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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
 Posted - 28/06/2012 : 20:33:59
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If you know your gecko tank is running perfectly then pinch the exoterra digital out and use it on the mat. The stick on ones measure ambient (air) temperatures badly and as you are using a contact heater then the thermometer has to be in contact with it to know what its doing.
As for the thermostat, where is the probe positioned, to get an idea of whether the mat might be too hot as that can be dangerous (a lot more dangerous than if it was too cold).
Health wise, the picture shows it appears visually healthy, its not a great indicator of much but it doesn't appear under weight so as advised it would be a good idea to stop the assist feeding until its absolutely necessary, and try settle her in now into a lifestyle where everything isn't quite so stressful.
Another thing to note is the setup appeared quite humid, in my opinion too humid, if the substrate is moist it will be worth taking half of the substrate out and baking it dry in the oven (100oC for as long as it takes as you need to watch it) and then cooling it and bunging it back in and mixing it together, this should lower humidity. They just dont need it so high the glass gets heavy condensation on it, during the shedding process it is worth while raising humidity but not by having a wet floor, this can cause scale rot which is awful and a pain to treat or even worse the humidity can cause RI (respiratory Infection) and that is an expensive vets treatment if it gets bad.
*took so long to reply I missed 2 replies, I'm not changing it though, lol |
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Edited by - Lotabob on 28/06/2012 20:47:53 |
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Mikeyboy1992
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 21:04:12
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Its only got all that condensation because I cleaned her out fully yesterday and the orchid bark I buy is in a bag from pets at home and it akes about 3 days to get rid of it all. I have taken it all out the bags and i have been keeping it in a well ventilated box to let the air get to it which has helped but all that condensation will be gone by tomorrow evening. It doesnt stay like that for long. I just checked on her and the hot end is around 32 degrees C now and the cool end is around 28-29 degrees C.quote:
Originally posted by Lotabob
If you know your gecko tank is running perfectly then pinch the exoterra digital out and use it on the mat. The stick on ones measure ambient (air) temperatures badly and as you are using a contact heater then the thermometer has to be in contact with it to know what its doing.
As for the thermostat, where is the probe positioned, to get an idea of whether the mat might be too hot as that can be dangerous (a lot more dangerous than if it was too cold).
Health wise, the picture shows it appears visually healthy, its not a great indicator of much but it doesn't appear under weight so as advised it would be a good idea to stop the assist feeding until its absolutely necessary, and try settle her in now into a lifestyle where everything isn't quite so stressful.
Another thing to note is the setup appeared quite humid, in my opinion too humid, if the substrate is moist it will be worth taking half of the substrate out and baking it dry in the oven (100oC for as long as it takes as you need to watch it) and then cooling it and bunging it back in and mixing it together, this should lower humidity. They just dont need it so high the glass gets heavy condensation on it, during the shedding process it is worth while raising humidity but not by having a wet floor, this can cause scale rot which is awful and a pain to treat or even worse the humidity can cause RI (respiratory Infection) and that is an expensive vets treatment if it gets bad.
*took so long to reply I missed 2 replies, I'm not changing it though, lol
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 21:45:54
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| Sounds like your temps are good - a useful thing for orchid bark is to place it in a baking tray and "cook" it for an hour or so, then when you put it in it shouldn't have any condensation. But that's entirely optional a little humidity never hurt anybody |
\v/ Click me for Kelfezond Reptiles Facebook Page! \v/
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Mikeyboy1992
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 21:51:38
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Do you have any tips on getting her to feed normally by striking? All I have been doing is force feeding her since I had her because she refuses to touch anything otherwise. I hear gerbils are good.quote:
Originally posted by Kelfezond
Sounds like your temps are good - a useful thing for orchid bark is to place it in a baking tray and "cook" it for an hour or so, then when you put it in it shouldn't have any condensation. But that's entirely optional a little humidity never hurt anybody
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 21:52:50
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| You can try gerbil or multimamates but if she doesn't want to feed she won't :P pretty much just a waiting game. |
\v/ Click me for Kelfezond Reptiles Facebook Page! \v/
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Mikeyboy1992
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 21:59:13
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What are multimamates? And there isnt anywhere near me that sells frozen gerbils. Do you know of any good sites that sell and deliver good quality frozen food? Im in the UK.quote:
Originally posted by Kelfezond
You can try gerbil or multimamates but if she doesn't want to feed she won't :P pretty much just a waiting game.
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 22:07:25
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A&N Frozen Reptile food is a good one.
Multi's are the royal python natural prey, they are kind of like gerbils and irresistible to royals :) |
\v/ Click me for Kelfezond Reptiles Facebook Page! \v/
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Mikeyboy1992
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 22:28:35
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Hmm, it looks good but doesnt do gerbils. What exactly are multi's? Are they mice, rats...?quote:
Originally posted by Kelfezond
A&N Frozen Reptile food is a good one.
Multi's are the royal python natural prey, they are kind of like gerbils and irresistible to royals :)
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 23:26:23
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| neither, multimammates are multimammates, just another type of rodent. Most good reptile shops will either have them or be able to get them but be prepared for them to be quite expensive. Dont worry too much about striking though, my Royal has never struck anything in its life other than my face once and he even missed that and he is a monster size, feeds most times but only if its left in his viv quietly and left overnight. |
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Mikeyboy1992
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
Posted - 29/06/2012 : 00:23:12
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See thats the thing. Mine wont even eat it overnight. I would love her to start striking. But she wont have anything. I have to force feed her.quote:
Originally posted by Lotabob
neither, multimammates are multimammates, just another type of rodent. Most good reptile shops will either have them or be able to get them but be prepared for them to be quite expensive. Dont worry too much about striking though, my Royal has never struck anything in its life other than my face once and he even missed that and he is a monster size, feeds most times but only if its left in his viv quietly and left overnight.
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 29/06/2012 : 19:33:11
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That's the thing, no you dont! Force feeding is incredibly stressful and traumatic for the snake.
Your snake is NOT sick.
Your snake is NOT about to fade away
Royals can be funny feeders but I haven't heard of any that never eat on their own eventually.
One last time very clear.
*Stop force feeding your snake and leave it completely alone for 2 weeks.
*Change the water bowl every other day.
*Cover the glass with a towel so its totally dark inside.
*when the 2 weeks are up very quietly sneak in a small prey item (a rat pup will do for now) at about 11pm then leave it, leave the room too, not even one disturbance.
It might not work first time or even second but you have months available for that snake to not eat as they use very little energy so actually dont need food all that much. I would say after a month of offering quietly if it hasn't eaten then it is a good idea to visit an exotic specialist vet to have it checked over but this is a long way from right now. At this point you can consider live feeding but only once the vet has given the all clear to do so but cross that bridge should you ever get to it for now its 2 weeks of dark solitary, forget you even have a snake for now and you just have a pet bowl that needs washed every other day. |
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Royal Not Eating. Never Stikes
