Over the weekend some additional hide materials were added to the Royal Python’s viv. These took the form of rough split logs. the log was retrieved from a tree trimmed by the council - I baked the logs for 5 hours in the oven to kill off any mould or pests first, then removed all the bark and loose material before splitting the logs to form a new hide. This because she has taken to hiding behind the backdrop to the viv and I am concerned that she will be getting chilled behind there - it is away from all the heat and insulated from the tank by the foam thickness of the backdrop. She seems much happier in the main area of the tank now.

Tried her with a second mouse last night. As soon as I lifted the mouse in to the viv, she struck at it, but unfortunately missed! She caught both the mouse and my thumb (drew just a little spot of blood!) this made me jump and her as well. I think this put her off because, although she looked over the mouse for a good few minutes, she was very wary and didn’t take it. It was still there this morning, so I had to remove it again. Disappointing, but still not a major worry. She is taking an interest in the food, so I am not deeply concerned yet.

Tags: Snakes, Royal Python, Housing, Feeding