Ball python laying outside of hides

I have a 3 1/2 ft ball python, age unknown, I got it on Craigslist about a year ago the woman said he was about 2 1/2. So he has always layed in one of his 2 hides which are plastic bowls with holes cut in them. Today he has been ( I call him he but no idea of the actual sex) laying outside and on top of his hide. The temp of the cage is 80 on the cool side and 90 on the warm and 60% humidity. All read with digital gauges. He eats regularly about every week and a half. He seems alert. Just wondering if he's ok as I've never seem him lay out his hides before. He also sheds good in one piece no problems. I'm kind of a worry wart when it comes to my pets.

he fine just scared to hot or likes to explore

Too hot? I thought I had at correct temps. Should it be lower? Also if he was scared wouldn't he be hiding?

I can tell you from experience with my snakes each one is different and each one will lay outside of their hides from time to time.

I've only had my baby BP for about a month, but I don't think that's anything to be worried about. Especially if you have a tub with an opaque lid/cover; I think that makes them feel secure even in the non 'hide' parts of the cage. Like they're always hiding a little bit.
After mine got used to her new home, she alternates between sitting in her hides, in the cool spot, in the warm spot, on top of the hides, ect. from day to day. But she's always curled up and resting when she does this. I think something bigger to worry about would be if they are out and active during the day. That might mean they are uncomfortable or hungry or something.

Re-check the temperature of his substrate under his hot side hide, there's a chance the thermostat is failing so the UTH is too hot. You won't see a difference in the air over his hide, you need a temperature gun or IR thermometer to measure it properly.

Otherwise he may have outgrown his hide, or he may be old enough and comfortable enough in his enclosure to spend less time hiding and more time out in the open. Mine also spend more time out of their hides in the evenings when they're hungry, they come out to hunt.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Re-check the temperature of his substrate under his hot side hide, there's a chance the thermostat is failing so the UTH is too hot. You won't see a difference in the air over his hide, you need a temperature gun or IR thermometer to measure it properly.

Otherwise he may have outgrown his hide, or he may be old enough and comfortable enough in his enclosure to spend less time hiding and more time out in the open. Mine also spend more time out of their hides in the evenings when they're hungry, they come out to hunt.

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I have a temp gun and a digital thermometer, also his hide is plenty good size as he hasn't really grown much since I got him. He also has a hide on the cool side that he won't lay under today either. This has only been happening today. Also don't think he's hungry as normally if he is he comes out at night and cruises around. Today it's during the day and he just is laying curled up either behind his bowls or I saw him curled on top of the one under the light ( I also have a uth on te warm side in addition to the light) I checked temps all seems normal.