is 6x3 (ft)
RTB's tub is 10x4 (ft)
Using newspaper substrate, I change it whenever it gets wet or when someone poops.
Two hides in each tub, one on hot side, one on cold side.
UTH for each tub.
Water bowl big enough to soak in.
1 rock and branches in each enclosure for shedding.
Humidity 60%, Temp 80-85 degrees with a hot side of 90 degrees (UTH never exceeds 93 degrees)
I've been feeding F/T medium sized rats to both snakes once a week. Neither of my snakes will strike their food, in the past I have always just left it in their enclosure and they will eat it
I normally handle my snakes everyday, except during shed and after feeding. I have been leaving them alone lately however, to let them adjust to the new enclosure and don't plan to handle them until after they eat at least once.
Does anyone know why they are doing this? Is it because they can sense each other nearby and that is stressing them? Is the new enclosure stressing them out? Any thoughts?
-
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules
|