curious about home coming experiences

jwsporty · 03-13-03, 09:23 PM

Hey Folks,

I was curious to hear from other BP owners what their experiences were like when they first brought them home. What procedures did you use to acclimate the BP into your environment.
Feeding schedules, size of food item, handling, etc...

In the first couple of weeks, I have been very closely watching the temperature and humidity conditions. 75-95 deg. 45-50% Hum. , No flourescent lighting (daylight defused, not directly on the tanks) Red spectrum light placed directly above water dish for evaporation, and basking. Light comes on at 7 PM and goes off at 5 AM. Both are housed in separate 20 gal tanks on a mixed substrate of newspaper(black ink) and rep carpet in the hide zone, hides on the hot zone right now. Both are active at night normally from 8-9 for about 1/2 and hour and a hide on the cool zone doesn't appear necessary. There is lots of climbing foliage and structure and they use it.

First feeding attempt was a couple of pinkies after day 2 and only one was taken, first successful feeding was a full size mouse each. I plan on going to a 4-5 cycle or, should I stick to the weekly cycle and pump the quantities to two per feeding.. I am currently feeding in the tank and plan on tub feeding on the fifth feeding cycle.

I have avoided handling with the exception of the move from the original 33 gal to the pair of 20 gal tanks.

Your input regarding the current situation and my stragedy is appreciated. Right now I am treating them with kit gloves.

Thanks again
Jim

reptilez · 03-13-03, 09:30 PM

I think your doin everything right,

With mine the lights turn on at 8am and turn off at 8pm. humidity is around 60%and the hot side is 95F with the cool side at 80-85F. my substrate is Cypress Mulch and have climbing material. water is on cool side with a hide box on cool side and hot.

(feel free to tell me if i should change anything; mine is 7 months old and 3.5 feet long. she is eating frozen fuzzie rats i think, not to sure, there small but not baby small)

Edwin · 03-13-03, 10:03 PM

Ya, everything sounds good.

I had a ball, and temps were kept at 88F to 78F, with a 93F hot spot. Humidity is around 60-70%, and is increased to high 80s when he is in shed. Lighting is on from 7am to 7pm, and decreased to 10 hours during winter.

I like putting the water dish on the cool side, as warm water is a breeding ground for parasites. I follow a weekly feeding schedule, mainly for convenience, and he is fed 1 or 2 f/t mice or rats, depending on their size.

Dendav · 03-14-03, 09:22 AM

Hiya
I got my Royal, Prada first, set her up in a lovely tank, deer antler for climbing slate hide, bark hide, hanging Ivy plant, it was the biz, oh I loved it. (It was heated by heatmat and thermostat, low watt red bulb) But unfortunatley Prada hated it, didnt eat well at all
Spoke to a big breeder of Royals and he advised to get her in a small box with hide and water only. I use kitchen roll for the bottom. Its heated by a heatmat regulated by a thermostat. And guess what after 4 days in there she ate twice in a week, and has continued regular too. Had only eaten twice in 6 wks before, whilst in the tank. My new guy Armani is also in a box and he has never refused a meal, ate 5 days after being shipped to me.
I will move them both in together when they get bigger and the tank wont seem so big to them then. Probably late Summer.
Id go for the heatmat and thermostat, I keep mine at 92/95 at the hot end
They are on fed every Wed and Sunday. Prada is 6mths and Armani is 10mths.
Denise
PS Got new pics of my guys on my snake page on my website

reptilez · 03-14-03, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jwsporty
Red spectrum light placed directly above water dish for evaporation, and basking

Like Edwin Said,

Quote:

Originally posted by Edwin
as warm water is a breeding ground for parasites.

You should put ur water on the cool side of the tank, so they can cool off when really hot.

SnowFoxx · 03-14-03, 04:17 PM

I agree about moving the water dish. I think your feeding schedule is right on, as most people seem to recommend overfeeding (I go look at the BP pics some big-time breeders put up on that other website, and their BPs are absolutely OBESE!!)

I would definitely put a hide on the cool side, though, even if you think it wouldn't be used. At some point they're going to want one to cool down in, but will end up staying on the hot side and maybe getting overheated. It shouldn't be too much trouble to give them each one more hide, so please do so, your snakes will thank you!

- Victoria :w

Markus Jayne · 03-14-03, 09:15 PM

It's nice to see how much care you all take in keeping your snakes. They are precious beautiful animals that will reward you in many ways by becoming very devoted and loving pets.

You are doing everything right....because you care.

Good for you!

MJ

Dendav · 03-15-03, 12:30 AM

Hi Diane;-))
The hide in their boxes cover both warm and cool side, its a long cork bark hide they both have. They can lie at either end they wish or half and half even LOL LOL. Iv found tho that Prada tends to lie on top of hers to cool down (or maybe shes just wandering) at night. Where as Armani never does that, he just pokes out his head from time to time from where ever theres a wee space.
Denise;-)

jwsporty · 03-15-03, 06:04 AM

Thanks people, I have made the changes...

reptilez · 03-15-03, 09:59 AM

Good Luck!

Snake_Hunter · 03-21-03, 08:34 AM

Quote:

) Red spectrum light placed directly above water dish for evaporation

If you wanted the water for evaperation then perhaps you could try puting a shallow water dish under the light that way they it's not big enough for them to bath in and it's not one of those things thats going to be in the way either. Just an idea i've never tryed it but it wouldn't hurt anyways hopw that helps.

Andrew

:groove: