Hiding Under the Substrate

[Weazel]

Recently (about 2 1/2 weeks ago) I got a new enclosure for my red tail. It is a nice sized, 4' x 2' x 2' glass aquarium type, with a half glass, half screen top.

She has a nice sized water dish that I change every other day or as needed, her hide box is about twice her size.
On the bottom of the cage, I'm using wood chips, (it's more visually appeasing so I thought I'd try it) and I haven't had any problems. Her first cage was the same setup, just smaller and it was perfect, she just out grew it, like I knew she would.

Now with the new cage, she wont use her hide box and she hides under the wood chips.

The temps and humidity are all good, (I'm paranoid about it) so I don't think it's cause she is cold, and like I said the only change is in tank size. Before she used the hide box fine.

Not that it's a huge issue, but I just want to make sure she is happy.

Thanks in advance,

~Chris

[eViL_KaRoT]

Re:Hiding Under the Substrate

I don't think you have anything to worry about. I have a boa that use to love to hide under the newspaper instead of the hide. After awhile he started going into the hide. Your's just happens to feels safer under the woodchips than in the hide right now.

[ClayEnglish]

Re:Hiding Under the Substrate

Boas will hide under the wood or glass if they could get under there.. hehe

[sclark]

Re:Hiding Under the Substrate

Hello Weasel,

Yeah boas will get into or under anything they can.. One thing, is the boas hidea too big for the baby. They like to feel the sides up against them.. Makes them feel secure..

Steve

[Weazel]

Re:Hiding Under the Substrate

Thanks for the input guys, think I'll try a smaller hide... That might be it...

Glad there is nothing to worry about

[sclark]

Re:Hiding Under the Substrate

Weazel,

Keep us posted to how things work out..

Good luck
Steve

[Gun Lover]

Re:Hiding Under the Substrate

dont forget that you just put her in a new home..she come out and use the hide when she feels secure...hope all is well

[Weazel]

Re:Hiding Under the Substrate

Took her out on Sat, and when I managed to put her back, (she hates being put back, she likes hanging out with me hehe) she wandered around a little, and actually used her hide box and was there all night, and most of the next morning...

Sunday afternoon I went to take her out for a little bit and she was hiding again... Ah well... cant win them all... and she seems happy enuf...

hehe

[sclark]

Re:Hiding Under the Substrate

Hey Weazel,

She knows its there.. just give her time.. I have this one baby that used to sleep on the climb branch for days.. As of late she has been either in his hide or burried under the bedding.. They do what they want to do..LOL

Steve

[___LEE___]

Re:Hiding Under the Substrate

Isn't that the truth BABY my 3-4'er has been in her water bowl constantly for the past two days she hasn't even got out to hide and sleep she just sleeps in her water bowl the past 48 hours lol she is still alive i reach in and check her everyday hell i touch all my snakes everyday to see and make sure they are all right.lol just a caring dad i guess i am the same way with my two boys when they are home lol

LEE

[Gun Lover]

Re:Hiding Under the Substrate

i hear ya on that 1 lee...they gonna do and sleep where they want to...and ooh yea no 1 would want to be put back i na cage...like sending a kid to his room

[Doug]

Re:Hiding Under the Substrate

Hi,
One thing to worry about with thick substrate is the heat getting thru and how hot is the glass under the substrate if your using a UTH, I would think about visiting that Big apple herp and order one of those nice over head heat pads and tie it and the uth into the same thermostat and see if someone comes out in the open for that wonderful warm sunshine heat coming thru the screen. I taped the over head pad to a piece of wall insulation silve side down and this helped the humidity in the tank and prevented them huge temp gradients. that wonderful duck tape then throw a towel over the mess and it looks pretty custom holds heat and humidty and the snakes get air, dont cover the entire top with insulation I usally go for around 70% and the remainder only has towel thsi really holds that humidity .
worked great for me.

they use very little electricity and are very slwo to warm up so you don't fry the animal the way some che's can.
http://www.bigappleherp.com/Reptile_...ls_118100.html
while your at it get a thermostat to control them both

this thermostat control two che's and a uth with a 3 prong extension and is well in the wattage limits of the unit and they all cycle together as needed to prevent overheating if the unit fails ,, it fails in the off postion


you can see that silver side insulation I buy at lowes to hold heat over under and behind all my cages makes them like an ice chest except it holds heat and saves you money on that electric bill..
doug ;D

ps here's the temp gradients in cage with the door open check out the temp at the floor sensor over a uth thats under the floor thsi occured almost inmins after the heat came on I have the thermostat set to 82 1 inch from the floor with out a thermostat I ve seen it reach 160 deg in one hour and thats a cobra mat thats only suposed to reach 100. and cycle off..
.