Now What's Wrong?

[rabernet]

I sort of placed it around the dish. Fill it all the way to the top with the newspaper - I know - it's ugly, but it really does work - it's a Kevin McCurley trick that's been passed on from keeper to keeper!

[mrshawt]

Try a tub maybe? Sometimes they can get bp's to calm down since they aren't nearly as high. Worked for my bp.

[branson]

By no means am I an experienced herper, but I think the first thing you need to do is get the temperature gradient right. Temps in the low 70s aren't really what you want. I used a reptile lamp with my girl for a while (in a tub though) and never had an issue with humidity. I had the lamp positioned about 8-16" above the top of the tub, which I think prevented some of the moisture from being sucked out. Also, you could try covering a portion of the screen with aluminum foil to trap some of that humidity in there. Once you have husbandry nailed, I'd leave the little squirt alone for 5-7 days. The newspaper trick sounds pretty neat and is apparently tried and true. Good luck with the little guy/girl and keep us posted. Hopefully it'll be back to normal in no time.
-- B

[Patricia]

Thanks, folks. I'll find a way to raise the cool temp while maintaining humidity. (Most of the top screen is covered by a towel to help with humidity.)

I've now draped a towel over the entire top and front, which aren't already covered up, so that it has total seclusion.

[Patricia]

it's ugly, but it really does work - it's a Kevin McCurley trick that's been passed on from keeper to keeper!

Robin, THANK YOU!!! I don't know if it's the newspaper, having the entire tank covered like a bird cage, or a combination of the two, but it's WORKING!!!

When I peeked around 6 hours ago, and now at midnight removing the covering, there's no BP climbing the walls. Patriot is not only in his hide, but he's in the WARM one, which he hasn't been in in days!

A question: How do you manage to fill the tank with newspapers while keeping them out of the water? When I looked both earlier and again now, those pieces around it were dripping wet, which I replaced. If this is an effort to keep him left alone with no disturbance so as to calm down, having to lift the cover off to replace newspaper several times a day is backfiring.

Oh, and with the entire screen being covered for a few hours, the humidity is at 78% now!

[rabernet]

That is awesome! You could just leave the part where the water dish is empty, and fill it up all around. Next feeding day, drop in an appropriately sized live mouse (or rat, if that's what you're feeding), walk away and check back in 1/2 an hour. It should be gone!

I'm glad to hear that the paper has helped to settle him down (I knew it would though! )

Please keep us posted!