heat shy

[dawn2011ca]

Hi Im new here and wonder if anyone can tell me why my 9 yr old ball python would rather be cold than warm. We have no feeding issues, no digestion issues , the ambient temperature in his take is about 84, but he stays away from the warmth and is like 74 every day till I take him and warm him, but he still shies away from the heat. We have tried several warming options from lamps to pads and he still prefers to be cold. He is healthy and calm( of course from the cold. I think I whipped by my snake and he just wants the attention LOL. Can anyone offer advice please?thanks

[hazzaram]

Hi Im new here and wonder if anyone can tell me why my 9 yr old ball python would rather be cold than warm. We have no feeding issues, no digestion issues , the ambient temperature in his take is about 84, but he stays away from the warmth and is like 74 every day till I take him and warm him, but he still shies away from the heat. We have tried several warming options from lamps to pads and he still prefers to be cold. He is healthy and calm( of course from the cold. I think I whipped by my snake and he just wants the attention LOL. Can anyone offer advice please?thanks

You know, I have the same thing with one of my snakes. Not my bp's, but my brazilian rainbow boa! She is always in her hide on the cool side and whenever I pull her out, she's pretty cool to the touch. I've caught her in her warm hide maybe once. =\ But I offer her proper temp gradients and I trust her to be where she needs to be. As long as you're offering proper temps, your snake will choose what it wants!

[M.P.C]

What are the temps of the hot side and how are you measuring them? Regardless its most likely nothing to worry about the whole purpose of providing a thermal gradient is so they can choose what temps they preffer inside the tank

[dawn2011ca]

his heated spot is about 82-85 his cold spot is about 79, but he curls until all the bedding is off the glass at bottom of enclosure and lays on the cold glass I have to say he is a bit of a dumbass, but every thing is set up right

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I pretty much thought that but it is nice to have my thoughts confirmed thanks

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thanks for the replies

[M.P.C]

How are you measuring temps? How are you heating the enclosure?

[GoingPostal]

Pic of your setup? Is there hides on both ends?

[Zincubus]

Hi Im new here and wonder if anyone can tell me why my 9 yr old ball python would rather be cold than warm. We have no feeding issues, no digestion issues , the ambient temperature in his take is about 84, but he stays away from the warmth and is like 74 every day till I take him and warm him, but he still shies away from the heat. We have tried several warming options from lamps to pads and he still prefers to be cold. He is healthy and calm( of course from the cold. I think I whipped by my snake and he just wants the attention LOL. Can anyone offer advice please?thanks

I have a two year old Pastel Royal who's always in the cooler half apart from after a feed when he seeks out the heat to aid digestion .

[200xth]

Hi Im new here and wonder if anyone can tell me why my 9 yr old ball python would rather be cold than warm. We have no feeding issues, no digestion issues , the ambient temperature in his take is about 84, but he stays away from the warmth and is like 74 every day till I take him and warm him, but he still shies away from the heat. We have tried several warming options from lamps to pads and he still prefers to be cold. He is healthy and calm( of course from the cold. I think I whipped by my snake and he just wants the attention LOL. Can anyone offer advice please?thanks

Doublecheck your temps and make sure you're measuring them properly.

That said, some just like the cooler temps. If they're healthy, eating well, gaining size consistently and have no problems with poops or sheds, I wouldn't worry about it.

[dawn2011ca]

Thanks for the quick responses and advice

his terrarium has been winterized vents covered top screen covered, ceramic heater in place, has reg light that throws heat as well sorry no current pics. i use a temp gun, i have a hanging thermometer, and aquarium temp strips, i also have 2 gauges in the room they are in. I know very well his habitat is twice the size it needs to be, he's a very calm and pleasant snake. He has been this way all his life and i just never thought to ask anyone. Trust me about the heat, im menopausal and die every winter just to keep the temps normal

he is well mannered, other than evacuating accidents, my not paying attention, he does the im a big snake breathing once in a blue moon but i just ignore it and he stops. I don't let anyone who isn't family hold him , i do have everything under control. maybe its a personality thing. just another strange behaviour I suppose. he certainly has a lot of them. hence the dumbass nickname.

im one of those snake owners that tells people there is always the possibility getting bit by my cat before i worry about the snakes.

[dawn2011ca]

I just reread my first post and saw i said i whip my snake, I do not I am whipped by every animal in my home, my fish splash me when they want food for heavens sake. Laughing at my self.