New here and concerned about feeding/growth

[Kymberli]

Our bigger snake has a digital hygrometer/temp combo thing. The smaller one has digital temps, but the stupid crappy analog hygrometer. I'm going to buy her the same one I have in the other tank (I inherited this second snake, whereas the bigger guy was ours from the start). Both are on thermostats rather than a rheostat to keep the temps appropriate.

I may try the fresh killed first before the live, as I would prefer to keep her on dead prey if possible (our closest supplier is over an hour away and is only there twice a month). Since she still eats, just not as frequently, I just wonder if it really is the prey or something else. When she is hungry she is a quick striker and doesn't waste time. When she is not hungry, she is REALLY not interested.

One other question - both snakes are fed in a separate feeding box since they have loose substrate (I don't want to risk impactions). Should I try laying down a towel and feeding her in her tank instead of the separate feed box?

Trying pre-killed before live is fine, it's not like you have to get her eating now. My Pinstripe I brought home earlier this week hasn't eaten in ten months and I'm not worried to take my time getting him back on feed since he's not deathly skinny like my other two were when I "rescued" them. Are you positive there aren't any other rodent suppliers closer to your home? Sure would make your life easier, lol. Fresh killed is your best bet as a next step, then if that doesn't work try live. If you can get her eating live regulary you may have success switching her back to pre-killed or f/t eventually. The main concern is getting her to eat regularly, kick-start her feeding response and get her on a schedule.

You're right though, the analog hygrometers are crap. They don't read near the actual percentage. My first normal came in a small tank with an analog gauge that read about 30% off of the actualy percentage.

As for the substrate, if you're worried about impaction, switch to newspapers or paper towels and feed them in their enclosures. I prefer using paper towels because you can see any possible mites crawling on them and they're easy to clean, just dump them an put down new ones. You might actually get a better feeding response from her if you feed her in her enclosure where she is most comfortable. If you really want to keep whatever substrate you're using, I suppose you can take out the water bowl and lay down paper towels during feeding, but I'd imagine that'd be too much of a hassle in my opinion. I prefer being able to shut the tub and leave them alone after they strike with no worries of impaction, then I replace their water bowls once they've finished.

[OtterGoRun]

The only closer supplier would be when the annual reptile show comes around. I thought about ordering from an online supplier, but I just cannot justify that shipping cost

As for substrate, it seems like there are tons of varying opinions on it. We did some research before picking one, and ended up with this because of its theoretical advantages of being able to spot clean, and holding temp/humidity better. I have heard of some people using astroturf as well? Basically having two sheets and switching them out while the other is being cleaned.

As for the separate feeding enclosure, again it seemed that opinions varied on this. When we asked the various breeders, it seemed like a pretty even 50/50 split. The one half says feed them in the tank where they are most comfortable, the other half says NEVER feed them in the tank or they will start biting you when you go to just handle them... I swear it is so confusing!

Obviously I am newer to the whole reptile keeping thing. I have a lot of experience with birds and primates (primates at the zoo, NOT in my home just in case you were starting to wonder about my sanity), so I am still learning as I go.

[Kymberli]

Yeah, the shipping costs for frozen feeders is insane. I could only justify paying that if I had a huge amount of snakes, which even then I'd be breeding my own.

There are many opinions/options for proper substrate. Paper towels are a universally accepted option but obviously wouldn't hold humidity more than some substrate would, but since I use tubs I have no issues with holding proper humidity. Astro turf, carpet or the reptile "carpet" sold at pet stores is a horrible option. I can't imagine it would be easy to keep clean, you'd constantly be cleaning it and replacing it.. just not an option for me, lol.

And for feeding in the enclosure..there is quite a bit a controversy with either method and quite a few threads on here regarding which is best. It seems on here when asked by pro-breeders they say feeding in the enclosure is perfectly fine. If you look up SnakeBytes TV on youtube there is a big-time breeder who does "episodes" giving advice and what not, they did an episode on feeding in separate enclosure or in same living enclosure and decided either way is fine. If a snake is going to strike when you reach into their enclosure, it has nothing to do with where it is fed unless your hand smells like a rodent. I feed mine in their tubs and they do not strike at me when I pick them up on any occasion. I'd recommend trying to feed your female in her enclosure.

[OtterGoRun]

Thanks again for your help. I'll keep feeding the big boy in the separate tank (as it seems to be working with him), and I'll try feeding the smaller one in her own enclosure. I got bit once by our big boy on accident around a year ago. He struck at the mouse and missed it and got me instead (oops). Now I never neglect to use the feeding tongs

[Kymberli]

Thanks again for your help. I'll keep feeding the big boy in the separate tank (as it seems to be working with him), and I'll try feeding the smaller one in her own enclosure. I got bit once by our big boy on accident around a year ago. He struck at the mouse and missed it and got me instead (oops). Now I never neglect to use the feeding tongs

I almost had that happen to me once. My genius self decided not to grab the tongs one night and it must be difficult for them to differentiate between heat sources ..struck too close for comfort so I use tongs every time now.

You're welcome! Glad I could help.

[AkHerps]

Yes, I suggest feeding her in her tub/tank. That could be the reason she doesn't want to eat, it can be very stressful.