I know I will say things that have been said already but here are my opinions.
- Your hide is fine as long as it isn't too big, you just need another one for the other side so she can thermoregulate. (meaning if she is too warm, she can go to her cool side hide, and visa versa.) You don't want her having to choose between security and comfort.
- The human heating pads aren't entirely suitable for her. Get a reptile-specific stick-on UTH (under the tank heater). Or you can get some flexwatt heat tape from places like reptilebasics.com. (he even wires it for you if you ask).
- Also, your warm side fluctuates way too much. It should be between 92-94 degrees F. To do this I suggest to first get the flexwatt or the UTH, (which'll only run you $20-$30) and have that plugged into a Thermostat. A Thermostat regulates whatever you plug into it. If you are strapped for cash a really cheap Thermostat is the Zoo-Med Reptiptemp 500R. It is only around $25 and works great for 1-2 enclosures. I use it and it only fluctuates 1 degree at the most.
http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=75
- As for housing two or more BP's together, I would personally never ever do it. If you have two BP's in one enclosure, you'll never know who poops, sheds, or pee's. If one snake gets sick, the other will too and that doubles your vet bills. They would also have to share the best spots in the tank and to me that wont equal a happy BP. I have heard there may be dominance and eating issues although it isn't exactly proven, why take that risk?
Some alternatives I can suggest to you are:
- Have 1 BP in a tub. Very cost efficient and doesn't take up much space at all.
- Split your 20 Gallon (If it's a long) into two. (temporary)
- House one BP in a 10 gallon. (temporary)
- As for the book smell, she could just be interested in it. I second that you should be careful where you bring her. I personally wouldn't bring a snake anywhere but the safety of my own house/yard and pet stores. People are insanely scared of snakes and when people are in fear they do some pretty stupid things. Also some store owners/managers may not appreciate it very much.
- BP's are very head shy. She should grow out of it once she gets used to it.
- It's normal that she is nervous around other people. In my opinion BP's can sense other people's emotions to a point and they seem to be more nervous around people who are nervous around them.Plus, it's a new scent to them.
- As far as I know BP's personality doesn't really 'change' as they mature. A female BP is usually sexually mature by their second or third winter.
- I've heard of people feeding their BP's birds like quail so if she is hungry enough and comes across your budgies, (or cockatiels when she is big enough) she may try to go for them. My Pastel seems to have an interest in my cockatiels scent for sure. I am not worried, he'll never be small enough to fit into their cage plus they are too big of a meal for him right now!
- I'd assume their sight isn't all that well since they are nocturnal and rely on their heat pits to find their prey.
- Why reluctant to buy frozen? I love frozen, I feel content that I can always find the right size at the right time right in my own home every feeding day.
Phew... I hope this helped.!
Reply With Quote