help please ASAP

[defuze]

I actually ordered another one already from reptilesupply, along with a new thermostat, mine is not working like it should

[tweets_4611]

If your really worried about him, take him to a vet. Noone on here can tell you what is wrong with out actually seeing the snake in person.

But, from what you have said, it does sound like he is getting ready to shed. I know my girl gets pretty 'loose skinned' feeling just before a shed. If he was just born in June, he very well may be shedding again now. They grow pretty quickly when they are little and because of that will shed fairly often.

[defuze]

Well, thanks for your help. He seems he may be shedding soon, I hope so anyway. I guess that would be another reason he isn't wanting to eat also. He strikes, but he doesn't grab them

[starmom]

Can you improvise a make-shift hide in the mean time? Maybe 2 little plastic bowls that you cut a little door into? This would help your snake a lot.

Also, how are you measuring temps while waiting for your new one to come in?

Lastly, please read the sticky that Cassandra wrote up. It is SO good and informative and any of the little tricks (like covering the sides and back of the tank with something dark) will only increase your snake's sense of security.

[defuze]

the sides and back of the tank are covered with black construction paper on the outside, and yes, I can make another hide, only problem with that is, a 10 gallon doesnt have alot of room

temps are checked with 2 thermometers, its my thermostat that doesn't work, but yes, I do check my temps often

[starmom]

That's what you want the snake to perceive: a closed space with very little room for anything but the snake

If you could devise 2 hides that are similar (identical even) until you get the ones from RBI, it would be great!! Remember, little bitty hides....

I asked about monitoring the temps because heat sources running at full throttle can get too hot for the snake

[defuze]

Well, its a 80 degree room at all times. I have a 5 gallon heat pad which normally runs the warm side about 91, and cool 86ish, I turn them off at night, at night he goes behind his water on the cool side, guess thats what he likes. I run the basking light for 3 hours a day, when the light comes on, pad goes off. I actually going to be no longer using the light, since he usually goes to the other side. I have a 10-20 gallon pad ordered, 2 digital thermometers, 2 small hides, and a small water bowl, and a thermostat, should actually be here Monday sometime via FedEx. But after looking at pictures of other bp's ... it seems most snakes skin folds at bends like mine does. I guess I just noticed it. But like I said, he does seem to be a softer than usually, hopefully you guys are right, and he is starting to shed , his last shed date was June 18th btw if anyone was wondering

[starmom]

Yes, the pink belly is an early indicator of a coming shed

Monday will be a very fun day for you!

[defuze]

Any advice on feeding? I fed him Friday, but him in a plastic bin,and he snatched a hopper up within 10 seconds. He did not take to the 2nd one, I gave him 2 because the breeder was feeding him rat fuzzies. Anyway, he didn't eat it, and I have tried 1-2 times a day, since then, and he has struck about 3 times, but never grabbed it. Thinking maybe its his shedding

[starmom]

With my snakes, I always wait until the next feeding time if the snake refuses. So, I feed Thursday night and one of my snakes refused (he;s in deep blue.) So now he gets to wait until next Thursday. It has been my experience that offering day after day (or several times in one day) only stresses out the snake; maybe why yours might be defensively biting the prey. Are you feeding every 5 days since yours is so little? Also, did you also order a gram scale from RBI? They are handy husbandry tools to have around!!