Ball Python Won't Go to Warm Side of Tank or Eat
I have a 2-year-old normal ball python, Louis, who has always been very healthy and a good eater.
In the past three months; however, I have not seen him go into the hide on the warmer side of his tank -- not even once. Now for the stats of my setup: Louis is kept in a large-low Exo Terra terrarium, measuring 36" x 18" width a height of only 12". I have a large UTH on one side of his mat kept on a thermostat at 96 degrees, so my thermometer reads that at substrate level the temp on the warm side is usually right around 90 degrees. On his cooler side, where he spends 100% of his time, the temperature is always between 76 and 80 degrees. I use two ceramic heat emitters with different wattages to beat his tank from above. I have a humidifier set up outside of the tank with a hose enabling the mist to enter the enclosure; my hygrometer usually reads somewhere between 50 and 65%. He has an appropriate sized hide on both sides of the enclosure and plenty of fake leaves for cover, as well as a large water dish in the center of his tank. I use shredded coconut fibers for substrate.
Louis did shed about a month ago, but it's been almost three months since he ate. I usually feed him frozen-thawed rat, but after wasting four of them I went and bought a live one because he ate live when he was younger. He showed interest in the live rat, but he refused to strike at it. I tried for several days in a row to feed him late at night but ended up letting the rat go.
I have read extensively on this forum and can't seem to find a remedy -- is his cool side too warm, perhaps? Or the hot side not hit enough? The temperatures I have them at seem to be recommended, so I just can't figure it out.
Any help would be greatly appreciated; I really want to help him travel to the warmth of his UTH so he can eat again!
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