Ball Python resting beneath substrate. Is this typical?

Hello,

For a week, my BP has chosen to remain contently burrowed under the substrate unless I dig her out.

Is this cause for concern?

Thanks,

Pyth

What kind of substrate are you using? What are your temps and how are you measuring them? Above or below the substrate? It could be that he/she just feels more secure when burrowed and is using the substrate as a make-shift hide, or maybe the temps on top of the substrate aren't warm enough so he/she is burrowing toward the heat...

Good info above. What are you using for hides? Is the enclosure a glass tank? How big are the enclosure and snake?

Regards,

B

Its hard to offer suggestions without a better feel for the situation. When you answer Inknsteel and Simple Man's questions then you'll have better response. My BP use to hang out under the aspen bedding when I got him bigger hides. He wouldn't go in them for about a month. Luck to you:)

In addition to the other questions, what is your humidity level? Its not uncommon for snakes to borrow in the substrate if the humidity is too low.

Yes, here's the information as of now.


Simple Man

Good info above. What are you using for hides? Is the enclosure a glass tank? How big are the enclosure and snake?

Regards,

B.


1 large wood-looking hide (Just got this for her; she preferred the smaller one without a doubt). Enclosure is glass tank. Snake is about 32" (she's hard to measure precisely) enclosure is 12x12x28 inches.



Today 12:44 PM
Inknsteel


Re: Ball Python resting beneath substrate. Is this typical?
What kind of substrate are you using? What are your temps and how are you measuring them? Above or below the substrate? It could be that he/she just feels more secure when burrowed and is using the substrate as a make-shift hide, or maybe the temps on top of the substrate aren't warm enough so he/she is burrowing toward the heat...

Reptile substrate from the pet store. Very soft bedding, resembles moss. Warm end temperature is 90 degrees. Cool end is between 78-82 deg.


Cendalla


Its hard to offer suggestions without a better feel for the situation. When you answer Inknsteel and Simple Man's questions then you'll have better response. My BP use to hang out under the aspen bedding when I got him bigger hides. He wouldn't go in them for about a month. Luck to you

Sounds like you and I have similar Ball Pythons, Cend. :-)


Thanks,

Pyth

It sounds like the new hide might be throwing your BP off. Mine like their hides far longer than they should. They will wear them like hats. Everything else sounds good, what's your humidity though?

Regards,

B

Is it a half log hide? They are no good as they have two large openings so the BP doesn't feel safe. These are great hides: http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/reptile_cave.php. You need a hide that the snake can barely fit into and it has one small opening! You can make your own too! A plastic dog bowl upside down with a hole in the side would do it and you can get those at the dollar store! Make sure you melt the edges of the hole with a lighter to smooth it out. There are several other ideas out there as well for a cheap hide. Just search it on here!

Yes, it's a half-log den.

Humidity is at 55%.

I measure temperature using strip thermometers, one on each side of the tank, beneath the bulb of the light.

Do you have belly heat also or just lights? The lights might be stressing the snake out. They are nocturnal and don't require uv light. Do you spray to keep humidity up? Screen top tank?

Regards,

B