Some beginners questions for a Red-Tail Boa - Page 2

AwesomeGuy376 · 02-18-16, 01:44 PM

I should probably explain that I think I tried to feed him wrong.. I see these people on YouTube do it differently and spend time doing it... All I did was dangle it in front of him for about a minute then give up.. I'm starting to think I should tried longer. It's been 5 days since I got him. I only handled him once and he never tried to strike and was curious, but wasn't constricting or anything, just really sweet and friendly. And whevever I put him back in his cage, he actually explored for a bit until he went back into his hide. The only thing I'm worried about is that he's staying in his hide for the entire time. I'm pretty sure he hasn't come out, cause I don't see any trails in the tank. He's only gone out the night I got him cause he was shedding (which also might be why he didn't eat).. Idk I'm just concerned for my snake (I have bad anxiety on everything so ugh). But yeah, just scared of a hunger strike. Update on the cage btw, I got another lamp and the cold side is about 80 and at night it's 75, so I fixed the problem. As for humidity, I spray the cage twice a day and never goes below 60. I'm getting there

. But seriously thanks to all of you, I love these responses so much! And I'm gonna try to feed him on the 1st and see where it goes. As for handling, I've decided to wait till Sunday or Monday to do so. Again thanks guys, I'm still new to this!

dannybgoode · 02-18-16, 01:52 PM

I wouldn't handle him until he's fed. See both bsg's and my responses in this respect.

Leave him well alone-just make sure he has fresh water. Other than that let him be...

AwesomeGuy376 · 02-18-16, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

I wouldn't handle him until he's fed. See both bsg's and my responses in this respect.

Leave him well alone-just make sure he has fresh water. Other than that let him be...

Ok then I'll do that

bigsnakegirl785 · 02-18-16, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwesomeGuy376

I should probably explain that I think I tried to feed him wrong.. I see these people on YouTube do it differently and spend time doing it... All I did was dangle it in front of him for about a minute then give up.. I'm starting to think I should tried longer. It's been 5 days since I got him. I only handled him once and he never tried to strike and was curious, but wasn't constricting or anything, just really sweet and friendly. And whevever I put him back in his cage, he actually explored for a bit until he went back into his hide. The only thing I'm worried about is that he's staying in his hide for the entire time. I'm pretty sure he hasn't come out, cause I don't see any trails in the tank. He's only gone out the night I got him cause he was shedding (which also might be why he didn't eat).. Idk I'm just concerned for my snake (I have bad anxiety on everything so ugh). But yeah, just scared of a hunger strike. Update on the cage btw, I got another lamp and the cold side is about 80 and at night it's 75, so I fixed the problem. As for humidity, I spray the cage twice a day and never goes below 60. I'm getting there

. But seriously thanks to all of you, I love these responses so much! And I'm gonna try to feed him on the 1st and see where it goes. As for handling, I've decided to wait till Sunday or Monday to do so. Again thanks guys, I'm still new to this!

Yeah each boa will eat in it's own way. Both of mine will eat if all I do is dangle it somewhere in their cage, and they'll take it immediately, but sometimes I have to make some vibrations to get their attention, and not every snake will eat immediately.

If you want your humidity to rise, misting is not the way to do it, it's a temporary fix to a long term problem and provides wetness rather than humidity. I would suggest you try what I advised earlier in the thread. If that tank is what I think it is (I've got my albino checkered in one), it's got a lot of air flow, and that is going to work against you.

Have you reduced any of the air flow yet? That's going to be the best thing that will help you if you choose to stay with the tank, plus the video I shared. I honestly suggest saving up and buying a PVC cage. You can get a T11 (48"x24"x18") for a base price of $330 or a T12 (48"x24"x24") for a base price of $339 from Animal Plastics, I personally wouldn't suggest one under 18" in height. PVC cages is another good website, and is cheaper than AP but doesn't seem to go above a 4'x2'x2', but that should be plenty for your boa. A PVC cage will keep in heat without you having to use 3 heat lamps (hopefully), and will keep in humidity much much much easier. The main thing that keeps people away are price and waiting times, which can be anywhere from one month to 8+ months. I got my 2 T12's after about 3 months.

AwesomeGuy376 · 02-18-16, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

Yeah each boa will eat in it's own way. Both of mine will eat if all I do is dangle it somewhere in their cage, and they'll take it immediately, but sometimes I have to make some vibrations to get their attention, and not every snake will eat immediately.

If you want your humidity to rise, misting is not the way to do it, it's a temporary fix to a long term problem and provides wetness rather than humidity. I would suggest you try what I advised earlier in the thread. If that tank is what I think it is (I've got my albino checkered in one), it's got a lot of air flow, and that is going to work against you.

Have you reduced any of the air flow yet? That's going to be the best thing that will help you if you choose to stay with the tank, plus the video I shared. I honestly suggest saving up and buying a PVC cage. You can get a T11 (48"x24"x18") for a base price of $330 or a T12 (48"x24"x24") for a base price of $339 from Animal Plastics, I personally wouldn't suggest one under 18" in height. PVC cages is another good website, and is cheaper than AP but doesn't seem to go above a 4'x2'x2', but that should be plenty for your boa. A PVC cage will keep in heat without you having to use 3 heat lamps (hopefully), and will keep in humidity much much much easier. The main thing that keeps people away are price and waiting times, which can be anywhere from one month to 8+ months. I got my 2 T12's after about 3 months.

I've managed to restrict airflow using a wet towel and so far it's been holding up relatively well. I've been thinking about buying a humidifier cause I really don't want to have to buy a new cage.. The only problem is I heard that they break a lot.. But the humidity hasn't dropped past 60 since I've done my modifications, the misting is a bit annoying but I don't mind. I just really am kinda broke in the bank after the whole purchase soo yeah, can't really afford a new tank :P I've also done that bedding thing you showed in your video and it seems to help as well.

dannybgoode · 02-19-16, 12:22 AM

60% humidity is fine imo. Bsg and I have differing opinions about humidity for BCI's. 80% is up at the levels required for Brazilian Rainbow Boas and the like and there is a danger of you get it too high you're into the realms of potential RI's and the like.

Get the substrate too wet all the time and you've got problemsc and it's a tightrope that is not necessary to walk.

Out course this is the internet so you're going to get different opinions but my girl is doing just fine at 50-60% and I've not seen a care sheet yet for common boa that suggest 80% ( the highest I've seen it's 60-70%, the lowest 40-50%. I aim for low to mid 50's). Perfect sheds, eats and poos as she should and looks stunning. Recent photo below.

Bsg-do you have any links to care sheets or other resources that suggest 70-80% as I'd be interested to see what else they suggest that I could consider doing differently.

dannybgoode · 02-19-16, 12:27 AM

Oh, and where are you measuring the humidity? Humidity tends to be higher and ground level where the snake usually is and drops quite quickly even within the confines of a Viv.

I have a probe at substrate level and this reads a good 5-10% higher than the hygrometer I had mid way up the back wall of the Viv.

AwesomeGuy376 · 02-19-16, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

Oh, and where are you measuring the humidity? Humidity tends to be higher and ground level where the snake usually is and drops quite quickly even within the confines of a Viv.

I have a probe at substrate level and this reads a good 5-10% higher than the hygrometer I had mid way up the back wall of the Viv.

I have the probe half way up the tank dead center. The humidity only gets that high when I first spray, and tends to stick around 70 once settled down. But now I'm scared of an RI XD. My main concern is that he hasn't come out of his hide at all, I don't know if it's normal, but last night I put a camera facing the tank and he never came out, only moved within the hide. Ugh this is stressful :P is an ambient temp of 82 too high? And are red lights too bright for night time?

dannybgoode · 02-19-16, 08:41 AM

Whilst it's understandable that you're concerned I think just leaving him well alone is the best thing to do for now.

Your numbers are fine, I'd actually try and get the warm end up a bit higher 86 or so and a hot spot around 90-92.

Yes, it's perfectly normal for them to stay hidden. A) they're nocturnal anyway and quite often hide during the day and b) he's still nervous of his new surroundings. Mine sometimes still keeps out of site for a day or more.

I'd ditch the bulb and get a ceramic heat emitter. These look like light bulbs but give out pure heat. Will keep the temps up easier and no danger of disturbing the snake at night.

AwesomeGuy376 · 02-19-16, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

Whilst it's understandable that you're concerned I think just leaving him well alone is the best thing to do for now.

Your numbers are fine, I'd actually try and get the warm end up a bit higher 86 or so and a hot spot around 90-92.

Yes, it's perfectly normal for them to stay hidden. A) they're nocturnal anyway and quite often hide during the day and b) he's still nervous of his new surroundings. Mine sometimes still keeps out of site for a day or more.

I'd ditch the bulb and get a ceramic heat emitter. These look like light bulbs but give out pure heat. Will keep the temps up easier and no danger of disturbing the snake at night.

The cool end is roughly 83 during the day, but i really can't afford any new equipment right now

. I kinda have to make due with what I have, the previous owner used this, and I guess he was fine. Last night I actually saw him looking out of his cage, but I walked by not knowing and he went right back in (which I assumed scared him for the rest of the night). Here's my next problem, my dad worked at a pet shop when he was 16 and is giving me endless crap about how I'm "overdoing it"... He said that humidity doesn't matter and that the snake is "too warm" and that's why he won't come out.. He's also saying I should handle the snake every day (which I'm positive is a horrible idea).. If someone can post telling why all this is wrong so I can show him it'd be great.. But I tried explaining how humidity is essential for a good shed, and explained how he shouldn't be handled for a couple weeks till he's settled.. Anyways, back on topic, like I said, I actually saw him peak his head out a bit last night, so some progress

and I've left him alone for a couple days, and will continue to do so, so no worries there

dannybgoode · 02-19-16, 09:11 AM

Humidity is important but imo people over think it and worry about it far too much. Some species it is critical but bci's are not one.

What temp is your warm end then? Your cool end is too warm really and the snake won't be able to thermoregulate properly. They need to be able to choose a temperature according to whether they're digesting food etc. If it can't do this it's a problem hence my early comment about the Viv being on the small side.

You do have a thermostat don't you? Apologies can't remember the exact details of your setup.

Handling every day is unnecessary and will stress the snake. As previously advised you shouldn't be handling at all at the moment. You wood honestly do the snake no harm if you were to never handle it but most people like some interaction with their pets.

Follow the advice given on here and not your dad's!

AwesomeGuy376 · 02-19-16, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

Humidity is important but imo people over think it and worry about it far too much. Some species it is critical but bci's are not one.

What temp is your warm end then? Your cool end is too warm really and the snake won't be able to thermoregulate properly. They need to be able to choose a temperature according to whether they're digesting food etc. If it can't do this it's a problem hence my early comment about the Viv being on the small side.

You do have a thermostat don't you? Apologies can't remember the exact details of your setup.

Handling every day is unnecessary and will stress the snake. As previously advised you shouldn't be handling at all at the moment. You wood honestly do the snake no harm if you were to never handle it but most people like some interaction with their pets.

Follow the advice given on here and not your dad's!

It's not the "cool end" really, the probe is kinda places dead center of the tank. It's stuck on the glass half way up in the middle, between the heat lamps. Is this temperature life threatening? Stressing out ;-;

AwesomeGuy376 · 02-19-16, 09:19 AM

By the way, I have 2 more small thermometers on the way to put one in the really hot end and one in the cool end. Right now the probe is kinda in the middle

dannybgoode · 02-19-16, 09:26 AM

Do you have a thermostat not a thermometer to control the temperature of the heat bulbs?

Do you know what the temperature at the hot end is and the cold end?

AwesomeGuy376 · 02-19-16, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

Do you have a thermostat not a thermometer to control the temperature of the heat bulbs?

Do you know what the temperature at the hot end is and the cold end?

No I don't, and I don't know the exact temps though I would gues cold is about 80 while hot is somewhere in the 90s