Should I have a hide for my BP?

[MontyPython]

Ok, I think Im being paraniod, but sometimes i come home from work, and my bp is curled up trying to hide under the branch i have in the corner of the tank. i try to keep the light on one side of the tank, then sometimes in the morning hes curled up on the branch but right next to the blacklight lamp i use. Should the temp be a constant 80 or above? Or above 80? And he dosnt have anything to hide under, but i was told he didnt need it? I feel like hes telling me when hes to cold and when he dosnt want the light. Please let me know if im just being paraniod??

[STORMS]

Some people will tell you 1 hide, some will tell you two....

I have 2 identical hides. One on the warm side and one on the cool side. This allows the BP to thermoregulate without have to choose a hide that feels more secure. Sometimes when you have two different hides the BP will choose feeling secure over thermoregulating, and they NEED to thermoregulate in order to help with digestion

[python.princess]

You absolutely need at least one hide! Everything Lena said is correct. Also, I would suggest using a UTH (under tank heat pad) instead of the heat lamp. Ball pythons tend to prefer belly heat rather than basking. Also, heat lamps tend to suck all of the humidity out of the air. This can cause problems when your snake is in shed!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

In a glass tank I would highly recommend you to tight identical hides.

Also you need to provide a temp gradient, ideally 80-84 on the cool side and 90-94 on the warm side

I would also encourage you to read those

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56846

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

[instinct27]

You should definately have at least 1 hide. Ball pythons need to feel secure and hides help. The added security might mean you see your little buddy less but you will know that he is happy

[Melicious]

First of all, howdy!

Second, please have AT LEAST one hide in your ball pythons environment. They need to feel secure and safe. Being exposed and out in the open stresses them out.

Third, the temps should run around 80-84F on the cool side and 90-94F on the warm side. Do you have a Thermostat/Hygrometer to gauge these temperatures?

I'd also suggest leaving the branches and other such riffraff as you have in there as well if you've got a glass enclosure. That'll add some extra security for him and something to "play" on.

[Ranegyr]

I have had my male for 5 years and i just recently added the second hide and i see a world or difference. He moves from side to side almost like clockwork everyday. i use a uth under one hide (of course i have a thermostat.) at first i thought all this extra care was overkill, but they do thermoregulate to the side that feels more comfortable. go to home depot and get the plastic pots form the lawn and garden dept. i paid 97 cents each for 2 five gal pots. they are hunter green so it looks nice. and i just cut a hole big enough for him to crawl through. he loves it. less than $2 and he's happy.

[Slim]

Who told you your BP didn't need a hide? If it was the pet store guy where you got the snake, please disregard EVERYTHING that person told you about your BP and read this:

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

Then read page about how to set up a glass enclosure, cause I'm sure the pet store guy sold you one of those as well.

On the bright side, you at least found the right forum to have your questions answered...I have to wonder about the new owners of the 7,000 BP's that get sold at PETCO every weekend who we don't hear from.