How long should new snakes be left alone?

[ConcinusMan]

yes he is an albino checkered, he definitely prefers the red basking bulb over the bright one.

Be careful. I wouldn't even use the bright bulb at all and definitely stay away from UV. That means sunlight and reptile basking bulbs. The red ones or ceramic heat emitters are fine. Albinos have no melanin, therefore no protection against UV. They will sunburn and there's a risk of blindness and cancer.

Sounds like your albino checkered is acting pretty normal.

so the seller said all baby snakes got pinky mice every monday...but Ive chopped up, worms, fish, pinky mice and he wont eat anything. I feel like Ive tried everything but live fish at this point...

Give him time. It's a bit early to start worrying about him eating as long as he looks like he has a healthy body mass and isn't "wasting away". Don't offer too often. If he wont eat, wait several days before you try again.

When you thaw pinkies, thaw them in a sealed bag, in warm water. Don't place the pinky directly in water. It washes off the smell. Also, try "braining" the pinky.

[Madame_Mel]

So I got rid of the bright lamp, let him be for a few days, and then put a minnow in his water bowl about three hours ago.. went back to check and the minnow is gone. So either the fish pulled a Houdini or the little guy ate something!

[ConcinusMan]

So I got rid of the bright lamp, let him be for a few days, and then put a minnow in his water bowl about three hours ago.. went back to check and the minnow is gone. So either the fish pulled a Houdini or the little guy ate something!

That's great but you really need to verify if he ate it or not. Perhaps give him a few more and see if a bulge appears in his belly. Also, you gotta be careful about just putting food in and walking away. You don't want substrate sticking to it and getting swallowed.

[Madame_Mel]

That's great but you really need to verify if he ate it or not. Perhaps give him a few more and see if a bulge appears in his belly. Also, you gotta be careful about just putting food in and walking away. You don't want substrate sticking to it and getting swallowed.

since my post, I've witnessed him swallowing multiple minnows, I give him 2 or 3 every 2 or 3 days in his water bowl, so I'm guessing the risk of substrate being swallowed is small? Tonight I am going to offer him fish scented pinky mouse parts and see if he will take those since he has been doing well and gobbling these minnows up

[ProXimuS]

I give him 2 or 3 every 2 or 3 days in his water bowl, so I'm guessing the risk of substrate being swallowed is small?

I thought that too, because mine eats out of his water bowl too, until it did happen. Sometimes, they will drag their food out and across the substrate. You can try moving him to a container just for feeding, with no substrate(maybe just paper towels). Or(what I do) you can line the cage with paper towels for feeding time, but with this you still need to make sure you monitor just in case.

[Madame_Mel]

I thought that too, because mine eats out of his water bowl too, until it did happen. Sometimes, they will drag their food out and across the substrate. You can try moving him to a container just for feeding, with no substrate(maybe just paper towels). Or(what I do) you can line the cage with paper towels for feeding time, but with this you still need to make sure you monitor just in case.

thanks for the advice I will try paper towels next time. It's hard to monitor these things when he refuses to eat with me in the room. or so it seems?

[ProXimuS]

He'll get used to it. Just takes some time I think it was maybe a monthish until mine would eat in front of me.