I don't want to be too paranoid

[whispersinmyhead]

We have had our 7 month old female pastel a month. She is my first snake. She just ate her second meal tonight. Now she started using both hides the first week and then she burrowed under the big log in the front right side of the cage. That is also the cool side. Now she had a very hard time getting under it and I also checked to make sure it was stable and not going to shift. I made sure it wasn't on any substrate once I discovered she her using it. I replaced both hides with caves now that are smaller so she can feel more secure but and the warm side hide now is 92 on top and 88-90 inside.

My question is do I have to worry about her getting stuck as she eats and grows? I did removed that big log tonight because she had such a hard time getting in it and that scared me a little.

My second question is, aren't they supposed to go to the warm side after a meal so they can digest properly?

Thanks
Jim

[Mike41793]

No, the tighter the hide the better. It would be impossible for her to get stuck in one of those half log hides. I would definetly keep her in there. I love your setup, looks nice!

[Inarikins]

The snake will regulate as it sees fit, but be aware that they'll pick security over proper temperatures so make sure your hides are identical. So long as they're identical she'll move between them as she wants to.

[whispersinmyhead]

I have replace the two half logs with Exo-Terra caves that are smaller and more secure. She still likes to dig under that big log/branch in the front right side of the cage. That is also the cool side. I really like having it in there but worried because she loves it under it and there is just enough room for her and she had a very hard time getting under it tonight. I removed it for now. She has chosen the cool side cave for now.

Can they get stuck it small places or do they know better?
Should I worry that she is on the cool side after eating?

[Bill T]

I agree with mike as long as she can get herself in there i dont see a problem arising. BP's will stuff themselves in the smallest spot possible sometimes. if both hides are identical then there should be no worries. Gorgeous set up by the way. nicely done

[whispersinmyhead]

if both hides are identical then there should be no worries. Gorgeous set up by the way. nicely done

Thanks! I love the cage and she does explore quite a bit at night.

I guess I am worried because the log/ branch is the on that appears to be sticking out of the substrate. It wasn't meant to be a hide. The actual hides she stopped using. That is what worries me.

[Inarikins]

Try moving it to the warm side. See if she's picking it because it's on the cool side or because that's the kind of hide she prefers. You might have to get a second branch and those will just be her hides until she grows out of them.