Having some trouble...

[jonnydanger]

Ok so I just fed my spider, and she has been sitting on her mouse for about 20 min. Just curled up on it. Shes not moving and she seems to be breathing really hard. Just want to ask ya'll more experienced BP lovers what you think I should do.

[blackcrystal22]

Turn off the lights.. and leave the room.
Go back in an hour and see if she ate it or not.

I'm pretty sure she's just stressed out.

[jonnydanger]

She just kinda freaked me out with the heavy breathing. She hasn't done that before. The mouse is a little bit smaller than her width, so i know thats not the prob. Her humidity is at 58% right now, and i have her tank at 85 on one side and 68 on the other.

[gu1do24]

68 seems too low. I have mine set at 80-82 and 88-90, unless Im doing it wrong that is what I have read and been told by many. possibly its to cold for her to eat?

[SecurityStacey]

It does sound like your tank is too cold. If you look in the caresheets you will see you want temps about 90 on the hot and approx 80s on the cool. 68 is too cold for a ball python.

This is from the caresheet on temps:

TEMPERATURE
~80F (ambient temps)
~90F (basking temps)
75 or below is unhealthy
Night drops in temps are not necessary or desired

Maintaining proper temperatures is essential to keeping your ball python healthy – failure to do so can lead to a host of issues from poor feeding to potentially lethal respiratory infections. For this reason you want to make sure you are able to measure the temperatures accurately. The sticker-type thermometers used in aquariums, and the little dials usually found in pet stores are routinely inaccurate and do little more than measure the temps of the glass to which they are adhered. Do yourself and your ball python a favor and invest in a digital thermometer. One of the most cost-effective and easily available is the Accu-Rite digital thermometer/hygrometer combo available at large stores such as Wal-Mart. These retail for less than $15 and include a probe making it possible to monitor the warm side and cool side temps as well as the humidity levels all simultaneously.

Caresheet

[jonnydanger]

Ok cool I turned her tank up and she does seem to be a little more actve and happy. I appreciate all the info.