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View Full Version : Questioning new behavior [pictures inside]

NJHerp
11-24-15, 05:12 AM
Hey guys,

I've had my lipstick sunglow now for almost 3 months and for the most part she is always in her hide. Over the past 2 weeks she's been almost always out and looking up to the top of the enclosure. Whether she's just got her head tilted as pictured below or 1/4-1/3 of her body straight up leaning on the glass. She'll be like that long periods of time. I have her housed in a small aquarium where I keep my babies for a few months before moving them. She eats fine. I looked in her mouth yesterday and nothing out of the ordinary.

Temps are spot on. 88 warm- 77-80 cool. 55-62% humidity. I have overhead heat while the other half of the screen top is covered with a wet towel to keep up humidity (does a very good job). Ignore the thermostat in the picture. I have a probe inside set to 88 degrees for accuracy. I just use it to read the cool side and humidity.

I've had Boas before, but never kept them in something tall like this so I would have never seen this behavior. She is a very aggressive feeder and always wants to escape. Wondering if she's just looking up ready for food or to get out. Is this normal?

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/rodriguespat88/IMG_2069_zps5lvfy6ue.jpg (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/rodriguespat88/media/IMG_2069_zps5lvfy6ue.jpg.html)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/rodriguespat88/IMG_2070_zpsxiczm54l.jpg (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/rodriguespat88/media/IMG_2070_zpsxiczm54l.jpg.html)

Her future home (top one).
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/rodriguespat88/IMG_2071_zpsdjz1npba.jpg (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/rodriguespat88/media/IMG_2071_zpsdjz1npba.jpg.html)
bigsnakegirl785
11-24-15, 10:11 AM
Looks like she's just sleeping.

Also, looks like you're in need of a tank upgrade, the heat lamp takes up so much space she probably doesn't really have room to thermoregulate. If you need something cheap, a small tub on some heat tape is a good option. Just drill some holes along the top and make the tub secure.

Unless it's bare for the picture, I'd also add two hides, one on each end.
NJHerp
11-24-15, 10:28 AM
Looks like she's just sleeping.

Also, looks like you're in need of a tank upgrade, the heat lamp takes up so much space she probably doesn't really have room to thermoregulate. If you need something cheap, a small tub on some heat tape is a good option. Just drill some holes along the top and make the tub secure.

Unless it's bare for the picture, I'd also add two hides, one on each end.

Thanks, but it works well the way it is. I've checked temps with a heat gun and half the tank is warm and the other is cooler so she can thermoregulate. I've been keeping snakes for over 10 years. I'm familiar with husbandry. I was just asking about the behavior.
Minkness
11-24-15, 10:44 AM
Behavior can be an indicator of husbandry though. So perhaps a larger enclosure is needed. Perhaps she's wanting to stretch out and that's as stretched as she can get.
Albert Clark
11-24-15, 01:02 PM
I agree with mink and bsg that another hide would help in that she would probably be more apt to get her whole body into a hide on the cool side. Another thing is to maybe Co side putting some cover on 3 sides of the enclosure. We are only giving suggestions and no one is discounting your experience.
SnoopySnake
11-24-15, 01:17 PM
Looks like she's just sleeping.

Also, looks like you're in need of a tank upgrade, the heat lamp takes up so much space she probably doesn't really have room to thermoregulate. If you need something cheap, a small tub on some heat tape is a good option. Just drill some holes along the top and make the tub secure.

Unless it's bare for the picture, I'd also add two hides, one on each end.

100% this. She needs more room to get away from the heat, and she can't really do that with one hide in the middle of the enclosure. Doesn't look like she can really stretch out in there.

If it works fine the way it is, you wouldn't be seeing odd behavior.
NJHerp
11-24-15, 02:52 PM
She moves the hide all over the place. As do all my snakes. That's why you see it in the middle. I'll move her to something bigger sooner than later. It does look cramped now that I look at it.
Minkness
11-24-15, 03:16 PM
Yup. That's probably all it is really. That's how I know when it's time for me to up my snakes enclosure sizes. Small isn't always bad though. I just think that even snakes get bored sometimes and just need to move a bit.
Albert Clark
11-24-15, 03:18 PM
Consider hides that have a little weight to them. Those deli bowls are very light and is partly the reason she moves it around so easily. Maybe a ceramic or flowerpot type hide?
Minkness
11-24-15, 03:24 PM
In the defense of the hide...I have a hide made of solid concrete that one of my BPs STILL moves around
NJHerp
11-24-15, 05:32 PM
Everyone, I moved her to her new digs and my adult BP benefited too as he got bumped to something bigger. I will report back my findings. Thanks!