New Queenbee Boy

[My2Boyz]

Hello friends.. Me and my 2 boys are new to this forum. My recent addition is a male Queenbee that is around 1.5 yrs old.
I got him from a friend of a friend who is a breeder....
Anyways, long story short... my boy was recently housed in a rack system and now that I have him he is in a 28Q bin with UTH at one end. There is also a hide at the hot end as well.

So this is what I am experiencing with him since bringing him home (now 1 week)... He does not really use the hide and he is usually on top of the hide or curled up in a corner on the cool side.... The temp is on thermostat to stay between 90-94 degrees and I am using cypress mulch which provides nice humidity. Tried to feed him this past Sunday (which was a week since bringing him home) and he did not want it. The breeder he came from feed him both frozen and live....

So why is he not using the hide? Is it because he used to be in a rack system? If so, will he settle into what I have for him? Should I remove the hide and not have anything in with him except a water bowl?

My other python is in same set up and doing great, but he is also younger being 6 months... Your suggestions are greatly appreciated - Thanks!!

[Sarabi]

I'm new to snakes, however, I very recently got a baby female ball python. For the first week, she didn't go in either of her hides. She usually curled up on top of the plants, just under the terrariums screen or in the corner, on top of the substrate. It wasn't until after I fed her that she went into her warm hide. Since then, she spends most of the daylight hours there.

I had a little trouble getting her to feed the first time (I feed frozen/thawed). So, I took a needle and punctured the cranium of the mouse. After that, she took the hopper mouse within less than a minute.

Good luck.

[My2Boyz]

I'm new to snakes, however, I very recently got a baby female ball python. For the first week, she didn't go in either of her hides. She usually curled up on top of the plants, just under the terrariums screen or in the corner, on top of the substrate. It wasn't until after I fed her that she went into her warm hide. Since then, she spends most of the daylight hours there.

I had a little trouble getting her to feed the first time (I feed frozen/thawed). So, I took a needle and punctured the cranium of the mouse. After that, she took the hopper mouse within less than a minute.

Good luck.

Thanks you for your reply @Sarabi..... I hope that is the case with my Guy? But I must say.... 53 views so far on my post and only one person took the time to kindly give Feedback!,,, I thought this forum was where you could ask for advice, not have your post looked at and ignored... I mean, we all are on here to help each other right??

Thanks again

[Stormy]

Thanks you for your reply @Sarabi..... I hope that is the case with my Guy? But I must say.... 53 views so far on my post and only one person took the time to kindly give Feedback!,,, I thought this forum was where you could ask for advice, not have your post looked at and ignored... I mean, we all are on here to help each other right??

Thanks again

How are you measuring temps? Have you been handling him at all? Is the UTH on the thermostat? Just wanting to see how your husbandry is; it may be he's just stressed out and needs some more time to settle in. No handling until he starts eating for you; only go into his enclosure for spot cleaning, water and feeding. Feed him in his enclosure to help reduce stress; also try feeding at night and you might have better luck getting him to eat for you.

[dissolvetheair23]

Hello friends.. Me and my 2 boys are new to this forum. My recent addition is a male Queenbee that is around 1.5 yrs old.
I got him from a friend of a friend who is a breeder....
Anyways, long story short... my boy was recently housed in a rack system and now that I have him he is in a 28Q bin with UTH at one end. There is also a hide at the hot end as well.

So this is what I am experiencing with him since bringing him home (now 1 week)... He does not really use the hide and he is usually on top of the hide or curled up in a corner on the cool side.... The temp is on thermostat to stay between 90-94 degrees and I am using cypress mulch which provides nice humidity. Tried to feed him this past Sunday (which was a week since bringing him home) and he did not want it. The breeder he came from feed him both frozen and live....

So why is he not using the hide? Is it because he used to be in a rack system? If so, will he settle into what I have for him? Should I remove the hide and not have anything in with him except a water bowl?

My other python is in same set up and doing great, but he is also younger being 6 months... Your suggestions are greatly appreciated - Thanks!!

1. What is the temp of the substrate, should shoot for 87-89f temps might be to high for him. Also what is the ambient temp? in the room.
2. usually takes 2 weeks to acclimate him to his new setting. After fixing husbandry leave him alone for 2 weeks then try a small rodent.
3. What is the exact humidity, cypress tends to hold more moisture. Ideal is 50% humidity.
4. Also when he uses the restroom pay attention to the stool for signs of parasites, diarrhea etc.. should look nice brown solids with occasional white pellet of uric acid.
5. UTH needs to be on a thermostat to help regulate the temp in the enclosure.

[Albert Clark]

I think he needs more time to become acclimated to the new enclosure. Also, feel it's important for feeding success to not handle him until he's eaten for you at least 3 to 5 times. Definitely try feeding in the dark as opposed to daylight or in artificial bright light. Good luck.

[My2Boyz]

I think he needs more time to become acclimated to the new enclosure. Also, feel it's important for feeding success to not handle him until he's eaten for you at least 3 to 5 times. Definitely try feeding in the dark as opposed to daylight or in artificial bright light. Good luck.

Thanks you @AlbertClark... I think I argee with you about needing more time to settle in.. I've taken out the basic black box hide and now trying a hide that looks like a stone with an opening to go inside.. I've placed it over the heat source and turned the opening of the hide to the corner that shows little light in.. That way it's darker and he can't see me moving around... He has been in there 2 nights now ... so guess that's a good sign. Will try feeding again this weekend but in darker light.

Thanks again everyone for your feedback.. greatly appreciated

[ladywhipple02]

I think he needs more time to become acclimated to the new enclosure. Also, feel it's important for feeding success to not handle him until he's eaten for you at least 3 to 5 times. Definitely try feeding in the dark as opposed to daylight or in artificial bright light. Good luck.

Putting a blanket over the cage can help them feel more secure during feeding times, if you don't have a dark room.

[My2Boyz]

Putting a blanket over the cage can help them feel more secure during feeding times, if you don't have a dark room.

Thanks @ladywhipple...but can they still get air into their enclosure? The blanket would be covering up the air holes!!

[ladywhipple02]

Sure thing... We live in a very old drafty house with varying air currents, so my snakes actually have a blanket over them for most of the winter. Helps humidity too, and they've never have a problem breathing