Seeking caging feedback

[sweety314]

Zeus is in a stearlite 1970? w/the two snap closures on the ends. Temps are 84/94 and he uses his hides regularly.

Rob said he went on a fast last fall, and other than a "medium" sort of rat, he hasn't eaten for 3 months. He'd much rather come OUT and explore every time I feed, whether it be at night, during the day, put the rat in front of his nose, leave it on the hot side, cover him up w/a dark towel, leave him uncovered.

The last time he ate, it was a smaller than normal rat (see above), left in the bedding on the hot side, and his tub was covered for about an hour. When I came back, the rat was gone.

Question is...I just got a 3 tub rack from Steve (SPJ) and they're 30 qt. tubs. Would that be big enough for Zeus? He's weighed in @ 1940g (down 20g) since the prev. weigh-in a month ago. If I use 'em, there won't be enough room for hides, snake AND water bowl, so it would be just snake and water bowl.

I'm thinking of moving Freddie out too, into the 3rd tub, since he's fasting as well.

I know they like smaller, but is 30qt TOO small???

It could just be, like w/Rob, the fast will end w/the warmer weather. This is the first winter I've had both of these guys. *sigh*

Thanks for the feedback.

[JLC]

I don't have personal experience with this....but from what I've seen, when breeders keep snakes in smaller-tub racks, they often only have one hide (and a small water dish, of course). The tub itself is very secure, so no need for lots of hides.

If you've already got the rack and tubs, it probably wouldn't hurt to try putting them in there. Give them a few weeks to see if they like it and start/continue eating regularly.

[Ginevive]

My snakes are all feeding faster and sharper since putting them in the racks.. but I am using 41-qt tubs. I think that they feel more secure in there; then again, I had them in tanks before, not tubs..

[sweety314]

Thx for the info ladies. I had some live ratties and tried one. Zeus NAILED it and gobbled it up. I then tried a 2nd. He grabbed and ate that one too. They're about 6 (maybe 8?) wks. old and the males that I don't want to keep. I was going to gas them but ran out of CO2. Since it looks like Zeus-y might like live (before I try FT again) I'll grow out some of the babies that are still nursing, and I have 3 of my newest girls preggers.


I'll wait to see if he keeps eating for about 4 more weeks, and then try the FT again. If that doesn't work, maybe I'll just have to keep some live babies for him. Was going to try the same thing w/Freddie, but Robin was showing him to her cousin, didn't put the lid back on right, so during feeding time, Freddie was an escapee. I found him later that night, but after another one of his adventures, he'll have to wait now until Sunday for another feeding attempt. If he doesn't take the FT, then I'll try a live baby for him, as well. I JUST replaced his hides, yesterday, so maybe that will make a difference.

*I'm thinking of learning how to throw clay, just so I can make all these different sized hides w/holes in them so I don't have to melt/break holes!!!* Sheesh!