UPDATE POST!!!

I have been off the wall with illness, overtime at work, etc...I've finally sat down and returned to the site. Everyone who replied/I've contacted on this forum are wonderful. Vlad has now eaten for me twice, I feed him on Saturday nights. He took down two F/T fuzzy mice my first time feeding him. He came right out after it, didn't struggle, and promptly took a long nap lol. Now this weekend, I was a little concerned!!! I was talking to another owner and I was having a look at Vlad- I thought it appropriate to size up a tad. It seemed he took the mice down like tic-tacs. Anyway- I offered a smaller than average adult mouse. I did the usual prep, dangled the guy in there, and for the first time Vlad struck and constricted his feeder. Yes, it was F/T again- but when I gave him the mice last week, he basically just slithered up and licked (smelled) them before slowly opening his mouth and inhaling them lol.

This time I was so ecstatic to see him do that instinctual snap!!! He dragged the mouse into his hide, which is what I like to see, but I was worried about the size of the mouse and like to watch him eat regardless. So I plopped on the floor out of his field of viewing and peeked in every 5 minutes or so. I was super worried that Vlad couldn't get past those shoulders. One arm just wouldn't go in, and I was starting to panic ("this is too big, hes going to choke, its gonna rupture his belly...") After a lot of moving about, straightening and standing his body up, he finally got the mouse down!!! I noticed he took a little substrate (forest floor) down with the mouse. This intensified my panic as I had to leave town the next day!!! Well I got home to a plumper, well rested snake. He is already looking bigger. But do I go back to the smaller mice or do I continue on with these adult mice?

Also, I added a 5 foot long vine with many leaves to his tank. It offers him constant cover while moving from hide to water or whatever else he enjoys to do. I also took his green leaves and moved them so they hang over his cool hide entry, as he loves it in there and I feel bad he can see me when I come into my room or what have you.

My temperatures are finally perfect 24/7, but the CHE is on the cool side and I'm wondering if this is cause for concern. It is strictly for the ambient air and I didn't want to add it to the warm side at first, i dont know why :/ the stand is 3M'd to the outside of the Viv and I wanna know if when I tear down for cleaning this week I should move that thing over to the warm side.

One more thing- humidity tips? Dropping below 50 when CHE operating. Smagum moss?

This week I'm going to be getting acquainted with vlad through handling in small increments. I can't wait