snake seems to dislike new bedding

[nixx]

I purchased my bp for my son for his birthday in July. We tried coconut bark, and it was too messy. I switched to rept carpet after a week. It seemed to work fine, but a bit of a pain to clean. Last week I put in cypress mulch. It keeps the humidity really high, like 90+, but the snake stays off of it. He seems to stay on his climbing log all the time. Could it be that the humidity is too high? I have a digital hydrometer about 16" above the floor and it has ready between 92-99% for the week. The cypress came in a bag from petsmart, and I believe that it was very moist, when I put it in, the sides of the tank fogged up.

He is in a glass aquarium (44 long) and the top is interesting. There is a glass piece in the middle, for support, it is about 12" wide. I have glass pieces on both ends that I can slide to allow more air, and reduce/increase humidity. and a screen top above that.

Any help would be great, I really don't want anything to happen to him, my boy loves him. He is still a little afraid to hold him for too long, but he is only 6, so he has plenty of time.

[mpkeelee]

Dry it out and try it again. Moist bedding can cause a lot of issues so u want it dry. The humidity needs to drop a lot also and the dry bedding will help that.

[BbyBoa]

That Humidity is really high, short term it prob wont hurt anything, but if its like that all the time, then it could cause your snake to get sick. If it was me I would take your bedding out and let it dry in the sun or in your house or something. Until then you can keep your snake on newspaper or paper towels or something like that. Once it drys, just toss it back in your cage and you should be good to go. "it shouldn't take long to dry at all, especially in the sun". GL hope this helps a little bit.

[nixx]

Thank you for the quick replies. I took everything out of his tank and put him in his "carrying cage" for a short time. I mixed up the bedding and cranked up the uth and the heat lamp. It is really cold here and not much sun so this is all I have right now. It seems to be drying a bit now. I also have it uncovered. I will let you know how it works. Thanks again for the info.

[mpkeelee]

U can always put it in the oven on really low to help dry if u want. Make sure the top of the tank is off to allow good ventilation and it will help dry it

[nixx]

ok, one other question. My snake is about 19-20" and I started feeding fuzzy mice. he takes them really well. I do not have a scale to see the weight, but should I be feeding any bigger? He is in no way thin and not a fatty either, and I feed about once a week. He takes it right away every time. I just want to know if I am feeding the appropriate size. Next I am thinking pinky or fuzzy rats. Please advise.
Thank you all again.

[Annarose15]

It seems very strange that he would climb to escape humidity, since that's impossible. What is your hot spot temp? He may be trying to get away from too much warmth.

As to your feeding question, you can definitely go to at least fuzzy rats (possibly larger, depending on your BP's weight, which is a better indicator than length). I started my hatchlings on those without trouble.

[PitOnTheProwl]

def up the food size..fuzzy rats at the smallest.

[nixx]

the hot spot under the hide about the uth was about 85, on top was close to 90 with the heat lamp. I will check more after I get the cypress dried out and everything set up again.

thanks for the feeding info. I have 2 fuzzy mice left, will up size after those are gone.

[meowmeowkazoo]

Keep the humidity around 50% to 60%.