Try to relax :) It will take time for her to adjust to a new home and it's normal for her to be anxious at first. Give her a week or so to settle in, without handling outside of what is necessary to service the habitat (clean, water, etc.). That hide does look big compared to her, which may be why she's preferring to smoosh herself behind it. Young boas like tight spaces, like "how did you even fit in there?" tight. If you don't have a smaller hide, try stuffing that one with moss, extra substrate, or crumpled paper towels to make it more appealing.
Also, the temperature does sound like it's too low. You want the hot spot to be in the high 80s, with ambients in the low 80s. Do you have a thermostat for the heating elements? Are you measuring directly underneath them?
I’m going to agree and add on to this with humidity, boas need a high humidity like 60-80%, which will be hard to maintain with the screen top, I recommend covering it with foil or HVAC tape. Also make the substrate deeper so you can pour a bit of water in the corners so you can help up the humidity
The foils a great suggestion! I just put some aluminum foil on top of the mesh and it seems to be raising the temperature as well. I just sprayed her cage again cuz the humidity dipped to right under 60; so that’s bringing the temp down but hopefully if I give it a few minutes it’ll warm up.
Thank you! I’ve volunteered at a zoo and took care of snakes but she’s my first pet snake so I’m so anxious lol. The extra substrate in the hide is a good idea. I have the temp probe in the substrate under the light but not directly underneath because I don’t want to measure right underneath the light and think it’s warm enough when it’s not if that makes sense. I’m not sure how to keep the tank warmer without overdoing it- I couldn’t turn off her basking light last night because with only the ceramic element the tank drops to 78. I just have one digital thermometer in the tank right now so I’m not sure where the best spot for it is. There’s a basic analog one in there too but apparently those aren’t accurate in Colorado because of the elevation. I’m not sure why she’s staying to the colder side even tho the tank is a little cold for her.
Haha, I know the feeling! If it's any reassurance, you are probably more stressed out than she is :)
I would try putting the probe directly under the heat source, at least temporarily. Or, you can get a cheap [laser thermometer](https://www.amazon.com/Thermometer-Non-Contact-Temperature-Gun%EF%BC%8C-50%C2%B0C-Industrial/dp/B07XG3P7R9/ref=asc_df_B07XG3P7R9/?) for a point-and-click instant read. I saw in another comment you mentioned the aluminum foil is helping the temperature - that's great!
You might need a higher wattage CHE, but having a modest nighttime temp drop (~5ish degrees) is fine. Some breeders (including myself) even do it on purpose, to mimic seasonal conditions. Your current temps aren't cold enough to harm/bother her, but she may refuse food if there isn't a sufficient hot spot for digestion.
Thank you so much! That does help a lot, I’m definitely more stressed than she is haha. The temp under the light is 86.9 right now and I ordered a laser thermometer and a dome lamp that’s supposed to be more compatible with the CHE so that should help!
Just wanted to update since everyone was so supportive! She’s doing great and I’m way less paranoid haha. I got a night bulb for her so the temp isn’t dropping at night and made some setup changes and have been able to keep the temp 89-90 during the day and 84-85ish at night. She seems perfectly happy with this. She has favorite hiding spots and has decided to burrow under her log or large hide instead of using the new small one I bought her 🙄 She had her first meal with me today and ate so well!! Thanks everyone for the reassurance and advice!
Try to relax :) It will take time for her to adjust to a new home and it's normal for her to be anxious at first. Give her a week or so to settle in, without handling outside of what is necessary to service the habitat (clean, water, etc.). That hide does look big compared to her, which may be why she's preferring to smoosh herself behind it. Young boas like tight spaces, like "how did you even fit in there?" tight. If you don't have a smaller hide, try stuffing that one with moss, extra substrate, or crumpled paper towels to make it more appealing. Also, the temperature does sound like it's too low. You want the hot spot to be in the high 80s, with ambients in the low 80s. Do you have a thermostat for the heating elements? Are you measuring directly underneath them?
I’m going to agree and add on to this with humidity, boas need a high humidity like 60-80%, which will be hard to maintain with the screen top, I recommend covering it with foil or HVAC tape. Also make the substrate deeper so you can pour a bit of water in the corners so you can help up the humidity
The foils a great suggestion! I just put some aluminum foil on top of the mesh and it seems to be raising the temperature as well. I just sprayed her cage again cuz the humidity dipped to right under 60; so that’s bringing the temp down but hopefully if I give it a few minutes it’ll warm up.
Thank you! I’ve volunteered at a zoo and took care of snakes but she’s my first pet snake so I’m so anxious lol. The extra substrate in the hide is a good idea. I have the temp probe in the substrate under the light but not directly underneath because I don’t want to measure right underneath the light and think it’s warm enough when it’s not if that makes sense. I’m not sure how to keep the tank warmer without overdoing it- I couldn’t turn off her basking light last night because with only the ceramic element the tank drops to 78. I just have one digital thermometer in the tank right now so I’m not sure where the best spot for it is. There’s a basic analog one in there too but apparently those aren’t accurate in Colorado because of the elevation. I’m not sure why she’s staying to the colder side even tho the tank is a little cold for her.
Haha, I know the feeling! If it's any reassurance, you are probably more stressed out than she is :) I would try putting the probe directly under the heat source, at least temporarily. Or, you can get a cheap [laser thermometer](https://www.amazon.com/Thermometer-Non-Contact-Temperature-Gun%EF%BC%8C-50%C2%B0C-Industrial/dp/B07XG3P7R9/ref=asc_df_B07XG3P7R9/?) for a point-and-click instant read. I saw in another comment you mentioned the aluminum foil is helping the temperature - that's great! You might need a higher wattage CHE, but having a modest nighttime temp drop (~5ish degrees) is fine. Some breeders (including myself) even do it on purpose, to mimic seasonal conditions. Your current temps aren't cold enough to harm/bother her, but she may refuse food if there isn't a sufficient hot spot for digestion.
Thank you so much! That does help a lot, I’m definitely more stressed than she is haha. The temp under the light is 86.9 right now and I ordered a laser thermometer and a dome lamp that’s supposed to be more compatible with the CHE so that should help!
How long do you think I have to get the tank to a higher temperature before she starts having issues?
I'm not familiar with Nicaraguans specifically, but I'd say a day time hot side in the high 80s during the day, and low 80s at night
Just wanted to update since everyone was so supportive! She’s doing great and I’m way less paranoid haha. I got a night bulb for her so the temp isn’t dropping at night and made some setup changes and have been able to keep the temp 89-90 during the day and 84-85ish at night. She seems perfectly happy with this. She has favorite hiding spots and has decided to burrow under her log or large hide instead of using the new small one I bought her 🙄 She had her first meal with me today and ate so well!! Thanks everyone for the reassurance and advice!