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  1. #6
    BPnet Lifer Bogertophis's Avatar
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    Soaking in the water bowl, or trying to escape- I'd be very concerned that she is too hot- & you need to take the temperatures NOW, not tomorrow.

    BPs do not like bright lights- fyi. Avoid using them. (Ambient room lighting is plenty for most snakes- & certainly for BPs)

    You're correct to wait for her to settle for AT LEAST a week before offering food. DO NOT HANDLE her. You already know that all these moves are not helping her- and stressed snakes that don't eat can get sick & die- so do everything you can to make this right. Remember this is not her fault.

    That's a lovely enclosure but way too "open" for a shy BP- IMO, she's not going to feel safe in there. Covering the back, sides & part of the front may help, but it's still pretty big. I don't have a crystal ball to foresee the future, as to how long it will take, or even IF she'll settle down in there & eat for you. Moving her so many times is a huge mistake. Good luck- you'll need it.

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    This will sound crazy but I'll suggest it anyway- take it or leave it-

    That decor is lovely but not what this snake needs. Stick to basics- proper temperatures & humidity, plenty of room to hide.

    If that was suddenly MY snake, knowing what she's been thru, to make her feel safe & secure I'd probably empty out that tank (everything above the substrate) & either find or MAKE a HUGE cardboard hide that covers most ALL the bottom- making an enclosed "first floor"- and I mean wall to wall*. (*It will need to be slightly smaller than the opening on top of the tank- there is that molding to consider- and I'm assuming this opens on the top???)

    You can cut down clean boxes & tape them together (make sure no unstuck tape is sticking out that a snake can get stuck ON)- open on the bottom like normal hides, but essentially making a totally enclosed "dark-room" for the snake- & then cut 2 holes ("doorways") on top a little ways apart, just big enough for the snake to come out when & IF she wants. This "hide" should be just a little taller than she is- about 3" would be nice. Underneath this hide I would put a few smaller, cozier hides- boxes are fine for now- so she can feel totally snug & secure.

    Add some moisture to the substrate before you install this, then leave it alone & don't worry about humidity for right now. (Cardboard boxes absorb water so don't be spraying them, lol.) Put a small water bowl under this giant hide also. So all you'll see is a giant, flat "box-hide" with exit holes if she wants to come up & out. Leave it up to her.

    You can add some lightweight "cover" on top of this hide so she doesn't feel exposed if & when she comes out- actually an old towel might be nice- it's soft, offers some traction & if you rumple it up, she may like to go under it. Once she moves in, DO NOT pick up the hide to spy on her- wait. The entire goal is to help your snake feel safe enough to eat & settle in.

    In the evenings, you should see her getting brave enough to peek out of the doorways, & ultimately to come up topside to explore. After you see that for several days, try offering food in the evening when she is peeking out- let her grab & take it in to eat- DO NOT LOOK. Wait- if she eats it, you'll smell nothing- if you bother her & she rejects it- your nose will let you know the next day, at which time you'll have to fish it out. So better to not offer food the first time you see her peek out, but let that continue for several nights to make SURE she's ready to eat & for best results; hopefully she will ultimately eat for you & settle in. If this works, you'll want to wait as long as possible (thru several feedings) before gradually reducing & removing this "box-hide".

    Like I said, this is what I'd do, & also put another bowl of water (not too heavy!) on top, just in case the inside bowl goes dry.
    Last edited by Bogertophis; 06-16-2023 at 03:36 PM.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

    The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” ~ Gandhi

  2. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Bogertophis For This Useful Post:

    Armiyana (06-16-2023),GoingPostal (07-03-2023),mistergreen (06-16-2023)

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