Hides vs. Peek

[jenakle]

Hi guys
I've been playing around with my BPs enclosure, trying to give him more crawling room...its a 30 gal tank...it had a large 1/2 log and a HUGE water bowl, but since he's not a soaker I decided I could go smaller. Also, he pooped on his log so it was out of commission for cleaning.

Various sized boxes were holed and rearranged, trying to figure out what he likes...what's too big/small/too much of a heat trapper. I had one box on warm side (90s) with a side entrance, and a round box with a top entrance on the cool side (low 80s-mid 70s).

He's apparantly playing favorites to the round box now...very rarely ever comes out of it. Since it was on the cool side I was concerned with him suffering for security, so I moved it over to the warm, and replaced the 1/2 log over on the cool side. He's still partial to the round one, no matter where it is. So much that I never see him...at least when it was only 1/2 log straddling warm/cold in the middle, he'd hang out a bit one side or the other depending on what temp he wanted.

I know the obvious answer is to get 2 hides that are identical...and the boxes will go soon just because I know a poo is coming and those aren't washable. But I'm still kinda stuck with the tank not having much room, and most hides I like are fairly cumbersome (fake rock caves). They may have to wait until I get a wider tank.

Any tips/suggestions on getting him to acclimate more between hot-cold-hot so we get to see him a bit more, or just get over it and let him play hermit? Anyone else have picky BPs? or found they prefer a different shape (the tall round w. upper hole vs. low rectangle w. wall entrance).

Guess its time to invest in several hat boxes

[JLC]

They really don't need much floor space. Not as much as you'd think. And they're quite happy to simply slither over the top of their hides if they want to stretch out a little.


You can make hides out of inexpensive plastic boxes like rubbermaid or even plastic plant-pots. Those things are easily cleaned when they're pooped in. Just wipe down...disinfect, and replace. And inexpensive enough that you can have more than two identical ones...and just switch 'em out for cleaning as needed.

They really like hides that are very snug and tight. Later today, I plan to post a little story and some pictures on that very subject.

And do be prepared for him to just be a "hermit." It's what they do.

[cassandra]

It's also a very good idea to use the same type and size for all hides so that snake will choose a temperature over a favorite hide.

Our ball seems to take great pride in getting all of her chubby self, including that unruly fat butt, into one of her hides (we use two identical hides, one on the warm side, one on the cool side). =)

[Aza]

same, two hides the same size on either side but mine are cardboard because i always use some sort of shoebox due to most being the perfect size for her. one entry hole about the size of her thickest section. i replace the cardboard ones fairly often and she hasn't seemed to mind. i see her switch at night whichever she wants so i'm glad the security is fine in both and she is thermoregulating. i like cardboard because it's easy to change. no stress 'cause she has been feeding great so i'd always recommend cardboard if you're alright with the extra replacing. they're cheap and everywhere. she'll also climb on top at night. lovin' it.

[jenakle]

I have seen him in the other one occasionally, just thought it odd that no matter where the round one is, thats the one he picks...it hasnt hindered his eating, although he's still trying to figure out how much to pull out before striking, as he took the box with him last time...lol...pretty funny to see him 'wearing' a box-skirt

[Aza]

lol that's awesome, the skirt thing or maybe in his case a kilt? could you get another hide exactly like the round one that he loves? random: i need to start keeping the hide in when i feed. i usually empty out everything so the rat can't hide. i've heard with hide feeding you should dangle the rat down to ensure a headshot (since i feed live) but empty has been the easiest and then putting back in the water dish and hides. she's always really active right after eating, like she is proud or something, or just expecting more rats to be around, and then the hiding away digesting thing after i put the hides back in. do you feed live? what is the round hide made out of (i'm guessing a cardboard hat box?)?

[jenakle]

yeah, it was a round cardboard box..much like a hat box but kinda smaller like 7" high and 8-9" diameter? ..xmas I believe was when I originally found it, so now of course I can't find ANY.
yes, I live feed and in the tank, and I havent taken hides out but now I wonder if I should

I went ahead and got 2 large plastic hide boxes, since they're easy to clean and now he can't play favorites...although now I feel bad b/c I could tell he loved that box!
I haven't fed yet (letting him acclimate to new boxes/fake plants), and I'm still questioning whether to feed outside the cage or to just strip out the extra hiding spots
I'll post pics of new enclosure soon!
a breeder vs. tall makes such a HUGE difference on decorating space with a 30 gallon!