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My/first/Snake · 06-29-11, 08:35 PM

Sorry, my second post never made it, the pic was two big...but I do have an under the heater on there, still is way to cold at night. gonna try the plastic though.

stephanbakir · 06-29-11, 08:40 PM

adding plastic to the top and sealing it more will keep allot more heat in.

My/first/Snake · 06-29-11, 08:44 PM

Mr fuzzy is still alive, I do try feeding in another container, but not heated or anything like that.

stephanbakir · 06-29-11, 08:46 PM

Try in the snakes terrarium but watch him closely, snakes can get hurt BAD by rodents...
Never leave a live prey item of ANY kind alone with your snake.

Once you get him eating, switch him over to frozen/thawed asap.

marionsclan · 06-29-11, 11:08 PM

I have a heat bulb of 100W in my tank that is red which snakes can't see and I leave that on 24/7 to keep the temp at the warm side constant. I also have a uth to keep the bottom heated.

I do have a screen top but I put Coroplast over it which has been helping a lot to keep the humidity steady.

Try investing in a deflector shield for your light bulb so that all heat is directly into your tank.

My/first/Snake · 07-01-11, 05:45 AM

Progress report: Well it seems that through ALL your advice, tips, and tricks, we are up to a balmy 90% in our snake condo. I ended up using aluminum foil on the top, cut away for the light fixtures. One basking light for day, replaced with red basking light for night. Still have the UTH in there to one side also. Spraying in there a couple of times a day to give moisture, and there we have it. Now if I could just get him to eat a little something (or someone

) Kidding! Thanks again everyone! AL

stephanbakir · 07-01-11, 05:47 AM

Glad to hear you have things more or less under control

Keep in mind that with what you added, heat will stay in the terrarium more readily, and without a thermostat you may just end up with a roasted snake.

My/first/Snake · 07-01-11, 03:17 PM

Sound advice, thermostat has been pretty steady at 90 degrees Fahrenheit so I think I am all set. 94 was the highest is gotten so far. I also add a bigger swimming pool to give him something to soak in. So I have had him for a solid week now, I was told that tueday is normal feeding day for him/her. I have not yet gotten it to eat, how often should I try? Once a week maybe? Love some good advice on this issue. Thanks again, AL

stephanbakir · 07-01-11, 03:19 PM

Once a week. and even though Tuesday is the food day his breeder had him at, if you have another preferred day, thats fine, switch it... Once switched attempt to keep it stable at that day though.

My/first/Snake · 07-01-11, 03:22 PM

Pretty sure it must be a hatchling based on size, and I have know Idea its its ever eaten. Seems healthy from all points, no signs of anything being wrong, doesn't appear to be getting ready to shed or anything like that. I'll shut up now and see what you guys think.

My/first/Snake · 07-01-11, 03:23 PM

For such a young snake, how long before I should be concerned?

stephanbakir · 07-01-11, 03:28 PM

Time isn't the biggest worry because they can go a long time, the reason should be your concern. There is a reason he isnt eating. Could be sick, stressed, not hungry or picky, try and find out which it is.
Unless he looks emaciated you are fine.

NennaMeerkat · 07-01-11, 03:30 PM

Snakes can go months without eating.

Here is my advice. Considering how much changing variables in heat and how much you have messed with his tank I would suggest (after the temps are where you want them) leaving him 100% alone. Refill the water bowl and just leave him alone. After a week feed the live fuzzy inside the tank. Keep in mind live prey has the ability to kill a snake, especially an inexperienced one who might not be used to handling live prey.

Also keep in mind Balls are nocturnal so if you are leaving lamps on 100% of the time you are liable to confuse the snake and stress it out...thus not eating. Feed the snake after the lights are out and the room is dark. Get a red spectrum light (basically a red lightbulb) for night when you are feeding it. Snakes can't see the red light and this means no stress while you can see what is going on.

My/first/Snake · 07-01-11, 03:36 PM

OK that's what I will do, I have started using the red basking light at night to keep the night time temp up, so I am already there. Now I will leave him set. Thanks again. AL

NennaMeerkat · 07-01-11, 03:37 PM

Good luck! I got a picky hognose snake that went off feed for 2 months (nearly) because she didn't like where she was in the house and she didn't enjoy being fed outside her tank. You sorta have to find what works for the snake and go from there.

Keep us updated!!