Hanging out

I have another question for you guys about my new baby BP.
During the day he hides out in his cool hide, sometimes he'll come and sit on TOP of his hide.
He spends a lot of time outside of his hides though, or on top of them, during the day and at night and I was wondering if this is normal?
He has two hides, one on each end of his enclosure. He doesn't seem nervous or anything, seems quite curious and active. He seems to thermoregulate well since he moves from one end of the tank to the other a few times a day.
I was thinking maybe it gets too warm in his hides since it's quite warm weather lately?
Basically I'm just wondering if this is normal or not?

Thanks!

No that really isn't normal. What are your temps? What type/size hides are you using?

My temps are normal.. about 90F on the warm side and then the cool side would be whatever the temp in the room is at the time.
The hide on the warm side is big enough to have him squish in there comfortably with a bit to spare, the cool side hide is about twice the size of him balled up.
He does spend a good amount of time in his hide during the day but it seems he does come out and sit on top of the hide or just beside it a lot too.
Oh, and the actual hides I'm using are these ones http://www.livefoods.co.uk/images/hideout-new.jpg the small and the medium size.

What heat source are you using, and where/how are you measuring the hot temp (probe inside hide, etc.)?

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Originally Posted by KTyne

My temps are normal.. about 90F on the warm side and then the cool side would be whatever the temp in the room is at the time.

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How cold do you keep your place in the summer?

Your hides should be identical, not two different sizes, I would get another small one, the medium sounds too big

I'll actually disagree a little with the other posters here.

First question before deciding if the snake is doing anything to be concerned about - is it feeding for you? If it's eating, then it's probably just fine.

Second part is that honestly, with warmer temps and a snake that feels comfortable in its own cage, sometimes they do come out more often. I spend between 8 and 10 hours a day in the store(s), and with that comes the chance to observe our snakes in their cages. Sometimes, some ball pythons just don't mind coming out, and will come out and hang out regularly. Most of them don't do this - but every so often, there's a couple that'll do it. Sometimes its just a phase, sometimes it's just when they're hungry (customers regularly remark on their snakes becoming more active before feeding day), or just after the cage fogs up in the morning. I could tell you a few anecdotal stories of individual snakes that would do this, both here at the store and from customers, but it's all pretty much the same as what you're describing.

The behavior you're describing sounds pretty normal, IMO, especially if the snake is still eating. If it is not feeding for you, then that's definitely a sign it's uncomfortable.
As it gets older, it may stop coming out so much, but otherwise it's just a quirky snake. :)

-Jen

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

What heat source are you using, and where/how are you measuring the hot temp (probe inside hide, etc.)?

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Heat pad and I use a digital probe thermometer.

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Originally Posted by mackynz

How cold do you keep your place in the summer?

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Right now my house isn't super warm or anything, just normal room temps, not hot.

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Originally Posted by tlich

Your hides should be identical, not two different sizes, I would get another small one, the medium sounds too big

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Ahhh ok, it's weird though because I don't think he really ever goes in the small one, he only seems to use the bigger one.