Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My snake quit eating when the temps dropped. I wasn't prepared for this as this is the first winter where I've had to pay the heating bill. Likewise this house was not kept as warm as the other. I believe this is why my snake quit eating and now he simply won't eat. Is there a way to shake this? I bought a RHP from pro-products but it is to small. His cage gets to 87 on a warm day. I'm going to upgrade the size and boost the temps. I also removed the tub. In temporarily closing off tyher opening I screwed a piece of plywood over the hole until I have time to renovate the cage. The bare wood is eating up the humidity down to 50%. Could fixing these 2 items possibly bring him back to the dining table?
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

1.0.0 Burm, Moses
0.0.2 Ball, Chico & Chewy (rescue, many scars)
0.2.0 Cats, Merideth & Hannah
1.0.0 Black Chow, Pivo RIP Oct 23
1.0.0 Blue Chow Puppy, pick up 18 Dec
1.4.0 Rats
0.2.0 Humans (a little obnoxious though)

If your temps are 87 that is almost idea but it could be just a little bit warmer under the basking area (90-92); but is that 87 the ambient air or the surface temps; that makes a huge difference. And, is there a thermal gradient where you have both warm and cooler areas in the cage. I use Pro Product Radiant heat panels almost exclusively and have never had a problem in providing the proper temperatures. As far as humidity goes, I would find a way to try to keep levels at least 60% (higher is ideal but periodic heavy mistings will help).

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

Once I correct these, what are the chances he'll start eating again? He was growing nicely and I don't want to jeopardize that.
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

1.0.0 Burm, Moses
0.0.2 Ball, Chico & Chewy (rescue, many scars)
0.2.0 Cats, Merideth & Hannah
1.0.0 Black Chow, Pivo RIP Oct 23
1.0.0 Blue Chow Puppy, pick up 18 Dec
1.4.0 Rats
0.2.0 Humans (a little obnoxious though)

If the environment is appropriate, and, assuming the snake isn't being hormonal (breeding season), h/she'll start feeding when its ready.

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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

1.0.0 Burm, Moses
0.0.2 Ball, Chico & Chewy (rescue, many scars)
0.2.0 Cats, Merideth & Hannah
1.0.0 Black Chow, Pivo RIP Oct 23
1.0.0 Blue Chow Puppy, pick up 18 Dec
1.4.0 Rats
0.2.0 Humans (a little obnoxious though)

I guess the 87 would be ambient as the sensor is mounted against the wall maybe 3 inches from the floor and not directly under the most concentrated hot spot. I still don't like the size of my RHP as it's on most of the time. I'll contact Bob when their office opens again to swap out for a larger one. He sent me a 24 X 15 for roughly 270 gallons of space. It works but doesn't shut off very much and I would like to have some room to play with for the temps.
-----
DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

1.0.0 Burm, Moses
0.0.2 Ball, Chico & Chewy (rescue, many scars)
0.2.0 Cats, Merideth & Hannah
1.0.0 Black Chow, Pivo RIP Oct 23
1.0.0 Blue Chow Puppy, pick up 18 Dec
1.4.0 Rats
0.2.0 Humans (a little obnoxious though)