Adult BP in a small tank??

[Tarzan152]

Hey folks. I was hoping you could help me decide on what to do with my adult BP, Scarlos Estevez aka Scar, who has stopped eating since I placed him in a larger tank. I got him off of Craigslist in March and had him in a 20 gallon long tank for about a month until I was able to get him into a 35 gallon breeder tank (pictured) in April. He ate like a champ since day one in the smaller tank but I felt he was cramped in there. He is an adult Normal BP, about 5 feet long and weighs about 4.5 pounds.


In the bigger tank, I added a climbing branch and I thought he'd be "happier" but he hasn't eaten since he's been in it. The temps and humidity are just fine, checked regularly, and he hasn't lost enough weight to be a concern. The vet gave him a clean bill of health. I've tried feeding him in complete darkness, at night when he is out, zombie dance, the dangle, leaving the f/t overnight in his tank... Nothing seems to work. The only difference I can think of that is effecting him. When in the smaller tank, I could say the word rat and he would come out of his hide. Ha ha..

I'm either thinking of putting him back in the 20 gal tank, hopping that'll do the trick but feel bad because he looks cramped, or adding more clutter to his bigger tank. Thanks in advance for your thoughts, comments and/or suggestions.

PS. The bricks on top of his hides are secured onto the hide. It prevents him from moving the hides as he gets in and out of them. Without the extra weight, I would find the hides half way across the tank, flipped over or half his body hanging out the bottom of the hide.



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[Zombree]

First, I really love your signature, lol. Second, I have heard of a lot of snakes refuse food once being moved into a even slightly larger enclosure. I know the previous enclosure may seem cramped, but as long as he had room to 1.) go potty somewhere not on himself 2.) get water 3.) have a secure hide, I think maybe moving him back into the old one would be okay. I am not suggesting it as a better or wiser decision because ball pythons often go off-feeding for months anyway, so he'll be fine for awhile I am sure even if he doesn't like this new enclosure outright. But I have heard of some snakes just wanting to be in smaller enclosures than what is often recommended. Is this the case for your snake? I don't know.
But it just comes down to preference, and hopefully others will comment and help, too on this one.

[Tarzan152]

@ Zombree. First, I crack up every time I read my own signature and thank you. Secondly, I just feel bad putting him back in a smaller enclosure but I do understand that if that is what's making him feel secure, then it had to be that way. I got him from a guy on Craigslist who housed him in a small plastic bin. He was a breeder of sorts so I'm guessing Scar just got used to the cramped space. I currently have 2 other snakes that did well when upgraded. Scar may just be the oddball in the bunch.. ha..

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[Zombree]

Yeah I am not sure what to tell you more than that some snakes are really particular- or as you said, become used to the enclosure size, environment they were used to being housed inside for the previous time. I have tried to upgrade my red tail but he only ever occupies as little of it as he can, so I wonder if I should just downgrade him again. Maybe house him in the previous enclosure for a week and try to feed him again, see if anything changes. If not, go from there Sorry I couldn't be anymore help.

[ElliotNess]

Are you feeding him in the 35? I pull my snakes out and place them in a small glass with a heat pad when I feed them. Try feeding in a cardboard box or something that is smaller and more safe feeling for him.

[Tarzan152]

Are you feeding him in the 35? I pull my snakes out and place them in a small glass with a heat pad when I feed them. Try feeding in a cardboard box or something that is smaller and more safe feeling for him.

Yes, I've tried feeding him in the 35 gallon breeder tank (which is the upgrade) to no avail. By all accounts, he seems very comfortable in that new tank. He goes from hot to cool side often, hangs out at night watching us all get ready for bed. He'll even just hang half in and half out of his hides just chilling. My only problem is he wont eat in there. I've tried feeding him in a smaller plastic bin which I use occasionally with the other snakes for feeding or temporary housing while I clean their cage. Again, no luck with Scar. He just wont eat. I do understand that BPs are notorious for going off feed for months at a time and I'm used to that. I've BPs for 9+ years. I just find it weird that Scar hasnt eaten since getting into the new tank. Feeding him in a cardboard box may work since it'll seem more enclosed than a see-thru plastic bin and the only way out would be passing the meal. I'll try that at his next feeding. Thanks.

[Zombree]

Are you feeding him in the 35? I pull my snakes out and place them in a small glass with a heat pad when I feed them. Try feeding in a cardboard box or something that is smaller and more safe feeling for him.

I don't have to do this anymore, but this actually reminds me of when I had to "brown-bag" my boa c. in order for him to eat. He would not eat in anything unless he was inside a brown paper lunch bag, stapled up with his food inside. It helped him feel secure, he was engorged by the smell of his prey, and no one was judging how much he ate. Took his meal every time. Cardboard box might work just as well. Good idea!

[CORBIN911]

Theres a few things, "Those coco bricks" use them and toss that carpet, it holds mold/bacteria IMO!

As for feeding do this!

1) Go in in the dark as to not casue too much distruption
2) Buy black paint/paper and black out the 2 sides and back of the tank ( I used that plasti dip stuff when i had my tank)
3) Just leave the mouse on the warm side! over night it should be gone, My lavender spider girl never has or will take off tongs, she whacks it over n over but unless i drop in and close tub she wont eat!
4) He could just be fasting/thinking its time to breed aslong as his weight loss isnt anything huge, just let him relax, hell eat again if everything is done properly.

[Tarzan152]

Nevet thought of the "smothering him in the smell" effect. Putting him in a box or bag and closing it with the warm food in it just might work. I like it.

@Corbin911, I know a good number of members here have a concern with carpets but they work for me. I appreciate the input tho.

As for feeding, 1) I do Fred him in total darkness. No background noise. No tv and I wear a red LED headlamp so I can see what I'm doing. 2) 3 sides of his tank are covered with brown kraft paper. I've even covered the front when feeding so he'll have total privacy but still no luck. 3) I have left the f/t overnight in his tank on the hot side but still nothing. 4) He isn't losing weight to the point where it concerns but but I just found it strange that he stopped his voracious eating once he got in the new tank. When I attempt to feed him, he doesn't cower from the f/t, he just smells it and walls away which tells me he just might be fasting in order to celebrate his me place. Ha.. I would just like to see him eat again. That's all..


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