New to snakes and have some questions.

[Solinger]

I know that's not an original thought but here goes.

I have read a lot regarding when to feed and what it means if my snake won't. None of what I have read actually describes what it might be like the first time I feed it.

This weekend will be a week since it has eaten and the first time I will be attempting to feed since bringing her home. What should I expect? I plan on setting up a feeder tank and letting the F/T mouse sit for a little while to build up the scent. I guess I want to know how long to leave them together before giving up?

Also, in clear english can someone give me a little advice on a timer/thermostat combo for an under the tank heater set up? I am new to the snake world and the abbreviations aren't a second language for me yet.

Currently I have a heater on the side of the tank (it was the "suggested" method in the instructions for the under the tank heater) and use a "daylight bulb" and a black "night bulb" on a 12 hour cycle. Initially I had some humidity issues but I ended up covering half of my 20L tank with a piece of glass from an old picture frame and that pretty much solved my issue. I can take a picture of it if anyone really needs to see it, but it's just your standard newbie tank set up. Big bowl, two hides and a heat gradient.

I am also thinking of switching to either a mat or newsprint when I clean her tank this weekend simply for the cleaner appearance. My questions here are, will this cause stress? and will it make balancing humidity harder? Currently the substrate is Douglas Fir.

I have no other reason to change the heating situation except that the under the tank heater seems like a popular choice and I want my snake to be as happy and healthy as we can make it.

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to offer advice.

I did do research before we got going but just like most things new to me, live and learn. It's never as easy as it looks after you jump in...

[Kaorte]

For feeding, I would just give it to him in his home enclosure. Takes the stress out of moving him around. I feed mine around midnight and leave the feeder in there until morning. If it is uneaten I throw it away, but it is usually gobbled up when I am not looking.

For your UTH and for your lamps, you need a control. For the UTH I recommend a reptitemp 500r thermostat. You can sometimes find these in pet stores but your best bet is to check online. For the lamp, I would get a dimmer. You can find these at home depot in the lighting section. They are piggy pack dimmers, you just plug the lamp into the dimmer and the dimmer into the wall outlet. This lets you control the intensity of the light and the the temperature.

Another important thing that goes along with heating is proper thermometers. The most reliable are the digital thermometers with an external probe.

If you are going to switch your substrate, don't switch to any type of reusable substrate. They get nasty very fast.

[Solinger]

I was wondering if the feeder tank was going overboard. I think I'll take your advice and leave her in the tank the first time around.

I appreciate the suggestions for temperature control. I'll do more research with that in mind.

I was leery about a reusable mat too. Does anyone think it's too soon to switch the type of substrate?

I think I'm just over thinking all of it. I know the home she's in now is much less stressful than the pet store must have been but I can't help it.

[Kaorte]

You could still switch the substrate, I don't think it is as stressful as changing cage furniture.

If your BP is spending most of its time in its hides then I am sure it will be fine to change the substrate, might as well get it over with

[blackcrystal22]

Just make sure you have something to control the UTH. They get much too hot on their own and need some sort of regulation system like a dimmer or thermostat.

[ItsMichael805]

you can get a cheap dimmer at the home depot for 14 bucks! there called lurtion lamp dimmers!