Reptile & Amphibian Forums

if anyone is able to help me out, I would really appreciate it.

1. I am using a Vision cage and I am having a hard time keeping the temps up to where they need to be. The hot side is about 87 and the cool side is 83. I have a heat pad under the cage, as my cage does not have a place for a heat lamp. Any tips?

2. She is about 4 months old now and has been eating 1 hopper mouse per week. She is almost to the point of needing 2 per week. My question is...should I give her 1 right after the other, or give her the second a few days later?

3. And finally, I was told not to handle her until she has had a few feedings, which will give her time to adjust. I did handle her frequently when I first brought her home, but not at all i nthe last several weeks. Now, she freaks out when I try to hold her. Does she need more time to adjust? I also think that part of the problem may be because of the type of cage she is in. I am not able to reach down and pick her up from behind. I have to stick my arm in there and then it's just my habd coming at her face.

Sorry this is long, I just wanted to give all info I can think of in order not cause anyone confusion.

Thank you in advance!
Malea

At four months old she should easily be able to take an adult mouse or two. They can take hoppers as their very first meal. Start going with adult mice and if she can do one, do that for a while and then up it to two or switch over to rats.

I dont use Vision cages so I cant comment on that, but Feeding wise at four months old I'm sure she can take larger prey try a Wean Rat or two adult mice. I feed all my snakes in their tubs, and I really dont handle them too much unless I need to. If your rack is too high get a little ladder, that's what I do I have racks that stand 11' so I need a little lift to get to the top tubs.

>>1. I am using a Vision cage and I am having a hard time keeping the temps up to where they need to be. The hot side is about 87 and the cool side is 83. I have a heat pad under the cage, as my cage does not have a place for a heat lamp. Any tips?

You don't mention the cage size or if your temps are ambient or localized. If the hot side is 87 ambient (around 90 hot spot), you should be fine.

>>
>>2. She is about 4 months old now and has been eating 1 hopper mouse per week. She is almost to the point of needing 2 per week. My question is...should I give her 1 right after the other, or give her the second a few days later?

One after the other is fine or switch to rat pups or adult mice.

>>
>>3. And finally, I was told not to handle her until she has had

Let her settle in and try not to hold her too often in the beginning.

Learn and enjoy!
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

You need to make sure that when you are using an under the tank heat source that you take the temp of the substrate itself and not the air above it. If your temps are still to low then you simply need a larger heat source.

Your feeding schedule sounds fine to me, at 4 months your snake could probably take a bigger food item but it is really up to the snake. I have bp's that are big mature adults that will refuse anything but a rat pup.

You did good not disturbing the snake for a few weeks after getting it. If the snake is just flinching, hiding its head, or curling up into a ball when you pick it up that is 0 normal.

Hope this helps

Thank you so much for your help!

Malea