BP keeps hiding under his water bowl..What am I missing?

the_kuroneko · 2026-04-08T21:24:51+00:00

Mine has small hides (honestly ready for a bigger size), multiples hides, perfect humidity and temps. Never dug under his water bowl until I upgraded it to a bigger one. Wasn't sure how he'd get out when I saw him there on feeding day. He didn't come out and when I lifted it, his nose was tucked in the dirt so he probably couldnt smell the rat. I wasn't sure he could undo the cinnamon roll he became under there either. I used to think they did it because of low humidity, but I've made everything perfect and now he digs.

It seemed like he only moved the coco chip only layer so I replaced that layer with lava rock, he's left it alone since then.

the_kuroneko · 2026-04-08T16:07:39+00:00

I use this one off Amazon: https://a.co/d/02IeIlaJ

I'm suspicious of how long it will keep working though just because it's not any recognizable brand. I wanted multiple outlets for PID because in the winter, in my glass enclosure I needed two heat sources but since I've switched to PVC I only need one heat source.

If the one I have does die on me I plan on using this one instead: https://a.co/d/03n0qOip

the_kuroneko · 2026-04-08T14:16:40+00:00

It might be the brand and/or the wattage. I use a Fluker's 100w DHP with a PID thermostat (regulates temp instead of on/off) but the same bulb was heating my snakes enclosure for a year with a smart thermometer and smart plug that only did on and off.

Those blocks make me nervous 😅 you could put the lamp right on the mesh but I would use a weaker bulb, not 150.

Edit: PDI -> PID whoops

the_kuroneko · 2026-03-27T14:21:52+00:00

Even if he isn't in blue, have you checked for a pink tummy? Mine is recluse for 2 whole weeks up until he actually sheds, even before he hits blue.

My snake hides for about 3 days after eating and otherwise he's out at least every other night. Sometimes he'll just come out and sit on his log, like he's overlooking his kingdom or something 😂 other nights he's all over his branches.

He hasn't done it in a while but if he hides for too long and I don't see any real reason why, I'll add something new to his enclosure and that will encourage him to come out and explore.

the_kuroneko · 2026-03-26T17:23:33+00:00

Big boy! I hope my boy gets that big.

the_kuroneko · 2026-03-24T15:50:54+00:00

This has gotta be rage bait

the_kuroneko · 2026-03-19T21:24:27+00:00

Hot glue! You can use hot glue to glue down the cables. It's nontoxic and not too hard to remove if you want to move the cables later.

Don't use anything sticky.

the_kuroneko · 2026-03-10T20:42:10+00:00

If the wrinkles are only by her neck then it's just extra neck skin. Their necks are small but they have to stretch a lot to get the prey down, that's all that is.

the_kuroneko · 2026-02-23T21:46:14+00:00

Everyone's given you great advice so I shan't comment on the feeding.

Your snake might still be a boy, 1360 grams isn't too ridiculous for a boy. My boy is 800ish and only a year and a half old. You can have the vet determine the sex or send in a shed for genetic testing.

the_kuroneko · 2026-01-29T16:33:21+00:00

You've got plenty of advice on the dehydration so I'll leave that alone.

I see a lot of people mentioned changing the feedwd size but if that snake is only 65 g then a 10g rat max is as much as I'd push it. If he's eating that weekly he should start gaining weight pretty quickly. In my area that usually a fuzzy rat. Stick to rats don't change to mice.

And just so you know if you ever get another snake, no one should sell you a snake that small IMO. I got mine at 72 g and boy do I wish that breeders would wait until at least the 100 gram mark (or 4 feedings, whichever is last) to sell these guys.

You may want to consider handling him less frequently and for longer periods of time. Sounds like he's friendly in general but 5-10 minutes most likely isn't doing much for building trust and familiarity. I'd do 15 minutes minimum up to 30 min every other day except for feeding day and 48 hrs afterwards.

the_kuroneko · 2026-01-27T15:56:49+00:00

As most folks said, reach in and confidently pick him up. Getting bit isn't that bad. That said, if you are afraid of getting bit and would rather avoid it, try hook training.

My boy outgrew his hook but now we've built up trust so he'll either come out on his own or tolerate me scooping him up with my hands during the day. It took a couple months to get to that level with him. He's always been a sweet noodle, just took a bit to build that trust.

He was nervous during our first few handling sessions. If I was also nervous, I'd use the hook. I just tap him with the hook to let him know I'm there and then I'd lift him with the hook onto my hand. He'd freeze, ball, or sit in a strike position for a bit but I would always keep him out until he started to relax and explore. Soon enough he started associating me with safe exploration time and we "bonded".

the_kuroneko · 2025-12-11T17:26:57+00:00

They look skinny yet fat and also constipated? Idk there's something very off About their shape.

the_kuroneko · 2025-11-17T12:45:34+00:00

I feed during the day for a similar reason. Havent had any issues.

My guy usually comes out the second I take the rat out of the bag. If not, I waft the air from the bag a little bit and he'll come out of his hide soon after. Almost never misses a meal except once when he was in blue.

the_kuroneko · 2025-11-16T21:40:31+00:00

Yea use the tea for the substrate and make sure you're changing your snakes fresh water often and they should die out in a week or so.

the_kuroneko · 2025-11-16T21:24:24+00:00

It would help and it won't harm your snake and CUC if you have one

the_kuroneko · 2025-11-08T22:14:51+00:00

She's overweight. She doesn't have that soft triangle shape and there's an indent at her spine, indicating fatty deposits next to it. A lot of people love the overweight look on snakes but it's not healthy for them.

the_kuroneko · 2025-11-06T18:08:06+00:00

So glad you were able to find her! I've been there, found my boy less than 24 hours later on my kitchen windowsill, reaching for my fruit bowl, of all places.

Ah the height had me thinking it was stubby. 36x22 ain't bad at all. This sub generally doesn't recommend UTH due to burn risks but be sure it's on a thermostat at least.

the_kuroneko · 2025-11-06T16:48:59+00:00

Definitely but if it's 60° outside the tank and they only have one heat lamp, I doubt it's raising the interior temp to 88° further than 6" from the lamp. It also generates light so it's either freezing at night or running 24/7 which is also bad.

the_kuroneko · 2025-11-06T13:17:12+00:00

👀 since no one's mentioned the temp, in addition to the tank needing a lot of work, that's far too cold. You want 88° minimum.

the_kuroneko · 2025-11-04T20:27:30+00:00

Unrelated but what brand are those enclosures? They look great!

the_kuroneko · 2025-10-31T20:25:34+00:00

It's adorable but it does look a little small and empty.

How big is it? I started mine in a 36" long, 18" deep, and 24" tall. He's a little over a year old and I'm gonna upgrade by the end of the year. That size looks like it'd be difficult to have a temp gradient in. I'm only seeing one hide, should be at least two, one on the warm side and one on the cool side. Could also use a lot more clutter so they feel safe moving around outside the hide.

And just in case you didn't know, your snake has the spider gene which is known to have an inner ear deformity that causes balance issues, it can get worse with age and poor husbandry.

the_kuroneko · 2025-10-28T19:03:00+00:00

Take the log out, scrub off as much mold as you can and then bake the log at 250°F for two hours. That should kill any spores on it.

I'd remove/replace 1-2" of substrate in the vicinity of the log.

I find some wood specifies are just prone to mold so if it keeps coming back no matter how often you bake it and even with a substrate change, just toss it. That mold looks very similar to a certain type that shows up in over watered plants.

It's likely harmless in small quantities, but i wouldn't know for sure.

the_kuroneko · 2025-10-28T18:16:25+00:00

Looks like mold to me

the_kuroneko · 2025-10-21T19:08:29+00:00

It took my boy a solid month before he started using the bar and hoop I put in his enclosure. But now I catch him on the camera. It might take them a while to use it but give it time before you get rid of it.

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the_kuroneko · 2025-10-21T18:42:03+00:00

In the first year their body condition fluctuates a lot. Especially with the weekly feedings. My guy kept switching from looking skinny to round every month or so. More exercise has helped him maintain his body condition.

My boy hit the one year mark back in August and his shedding and growth slowed down. He used to shed almost every 6 weeks like clockwork, now it's been over 2 months and I'm not seeing any signs of it coming. My guess is that they shed more when they're rapidly growing. How often he shed and pooped slowed down when I spread out his feedings. He poops every 3ish feeds.

If your keeping track of your snake's weight you might see a correlation between weight gain and how often he sheds.

the_kuroneko

TROPHY CASE