Questions about my daughter's new BP

[rosiegirl]

I would strive for 60-65% humidity, but 50% is totally fine. Just make sure to boost them during shed. If you or your daughter aren’t sure of what methods you could apply to increase humidity, feel free to ask. I would also suggest adding a humidity box, that way you won’t have to worry so much about keeping the humidity up to 65-70% during shed.

To answer one of your earlier questions(apologies if someone did reply... there was just too much unnecessary reading):
A humidity box is not required, but it doesn’t hurt to have. However if you find that your snake spends ALL their time in there, then I would opt to put it in only when they are in shed. If they sit in there for long periods of time(and I mean days on end in there) there is an increased risk of scale rot.

Don’t be alarmed if your snake is in there through the duration of the day! That’s okay, as long as they are moving and getting around at night. I can usually tell that my snakes are active because stuff moves around, whether that he substrate or some plants/decorations.

Yes, the humidity levels are definitely dropping in there now that the substrate has dried out a bit. We will spray it and cover most of the mesh cover, thanks!

We will probably buy a humidity box to be sure, as well. And he is definitely moving around at night, he comes out around 7pm and starts exploring!

[Danger noodles]

I would like to say most people here don’t have an issue with live if it’s all your snake will take. But in general I fell feeding fresh dead then frozen/thawed is best for most snake due to the FACT that dead rats can’t bite. I spent a lot of money at the time for my bp and I’d be devastated if one day he got his eye bit out by a rat. The bigger rats can put up a fight, and I don’t know about u but none of my bp’s can strike perfect every time. Heck mine have missed the rat completely before and it can’t move lol

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Oh yeah btw Craig u can quote me any time sweetie pie!!

[Craiga 01453]

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Oh yeah btw Craig u can quote me any time sweetie pie!!

Awwww, shucks. Thanks handsome, I think i will

Since it's come up a few times.... There's nothing at all wrong with feeding live...if done responsibly. I have fed live and will in the future if the situation calls for it.
But I will feed F/T 100 times out of 100 assuming the snake is taking it.

[walzon1]

I would like to say most people here don’t have an issue with live if it’s all your snake will take. But in general I fell feeding fresh dead then frozen/thawed is best for most snake due to the FACT that dead rats can’t bite. I spent a lot of money at the time for my bp and I’d be devastated if one day he got his eye bit out by a rat. The bigger rats can put up a fight, and I don’t know about u but none of my bp’s can strike perfect every time. Heck mine have missed the rat completely before and it can’t move lol

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Oh yeah btw Craig u can quote me any time sweetie pie!!

That's all well and good for you, but one thing that nobody talks about when your a new owner is, what to do when your BP doesn't take frozen thawed. Well basically you get to throw it in the trash, perfectly healthy rat thrown away as garbage. In my opinion "rat lives matter" too. I have thrown at least half a dozen rats away trying to switch him over. It's horrible. I hate it. Feeding live is zero waste if he doesn't eat I just take it back the rat lives to fight another day. Ethically, I can't find a way to overcome this if I can find a way to switch and get gauranteed success I would, and might in the future.

And Craig you can quote me anytime as well just remember it takes two to tango, and I can dance all night

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[Craiga 01453]

That's all well and good for you, but one thing that nobody talks about when your a new owner is, what to do when your BP doesn't take frozen thawed. Well basically you get to throw it in the trash, perfectly healthy rat thrown away as garbage. In my opinion "rat lives matter" too. I have thrown at least half a dozen rats away trying to switch him over. It's horrible. I hate it. Feeding live is zero waste if he doesn't eat I just take it back the rat lives to fight another day. Ethically, I can't find a way to overcome this if I can find a way to switch and get gauranteed success I would, and might in the future.

And Craig you can quote me anytime as well just remember it takes two to tango, and I can dance all night

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Well, since I have your permission...

I agree with you in that "rat lives matter" and also hate seeing a life "wasted". There are a few solutions though...

1) get more snakes! And not BPs. A colubrid or carpet or some other garbage disposal that will eat the refusals (I know, not an option for everyone).

2) although not ideal, the general consensus is that you can refreeze a prey item one time. I'm honestly not sure why once is okay, but I know plenty of people who've done it without issue.

3) you can always toss the prey outside, some neighborhood animal will enjoy the treat. At least this way it's not a total waste.

But, yeah, I agree with you 100% wasting a "life" sucks.

[jmcrook]

I agree with what craig has said. This is not relevant to the OPs intentions for the thread at all but I will say that transitioning to F/T can be less than pleasant but is well worth it. I’ve only had to put in serious effort to switch one animal and it required offering a fresh killed prey item.

Having said that, some animals will never switch. But until all options have been tried it’s worth some continued effort. I agree wasting feeders sucks but sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette.


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[Igotsmallballs]

I agree with what craig has said. This is not relevant to the OPs intentions for the thread at all but I will say that transitioning to F/T can be less than pleasant but is well worth it. I’ve only had to put in serious effort to switch one animal and it required offering a fresh killed prey item.

Having said that, some animals will never switch. But until all options have been tried it’s worth some continued effort. I agree wasting feeders sucks but sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette.


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Speaking of omelettes. I guess we are lucky enough to own chickens. They love rodents. Nothing goes to waste. Just waiting on my little Kingsnake to grow up and be another garbage disposal option.

[Snagrio]

Well, since I have your permission...

I agree with you in that "rat lives matter" and also hate seeing a life "wasted". There are a few solutions though...

1) get more snakes! And not BPs. A colubrid or carpet or some other garbage disposal that will eat the refusals (I know, not an option for everyone).

2) although not ideal, the general consensus is that you can refreeze a prey item one time. I'm honestly not sure why once is okay, but I know plenty of people who've done it without issue.

3) you can always toss the prey outside, some neighborhood animal will enjoy the treat. At least this way it's not a total waste.

But, yeah, I agree with you 100% wasting a "life" sucks.

Another suggestion if one has a yard would be to bury the carcass under a tree. Good fertilizer.

[Zincubus]

Speaking of omelettes. I guess we are lucky enough to own chickens. They love rodents. Nothing goes to waste. Just waiting on my little Kingsnake to grow up and be another garbage disposal option.

I always thought chickens were herbivores eating just grain /seeds ... interesting


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[Igotsmallballs]

I always thought chickens were herbivores eating just grain /seeds ... interesting


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They will literally rip a mouse in half fighting over it.