New baby ball python. Need some help :{

[Anakalia6]

Ok guys, I got a new baby ball python about 3 days ago and I have him in a 40 gallon tank. I've had snakes before but never a ball python or never anything big. First issue is I can't keep the heat up :{ I can't get it above 80 degrees. I have two heat lamps and an under tank heating pad. I put both lights on the opposite side as the water and the little pad to at least get one side up to a proper heat but it doesn't seem to be working yet. And ideas?? Second issue is my little guy wheezes when he breaths (whistles). I know that could also be because of the heating, or it could be an RI. Any ideas?? And last thing.... I have a vine that goes around his tank about 8" up. He loves going up there all the time but he falls.... Now I don't want my little guy hurting himself. Is this just a bad idea and take it down, or is this just cuz he is still a baby and he will learn how to maneuver eventually?? Please help, I want my little guy to have the best and most comfortable life I can give him.

[xdeus]

Take a look at the husbandry page, especially the sticky posts on top including the BP Caresheet and the glass tank setup.

I would take the vines down until you can get the heat adjusted. If your snake has proper heat with a warm and cool hide, he probably won't use the vine very much. He's most likely using it now to get closer to the heat source. Ball Pythons will climb on their own, but they feel most comfortable on the ground in a nice warm hide. BTW, I'm not sure why you can't get the temps over 80 with three heat sources. Is he in a very cold room?

The wheezing may or may not be an RI. It could just be a stuck shed, but I would definitely keep a close eye on him and get him to a vet if it persists or if you notice fluid, bubbles or excessive yawning.

If you can post a pic of your setup I'm sure you will get many more responses and suggestions.

[medic]

I think your tank is too big for a baby I got mine last august and have him in a 10 gallon and that is more than enough room for him. I have a uth under his warm hide and a lamp over the cool and it keeps the ambient at 80. If you have too big of a tank it can really stress them out cuz they like small spaces do if u can I'd get a 10 and keep the 40 until its an adult. You can also cover the top with tin foil, that should help keep in heat and humidity

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[Anakalia6]

Take a look at the husbandry page, especially the sticky posts on top including the BP Caresheet and the glass tank setup.

I would take the vines down until you can get the heat adjusted. If your snake has proper heat with a warm and cool hide, he probably won't use the vine very much. He's most likely using it now to get closer to the heat source. Ball Pythons will climb on their own, but they feel most comfortable on the ground in a nice warm hide. BTW, I'm not sure why you can't get the temps over 80 with three heat sources. Is he in a very cold room?

The wheezing may or may not be an RI. It could just be a stuck shed, but I would definitely keep a close eye on him and get him to a vet if it persists or if you notice fluid, bubbles or excessive yawning.

If you can post a pic of your setup I'm sure you will get many more responses and suggestions.

Ok how do I post a pic on here and where???

[RestlessRobie]

I think your tank is too big for a baby I got mine last august and have him in a 10 gallon and that is more than enough room for him. I have a uth under his warm hide and a lamp over the cool and it keeps the ambient at 80. If you have too big of a tank it can really stress them out cuz they like small spaces do if u can I'd get a 10 and keep the 40 until its an adult. You can also cover the top with tin foil, that should help keep in heat and humidity

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

X2 I would go to a 10 gal or atthe biggest a 20L to large of a tank can cuase stress issues. Pic would help I post mine to FB and then link them here

[xdeus]

Ok how do I post a pic on here and where???

You will need to link a picture to your message. You can use one of the image hosting sites (including Facebook, Imgur, etc.) or use the gallery on this site. Just go to Gallery>Upload and follow the prompts to upload your picture. Then post a reply here and select the little picture icon on top of the text window, and paste the location of your picture.

[Anakalia6]

http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set...8478582&type=1

Here is the link to the pictures of my BP and my tank. I probably do need a smaller tank but there is no way I can afford a whole new tank right now....maybe i can block off half of it till he gets a little bigger?? I don't know my biggest concern though is his wheezing. Ill probably just have to take him in tomorrow... Im worried about the little guy though and dont really know what else to do.

[Anakalia6]

The photos are now in my gallery if that helps at all....

[VEXER19]

My girl crashes and burns off her vine all the time about a foot up and she is fine. She is getting better at climbing as se gets older but I still hear a thump from time to time. By the way its your ground temps your talking about and not the ambient temp right? And as everyone else says pics help cause humidity will be your next issue running 2 lamps.

[Anakalia6]

My girl crashes and burns off her vine all the time about a foot up and she is fine. She is getting better at climbing as se gets older but I still hear a thump from time to time. By the way its your ground temps your talking about and not the ambient temp right? And as everyone else says pics help cause humidity will be your next issue running 2 lamps.

Im talking about the temp that shows on the upper thermometer like 3" below the lid... I just added the pics to my gallery. My room is in the downstairs of my house so its a little cooler but not so cold that two lamps shouldnt be able to heat....