Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just bought a new Pastel Male and he hasn't ate. He ate three times with the breeder and the breeder kept him in racks. I have him in a tank now so I know he feels exposed. I want to put a hide in the tank, but I need some ideas. I know if I put a hide, then at least if he feels exposed he has somewhere to hide. Any ideas for hides? Thanks!

Pet stores have hides but are usually pretty expensive.

I take a clay pot and break a part of it so that it can be used as a hide, pretty inexpensive..

Anything will really work.....

He is in stress mode without a hide. You can use a small box, ie: tissue, oatmeal, hamburger helper, sizes like that, they like to have most of their sides touching something. Helps make them feel more secure. Put at least 2 in the tank. I have 3 hides in my tank, and I also cover the tank with a towel.
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You can go to walmart and buy a 6 QT tub for 3$ --
Even if you have the snake in a 10gallon tank- it will fit.

Put the lid on the tub-- cut a hole in the top of the lid and in the side of the tub-- just a small hole-- the size of a 1/2 dollar--

go to lowes/home depot- and buy a PLASTIC or ceramic dish thing-- that you would put under a clay plant pot- to hold the water. Cut a square out of that-- and put it upside down inside the tub-- get another and use it right-side-up for water- put it in the tub.

Put another 2 dishes in the tank- out of the tub-- one water, one hide.
So you'll need 4 of those plant pot water dish things total.

Put papertowels/newspaper- whatever in the tub and tank. Cover 3 sides of the tank with a towel or black construction paper--

Put the snake in the TUB in the tank. He will likely spend a long time in the tub- but with the option to come out- he will explore...

I did this with a friend who bought a spider ball to display and had similar problems. snake spent a week in teh tub- ate on week 2-- spent another week in the tub- then in week 4- we took him out of the tub and put him in the tank and fed him- he ate.
we left the tub available for him-- and he would go back and forth.
on week 6 we took the tub out completely-- and he's still eating fine now...

worth a shot and good luck-- but you NEED a hide ... or 3..

~Beth
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