Two Part Post: Picky Eating/Cage Design

[morsecode970]

My python is a little over 1.5 years old. I've fed him every Tuesday for the last 6 weeks but he'll only eat every other week. The times that he HAS eaten he wasn't particulary enthusiastic about it. Other than around feeding time, his behavior doesn't seem unusual. I can't seem to find anything peculiar when I look at him.

I've had him for about a year and until now I haven't had a problem feeding him. I'm a little worried but I'm going to chalk it up to changing seasons, daylight, crazy random growing phase, etc for now unless he starts acting stressed or noticeably losing weight.

This week is finals week for school so, unfortunately, I'm way too busy to take any special amount of time out for Cory (Cory Worthington DeSnakey.) However, once I have some free time I'm going to make some big changes to his cage and post some pics of Cory and sketches for his new home.

Right now, he is in a 55 gal with one infrared lamp and an UTH that give him a warm hide that stays about 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The cold side of his tank is room temperature so about 68 but he has 2 hides between his warm one and the coldest corner.

Seeing as I am an architecture major, I'm planning on designing an envelope to surround his tank that:
-Insulates so the thermostat doesn't have to work so hard and the cold side will warm up a bit
-Adds another basking lamp to turn on during the day and off during the night to suit his diurnal nature because my room doesn't get a lot of sunlight.
-Controls the direction of the light from the tank so I can sleep at night
-Limits the movement of air through his screen top to help control humidity.
-Use modern architecture design principles to make a unique terrarium exterior but keep the interior more natural and traditional.

( I'll probably use materials like rigid foam insulation, wood louvers, etc. Stuff you wouldn't normally consider using with a terrarium.)

Any thoughts? Suggestions? Stories about Spotted Pythons overcoming a sudden phase of pickiness?

This is my first snake but I've done TONS of research for him. Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot of info out there on spotted pythons.

P.S. I apologize for such a long post, but I've been very busy these last few weeks and haven't had time to post as I think of things.

[shaunyboy]

its most likely down to it being breeding season mate

a lot of pythons go off their food around this time of year,also he's reaching sexual maturaty at 1 and a half years of age

cheers shaun

[millertime89]

I too was once in architecture and every so often I have thoughts about designing things like this. A word of advice, keep it simple or it'll never get done. I remember what it was like trying to do my own side projects while in arch, I loved doing the design work, but when it came to actually building it, I didn't want to finish because it felt like more school work.
I like the name BTW, best of luck during your finals, we all need it.

[jarich]

So before six weeks ago, was he eating every week? It sort of sounds like six weeks ago you changed it up by trying to feed him every week, but Im not sure if Im just reading incorrectly. Either way, as long as he is eating it doesnt seem like any issue to worry about. I think usually about this time in their lives they switch from eating lizards and such to bats and rodents, so he might be looking for different prey. Just a thought.

The rigid foam insulation is handy and gets used in vivariums to great effect. Im not sure how you would use louvers unless you were trying to hide the tank to some extent. Ive often thought it would be fun to just convert an old beautiful piece of furniture, like an old steamer trunk or buffet hutch for instance. You can find them cheap at second hand stores and they are often ornately crafted. Would save you time on the construction and you'd end up with a gorgeous enclosure.

[morsecode970]

Finals are over!

Thanks Shaunyboy that helps calm my nerves a bit.

Jarich, my first step in designing the new cage will be to go to a recycled building supply warehouse where they sell old furniture, doors, cabinets, etc. to see what I can use.

Unfortunately, during finals, I let the humidity drop a little too low and, what do you know, he decided to shed and now he has some retained eye caps. He's soaking in a warm damp cloth now but I'll get pictures up soon hopefully.