55 gal question

[Spaniard]

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.

This is usually the case if you are a person that has a lot of new animals coming through their facility. If you had a snake in the QT room on day 35 and you put a new snake into your QT room they would both start back on day 0. However there are still risks associated with QTing this way.

The way I look at it is you risk loosing whatever animals you expose the new snake to. Even with a separate QT room you still risk the chance of loosing all your QT animals if you bring in something that has lets say IBD for example. The only way to really be 100% sure would be to have one room for QT with one snake at a time in it for 90 days. This isn't always possible but when I can manage it this way I do.

[VegaBP]

Maybe you're feeding her male mice and she prefers female, or colored mice vs white, live vs frozen.
Find out what she was eating before. It's a good place to start.

Well I got her from a humane society here in Colorado, they told me they were feeding her f\t rat pups so thats what I've been getting. But I have been worried that maybe the rats she was fed we smaller than the ones I can get at petco, I want to order some off the internet but most of them have to be ordered in "bulk" (more than 25) and I wasn't sure I wanted to get that many of one kind just in case she starts to refuse that certian kind. As far as the white vs. colored I've thought of that too, every rat I've fed has been white... so maybe theres my problem.

Stratus do you have a pic of your enclosure since you said you also have a 55 gallon. I just want to get an idea of what other larger set ups look like so I can compare and make changes if I need to. Thank You!

Is three refusals to little to start changing from frozen to live or would it be worth a try next week to give her a live one and see what she does? Or should I just try a smaller prey first?

Thank You for all your input guys. I love this site!!!!

[Spaniard]

Malpaso did a nice job altering his set up, you may find this thread useful as well. There are pictures towards the middle and end.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=85308

[JeffJ]

Well I got her from a humane society here in Colorado, they told me they were feeding her f\t rat pups so thats what I've been getting. But I have been worried that maybe the rats she was fed we smaller than the ones I can get at petco, I want to order some off the internet but most of them have to be ordered in "bulk" (more than 25) and I wasn't sure I wanted to get that many of one kind just in case she starts to refuse that certian kind. As far as the white vs. colored I've thought of that too, every rat I've fed has been white... so maybe theres my problem.

Stratus do you have a pic of your enclosure since you said you also have a 55 gallon. I just want to get an idea of what other larger set ups look like so I can compare and make changes if I need to. Thank You!

Is three refusals to little to start changing from frozen to live or would it be worth a try next week to give her a live one and see what she does? Or should I just try a smaller prey first?

Thank You for all your input guys. I love this site!!!!

mine used to refuse white and one day he just started eating them. if you have not tried live you should. it might be all it takes.

[stratus_020202]

Stratus do you have a pic of your enclosure since you said you also have a 55 gallon. I just want to get an idea of what other larger set ups look like so I can compare and make changes if I need to. Thank You!

Not on me because i'm at work. Shhh.... I'll see if I can't get you one later. It's a really simple set up. Take what you have now, add two hides identical to the first one you had, an under tank heater, cover the top with a towel, add a waterfall, and that is exactly what i have. Even the same bedding.

If you want to catch them moving, try to get up right at dawn. That's when I get ready for work, and if i peek in as soon as i get up, i can usually catch her out. It's funny too. The min. she sees me move she stops, "uh oh somebody seen me!" then eventually goes back to her hide. lol.

Remember, its the small things that matter. They are picky, sensitive animals, and patience is a virtue.

[VegaBP]

Not on me because i'm at work. Shhh.... I'll see if I can't get you one later. It's a really simple set up. Take what you have now, add two hides identical to the first one you had, an under tank heater, cover the top with a towel, add a waterfall, and that is exactly what i have. Even the same bedding.

If you want to catch them moving, try to get up right at dawn. That's when I get ready for work, and if i peek in as soon as i get up, i can usually catch her out. It's funny too. The min. she sees me move she stops, "uh oh somebody seen me!" then eventually goes back to her hide. lol.

I definitly have two identical hides, so your suggesting putting in a third? I didn't think of that. I've got a large uth under the warm side and a medium one on the cool side, both regulated by a thermostat. I've got solid plexi glass on the top with a few holes drilled in it to keep some circulation going so its pretty well sealed and keeps the heat in great, its just a pain with humidity.

I was already planning on getting a waterfall just becuase I have to spray every two hours to keep the humidity up around 55%, and when I'm at work (like I have been thro this whole thred...SHHHH... as well) I have my girlfriend or room mate spray for me ha ha!

I've got her in my room (since the only time I'm in there is while I'm sleeping plus its away from all the traffic in my house and the dog.... etc) So I normally get to see her just before I go to bed. And she always does the same thing, she freezes right when she knows I come in the door. I've got a red light flashlight so she can't really see me when I'm observing but I'm sure she can "smell" me.

I really appreciate everyones input, thanks for being so patient with a noob!

[stratus_020202]

Sorry, i was thinking outloud. i just started putting down the list of what i had, instead of anything that was different. lol. i only have too hides also. it should be enough, but maybe three would make her feel a little more secure. I would just try switching her food around. different colors, different sizes, live vs frozen, male vs female. It could be the smallest thing throwing her off. Once you figure it out, trust me you'll laugh, and then you'll know the one thing that makes your snake different.

[Slim]

The very best advise I can give you is to chalk the 55 gal tank up to a rookie mistake, and go to Target for a 32 qt tub with a secure lid. Set your BP up in there, and give it a week to settle in. Then try feeding again.

[West Coast Jungle]

The very best advise I can give you is to chalk the 55 gal tank up to a rookie mistake, and go to Target for a 32 qt tub with a secure lid. Set your BP up in there, and give it a week to settle in. Then try feeding again.

I think this is good advice, I would also try a live rodent, you will get a much better feeding response