Help with new Ball Python

[ArcaneTB]

Hi, I'm new here and I just got my first ball python today. I'm a little worried to see it constantly trying to escape the tank. It hasn't used its hide yet either. i use a reptitherm heat pad on the bottom. My problem with this is directly on the glass bottom above the pad, the temperature ranges from upper 80s to low 90s. however, once i put aspen inside, it's cooler on top of the substrate (low to mid 80s) while the direct glass is higher (still upper 80s lower 90s). If i put the thermostat up to heat the substrate, then the direct glass will be upper 90s close to 100 while the top of the substrate becomes upper 80s. I use a temperature gun to measure these. The cool side is around 77 or 78. I'm afraid I'm not giving my bp correct heating. Either the direct glass is good but the substrate is too cool or the substrate is good while the direct glass bottom is too hot. Could this be why it's constantly try to escape and won"t use the hide?


Any help is appreciated & sorry if it's too long. It's stressing but i want to get it right. Thanks in advance.

[c0r3yr0s3]

It's normal for them to do that whenever they are moved into a new home. As far as the heat, do not turn it up. They will eventually dig into the substrate and if you have that at 100 the snake is more than likely gonna get burnt. Also, you should get a second hide, one on the warm side and one on the cool side with a water dish in between. Last but not least, post pictures of both the snake and enclosure so everyone can give more informed answers

[MD_Pythons]

Your cool side is fine, put your UTH on a thermostat. It can get too hot and burn your bp. You want your temps at the glass to be 88-90, they can burrow if they feel cold. And you need two identical hides in a glass tank.

[ArcaneTB]

So first, this is a 5 gallon tank. I thought about getting a bigger one but now I'm thinking about a tub instead. Will this be ok until I get a tub set up or do I need to move it ASAP? it has 4 feet at the bottom of the tank for vents. The dish is temporary. The worker convinced me to get something too big. Also, until I get a second hide (very soon) will a temporary hide work for the cool side? I know probes inside the tank is frowned upon but given the small rubber feet and the thick reptitherm, putting it outside just wasn't working. I also tried to make the aspen very thin for heat reason but the snake is just sliding it around.

Starting to think I jumped the gun getting this snake so early.

[ArcaneTB]

The pictures didn't post. How Do i post photos?

[c0r3yr0s3]

The pictures didn't post. How Do i post photos?

Download tapatalk...you can upload pictures straight from your phone

[c0r3yr0s3]

Bigger is not better when it comes to ball pythons. As far as the moving around the substrate, it's making itself at home. What size hide are you using? They like to be in a tight spot so to speak and if they don't feel secure in the hide, they won't use it

[ArcaneTB]

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[c0r3yr0s3]

You should black out the sides of the tank with either more of what's on the back or some construction paper. A temporary hide will be fine until you get another. Just make sure there is NO tape on it. I've used cardboard boxes several times. Just make sure it's not to big or you will be defeating the purpose of a hide

[ArcaneTB]

Gotcha. So is everyting else ok? Do I need more substrate? It is practically laying straight on the glass at this point? I don't know if you noticed but there's also a thermometer with a hygrometer in the back just above where the substrate was on the hot side reading about 80 or just below for temperature and just over 60 for humidity. Do i need to move this? Thanks for helping. I was close to panicking.