Updated tank! Thanks to all who helped! +feeding question

Poisonpuss · 08-16-12, 07:59 PM

Thank you too all that helped to get my tank where it needs to be. Here are some pics of my updated tank. I had problems with humidity and temp regulation. On the last few pics, I have a basking light on for the pictures. Night time heat lamp is always on. CHE and UTH are on thermostat. I fed him today and he didn't take it right away. I can't get him to eat outside his tank, he gets a little skittish and he ignores it and tries to climb my arm. He didn't even take it right away this time in his tank, I had to make a cut on the mice to get him to take it. He eats it in the branch though, never touches the ground. I would like to eventually get him to eat outside his tank.

Left side hide temp (no UTH)

Right side hide with UTH on a thermostat

This is the basking spot temp, using a CHE to heat. I put 3 towels on the sides with a couple on top to cover the open areas, and wet those down every other day.

Here he is day of his shed.

Here is his 2nd shed since I've had him. So happy, complete with no tears.

Gungirl · 08-17-12, 04:32 AM

You say you can't get him to eat outside of his tank.. Feed him IN the tank. There is no reason what so ever to take him out of his tank to feed him.

Terranaut · 08-17-12, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

You say you can't get him to eat outside of his tank.. Feed him IN the tank. There is no reason what so ever to take him out of his tank to feed him.

Yup I totally agree!!

Wildside · 08-17-12, 09:44 AM

Definitely! Outside tank time is for handling, etc. Not feeding.

Poisonpuss · 08-17-12, 06:42 PM

I've heard that if you feed him inside, he is more likely to bite you because he thinks it's food when you reach into the cage. Also they say to get a separate feeding tank.

Ivalynfyre · 08-17-12, 06:49 PM

That's pretty much a myth... I've never had any problems feeding in cage, my only 'cage aggressive' animal is my leachie. Anyways, wouldn't they associate getting taken out with getting fed with that logic?

Terranaut · 08-17-12, 06:56 PM

So hook train them so they know the difference. It's a myth. Like snakes having no memory

Lankyrob · 08-18-12, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poisonpuss

I've heard that if you feed him inside, he is more likely to bite you because he thinks it's food when you reach into the cage. Also they say to get a separate feeding tank.

By the same logic by feeding outside of the cage everytime you take them out they will bite cos they expect food

I feed all mine in their vivs as moving/handling snakes that have just eaten and are in "feed mode" is dangerous

AM2244 · 08-18-12, 12:09 PM

quick question...
i thought if you had bedding in the tank and you feed them in the tank that they could get some in their mouth..which could lead to impacting of the bedding in the digestive track?

Amy and Mike

Ivalynfyre · 08-18-12, 12:49 PM

A little bit of bedding isn't going to cause an impaction... They can't eat their food spotless in the wild, can they?

Wildside · 08-18-12, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AM2244

quick question...
i thought if you had bedding in the tank and you feed them in the tank that they could get some in their mouth..which could lead to impacting of the bedding in the digestive track?

Amy and Mike

This is old school thinking for lizards that were being kept on things like calci-sand. Also, if you take the snake out of the tank and feed it, then you're gonna have to reach in and grab it to return it to the tank, while still in feed mode. I've seen them take quite a while to come out of feed mode. Especially boas that are trying to grow. My albino is doing her 2.5 year growth spurt right now and she thinks everything is food

Lankyrob · 08-18-12, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AM2244

quick question...
i thought if you had bedding in the tank and you feed them in the tank that they could get some in their mouth..which could lead to impacting of the bedding in the digestive track?

Amy and Mike

It is a slim possibility but so far with feeding 7 snakes have had no issues (used to use plates to protect them but dont bother anymore as retic associated plate with food and would go mental!!)

I use reptibark which is pretty large pieces and feed my prey items dry and nothing seems to stick to them

AM2244 · 08-18-12, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

It is a slim possibility but so far with feeding 7 snakes have had no issues (used to use plates to protect them but dont bother anymore as retic associated plate with food and would go mental!!)

I use reptibark which is pretty large pieces and feed my prey items dry and nothing seems to stick to them

Thanks for insight! Any pics of the retic? Thinking of trying to get our license to own one...is it worth it?

Also a quick question on feeding. How would you go about switching a snake that will not eat f/t to eat f/t? We have tried pre killed and warming up frozen really well. He will not take it at all. It's a BCI boa, about 1 and half years old.

Thanks, Amy and Mike (=

iBaman · 08-18-12, 08:31 PM

Retics are definitely worth it!!! Super smart, fun to hold (when they're smaller, anyways), and GREAT to look at. Even my boyfriend, who isn't a fan of snakes at all, shows pajamas off to his friends whenever he gets the chance =3

Lankyrob · 08-19-12, 10:58 AM

My retic is a super dwarf - http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/giant...ofile-doc.html - and yes he is highly intelligent and fantastic to handle.

In terms of switching, make the decision and DO NOT go back to feeding live. Offer f/t every 7 days until the snake takes it - once it gets hungry enough it will eat it