Help! Possible RI in baby ball python?

[Sierra_Nichole__]

I have adopted a baby pastel ball python from a friend who could not keep him. When I first got him I wanted to make him adjust to his new home as easily as possible. My friend used plastic for everything because he said the snake does not need most of the special pet store decorations. After some research, I agreed. I wanted to be 100% sure everything was clean because I know how important it is to a snake.

1. I went and bought new (cypress) bedding.
2. I washed & sanitized two homemade hides from black plastic boxes.
3. I wash and use plastic tupperware into a water bowl.
4. Sanitized the 20gal tank
5. Set it all up

For the first two days he looked happy and healthy. I'm always doing a tone of research in order to understand typical BP behavior and care. Then I came across a problem where I couldm't keep the heat & humidity in balance because the terrarium has a screen cover. (This is what the damn petco recommended to my friend) I used a new spray gun from the 99 cent store to evenly spray water onto the cypress mulch hoping this would get the humidity higher. That only worked for maybe a few hours and the Humidity would drop to the 20-30% range. Even when I turned the heat lamp off it would not raise above 45% humidity. Of course, the temp dropped too and I knew this was NOT good. I need to get paid before I can go buy him a new tank....

After about two weeks he was fine until recently I noticed that his colors began to get very dark and his belly has a pink tint to it. He stopped coming out of his hides unless he was switching to the opposite side and eventually stopped moving all together. He did not refuse to eat at all and actually ate very quickly (especially after holding a thawed mouse next to the lamp). I have been guessing he's been getting ready to shed sometime soon....

The only thing is....I have not noticed his eye's become grey or blue. Hes been dark in color for about 3 or 4 days.

I've been reading on all different types of heath issues. The only things that have caused me to think respiratory infection was when I read that they should not always be on wet bedding along with a very hard to hear clicking when he breathes. It doesn't happen every breath but if you stop and listen you can notice it.

Just today I solved my heat and humidity balance issues but I'm afraid I might be too late. Please help.

[KMG]

Relax. During a shed process it is very common to hear clicks and pops as they breath.

Using damp cypress mulch should not cause any issues either. Allow it to dry out before misting it again but it will be fine.

[bcr229]

Get some Glad Press n Seal and use it to cover the screen top, just leave space for the heat lamp. It will help keep humidity inside of the tank.

Otherwise don't waste your money on another tank. A plastic tub with a secure lid, such as a Sterilite 34 quart latch box, an under-tank heater (UTH), and a thermostat to control the UTH will be much easier to maintain and won't break the bank.

[Sierra_Nichole__]

Relax. During a shed process it is very common to hear clicks and pops as they breath.

Using damp cypress mulch should not cause any issues either. Allow it to dry out before misting it again but it will be fine.

Okay Okay.... [deep breath]
I'm new to this. It's one thing reading and researching a ton of stuff then its another when trying it out for yourself.
Thank you!

[Sierra_Nichole__]

Get some Glad Press n Seal and use it to cover the screen top, just leave space for the heat lamp. It will help keep humidity inside of the tank.

Otherwise don't waste your money on another tank. A plastic tub with a secure lid, such as a Sterilite 34 quart latch box, an under-tank heater (UTH), and a thermostat to control the UTH will be much easier to maintain and won't break the bank.

That's great to hear because I actually have done something similar. I have extremely thin plexiglass cut to fit perfectly on top of the screen with room for the heat lamp. I lined it with duct tape which makes it secure when you press down on it. Then I layered damp paper towels underneath it. The humidity stays above about 55% for a little more than a day and Ill spray and change the paper towels as needed.. Once I get paid again Ill get a UTH and thermostat. I also decided that paper towels are better and easier to manage than the cypress mulch. I don't have to wet the paper towels as bedding and can clean up any poop/pee super fast.

[bcr229]

That's great to hear because I actually have done something similar. I have extremely thin plexiglass cut to fit perfectly on top of the screen with room for the heat lamp. I lined it with duct tape which makes it secure when you press down on it.

Tape of any kind is usually a bad idea around snake enclosures.
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...48#post1412648

[Sierra_Nichole__]

Tape of any kind is usually a bad idea around snake enclosures.
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...48#post1412648

I can see why tape could be a bad idea just by using common sense. However the snake cannot even touch the tape if its life depended on it. I made it so it is on top of the screen and outside of the tank. I did not tape to the tank at all. Here are some pictures.

[barbie.dragon]

I have a screen top tank and i use soil as bedding. Never had humidity issues after that!