He's here! Also couple of questions.

[Highyeena]

So first thing, he's finally here! Meet Nick (omg he is so small), ignore the dust on my finger that's his bedding, I let him spend yesterday and the night getting adjusted before bothering him for a picture.




I just had a few questions, I had forgotten to buy his rats before he got here I was excited and forgot. I just ordered them but they won't ship till Monday and may not arrive till Thursday next week if I am reading Perfect Prey's shipping thing right... The breeder said he ate this week before being shipped and I am guessing that was on Monday to give him a couple of days before being shipped. Will he be okay until then waiting on food? I know balls can go a while without eating but babies I am still not sure.

The other question is: I placed the probe for the thermostat between the heat mat and the glass, I need to get a bigger one, tbh thought I bought the small not the mini but the mini is still enough for his size for now. Now the temp gun was reading 80F when I set the thermostat to 90F and now when it is set to 100F the temp gun reads the surface under the warm hide as 90F. Making me a bit nervous but I can imagine it's due to the gap between the heat map and the glass due to the probe being there. Is that normal? It's reading the temps correctly I tested it on some other surfaces.

Thanks for any answers in advance!

[Dylan_]

How are you measuring temps?. Also ypu shouldnt atte.pt to feed and absolutely no hamdling for atleast a week i wouldnt handle for atleast 3 sucessful meals. Temp at the glass should be 90f for proper digestion and ambient should be around 80. I use a infrared heat thermometor they work great for checking surface temps.

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[Dylan_]

How are you measuring temps?. Also ypu shouldnt atte.pt to feed and absolutely no hamdling for atleast a week i wouldnt handle for atleast 3 sucessful meals. Temp at the glass should be 90f for proper digestion and ambient should be around 80. I use a infrared heat thermometor they work great for checking surface temps.

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Nevermind just seen the comment u use heat gun sorry. Anyways the glass should be 90 so of its reading 90 its at a perfect temp i would just keep an eye on it and adjust as needed. I check mije every couple days when i can.

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[Highyeena]

Just trying to bump this so I can get an answer, I know how to read temps, and I know about handling I only took one picture he's been left alone since he got here that's not what I am asking. I am asking if it is normal for the mini to be such a POS under tank heater that it needs to be at 100F just to make the surface under the hide 90F. It's concerning me and would like a clear answer. I'll have to wait till next paycheck to get a new one and I am probably going to because at this point it has me worried.

As far as feeding goes I know balls can go a while w/o food but he is just three months old and I don't feel comfortable pushing that button without knowing it will be okay. Not like I can do anything now but wait since I already ordered the fuzzies, just worried worried worried (like the song, not trying to be repetitive lol) So this question is more null. I'm sure he'll be good though, he's been hiding, coming out for water, roaming just a bit to see what he can get into or looking for food but mostly hidden so ey.

[chakup]

If worried source a feeder locally before shipment arrives.
And yes that's fairly normal to have to set the temp decently higher than desired surface temp, somehow my setup works out dang near spot on. Just double check temps with gun to make sure it's maintaining properly

[Highyeena]

Yeah as I said the question for the feeders was kinda null since I am flat broke rn, had to help my partner with bills. His shipment of food should ship Monday next week so he only has to rough a few days, I just feel bad cause I got him and thought, "Max, what did you forget to buy?" I literally almost flew to my computer to order food, just wanted to know if he'll be good.

Thank you for answering the UTH question. Just wanted a second opinion.

[Godzilla78]

a mini heat mat is not going to do much. I like to heat up to a third of the enclosure floor with the heat mat. As far as feeding, the snake will be fine. Its not like you re going to starve him for 8 weeks.

[Dianne]

I’ll second the statement that it isn’t unusual to set the temperature higher than it reads inside at the glass. Even with my rhp’s, each cage is custom set to reach the surface temperatures I want below the unit. Of my 4 uth, 3 are set slightly higher than the inside temp. The 4th is a mini I purchased yesterday for Selene’s quarantine tub because the one I ordered was delayed and won’t arrive until next week. It is HOT and I had to set it for low to mid 80’s for my tub surface to be 90F. Temp guns are invaluable. I’ll be glad when my Ultratherm gets here.