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I have a Columbian Red Tail that is EXTREMELY shy. He lives in a beautiful 75 gallon tank with nice Repti-Bark substrate, a couple branches to climb on and a rock hide. The problem is, he won't come out of the rock hide... ever. If I want to feed him, I have to either dangle a rat in front of the opening or remove the rock den.

SO here are my questions...

Is there any way to break him of this? He's about 3 years old.

If there isn't any way to get him to be more active, is that healthy?

If it's ok that he's not active and it's ok that he's shy, can I remove him from the tank and keep him in something smaller? I'd like to get another snake but don't have room for another enclosure.

(By something smaller, I mean something that is the same size as the rock den he won't come out of. Like a rubbermaid bin.)

I feel like there's no reason to keep him in something so huge if he won't use it.
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George
1.0.0. Albino Burmese Python (Tyranus)
1.0.0. Columbian Red Tail Boa (Madmartigan)

In general boas do like to sit for extended periods. Very much so if they are well fed. Are you sure he does not come out and cruise around when you are sleeping? They are mostly nucturnal. Check your temps, maybe it's just sooooo comfy in the hide. Ambient temps in the low 80's? Where is his hot spot? Under the hide? Should be low 90's.

Even if he dose not move around much, limiting him to a much smaller enclosure IMO would be wrong. Basic rule of thumb is one square foot of floor per foot of snake. So your typical 8 foot boa does just fine in a 2'X 4' enclosure.

>>I have a Columbian Red Tail that is EXTREMELY shy. He lives in a beautiful 75 gallon tank with nice Repti-Bark substrate, a couple branches to climb on and a rock hide. The problem is, he won't come out of the rock hide... ever. If I want to feed him, I have to either dangle a rat in front of the opening or remove the rock den.
>>
>>SO here are my questions...
>>
>>Is there any way to break him of this? He's about 3 years old.
>>
>>If there isn't any way to get him to be more active, is that healthy?
>>
>>If it's ok that he's not active and it's ok that he's shy, can I remove him from the tank and keep him in something smaller? I'd like to get another snake but don't have room for another enclosure.
>>
>>(By something smaller, I mean something that is the same size as the rock den he won't come out of. Like a rubbermaid bin.)
>>
>>I feel like there's no reason to keep him in something so huge if he won't use it.
>>-----
>>George
>>1.0.0. Albino Burmese Python (Tyranus)
>>1.0.0. Columbian Red Tail Boa (Madmartigan)
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB, selectively bred from good stock)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
13.26 BRB
11.16 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Sounds like he doesn't want to come out when YOu want him to. I bet he does his share of exploring when it gets dark. I don't really know what to tell you, maybe try checking on him later in teh day, say before you go to bed. I don't think you should move him to a smaller enclosure. Have you considered getting another boa of similar size and keeping them together?
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1.0 Spotted Python
1.0 IJ Carpet Python
0.1.1 Ball Pythons
0.1 Macklot's Python
1.0 Variable Kingsnake