The Importance of Hiding

[Patricia]

A couple of weeks ago our li'l BP went through a maddening spell of daytime roaming and non-stop trying to escape, i.e. constantly vertical in the tank, poking around the screen cover. It also refused food for the first time since we got it in late June.

It was suggested that I fill the tank with crumpled newspaper, which I tried unsuccessfully due to anything near the water becoming dripping wet. Instead, I put only a single layer of crumpled newspaper on the bottom, and around the water dish so no paper touched the water.

It's been 2 weeks, and what a difference that newspaper has made! Now that Patriot is constantly hidden (the newspaper also covers part of the hide doorways) even when he's out 'n' about, well, he's hardly ever out 'n' about anymore! In fact, I've never seen so little of Patriot until the addition of newspaper. Now, looking back, I realize that what seemed like normal BP activity (not knowing what "normal" actually is) for the month prior was probably still a little stress. In comparison, he's a an out-of-sight, contented BP curled up in his warm hide (even avoided that for nearly a week!), and an hour ago downed a mouse in record time.

If I hadn't seen this for myself, I wouldn't fully appreciate what an effect crumpled newspaper and the total hiding it provides would have! It's almost magical in our case!

[coolluigi007]

A couple of weeks ago our li'l BP went through a maddening spell of daytime roaming and non-stop trying to escape, i.e. constantly vertical in the tank, poking around the screen cover. It also refused food for the first time since we got it in late June.

It was suggested that I fill the tank with crumpled newspaper, which I tried unsuccessfully due to anything near the water becoming dripping wet. Instead, I put only a single layer of crumpled newspaper on the bottom, and around the water dish so no paper touched the water.

It's been 2 weeks, and what a difference that newspaper has made! Now that Patriot is constantly hidden (the newspaper also covers part of the hide doorways) even when he's out 'n' about, well, he's hardly ever out 'n' about anymore! In fact, I've never seen so little of Patriot until the addition of newspaper. Now, looking back, I realize that what seemed like normal BP activity (not knowing what "normal" actually is) for the month prior was probably still a little stress. In comparison, he's a an out-of-sight, contented BP curled up in his warm hide (even avoided that for nearly a week!), and an hour ago downed a mouse in record time.

If I hadn't seen this for myself, I wouldn't fully appreciate what an effect crumpled newspaper and the total hiding it provides would have! It's almost magical in our case!

Any of my hatchlings, or stressed out balls get the newspaper treatment. Works every time!!!