Baby BP only using one hide?

[Shintaro]

Hiya. I just picked up a new baby Ball Python last week and she seems to be doing pretty well so far. I've got a pretty nice setup; she's in a 10 gallon tank with aspen substrate, and one hide on each side of the gradient. My humidity levels are pretty stable at 50-52% and my temps are fine too, measured by a digital probe. The warm side over the Under Tank Heater gets 88 at night and 92 during the day, while the cold side gets 78 at night and 80-83 during the day. All is well, I've handled her and let her roam around a table for a bit with no problems and my first feeding with her was successful.


But, I'm slightly worried about something. When she wants to hide, she goes to the hide on the cool side the /vast/ majority of the time. I've seen her in the warm hide only once or twice so far. What's strange is, while the warmer hide is a little bit bigger, it only has one opening, while the cooler hide has two openings and is slightly more cramped. I'm worried she won't thermoregate correctly and may end up getting sick from this - is it a possibility or is this perfectly normal for the Ball Python?


Also, I'm a little worried that what seems to be her favorite hide is a bit too small for her. She can get in perfectly fine, but it seems she's having a lot of difficulty getting out. I've heard her squirm around in the hide and actually move it off the ground. In fact, I've had to lift the hide up to get her out; after she balls up I've never seen her leave it until after I help her out. I'm not sure if she's trying to get out or just adjusting it, but it still worries me.


Thanks to any that can help.

[wideglide]

My cold hides are used the majority of the time so I think you're fine there. Also, BP's like very tight fitting hides so I'm guessing you're fine there as well. When you begin to see the hide actually lift off the ground while he's in there then think about getting something a little bigger. Sounds like he's got a nice home.

Oops make that a "she" not a "he".


Rob

[Shintaro]

Thanks for the help. Perhaps it isn't a problem in thermoregulation but just security. I'll switch the hides for a day and see what happens, but I still want to pick up a slightly larger hide since I feel this one is too small. I know they love small spaces but it seems like it's stuck most of the time, and I think that's what worries me so much.

Also, how can I lure her out of her hide to ensure that she's not stuck in there? Will I have to wait for feeding day? It's about 4 days from now and I'm not sure I can wait that long if she's having problems like that. Maybe I'm just being paranoid.

Here are some pictures of her size and the hide in question, with her in it (apology for size):

[Gerardo]

Try a hide with a smaller opening

[CORBIN911]

The best thing 2 do is have identical hides to see which shes prefers, Aswell look up reptile basics Black hides, by far the best hide youll get! But besides all that you should try to keep them both the same because they sometimes will favor a hide and stay on the cold/hot side more so then they should. but with the warming weather and overall temps increases i do find my guys to be more so mid/cool side of tank only on hot side for day or so of there meal.

[metalsmoker]

I also support the idea of getting two identical hides. Apart from that, I think that you don't have to worry about anything. My guy was spending most of his time in his cool hide (except for after-the-feeding time) and now (for like 4 months) he decided that he likes the warm hide better. I guess this is nothing to worry about since they are not robots that are programed to do as stated in books, care sheets, etc.