I need to cool down my hot side!!
I've had my ball python for less than a week now and I've noticed that it gets EXTREMELY hot under one of his warm hides, sometimes reaching 100+ºF. I have a 30 gallon tank and my snake is fairly small, and he seems to enjoy being under his hot hide. I have a ZooMed 30-40 gallon UTH and a ZooMed thermometer, which I now keep under his hot hide. Do you think my snake is damaged by now?? He stays in those temperatures all day and I can't seem to lower them to consistently keep it at 92ºF or so. I am very scared and want whatever's best for him, I need to know whether this is harming him and how to fix it.
PLEASE HELP ME :(
Sidenote: the ambient temp/cool side temp is usually around 76º
He doesn't seem to be going back and forth to regulate his temperature.
P.S. He is alive.
ANY ADVICE IS APPRECIATED
Re: I need to cool down my hot side!!
Thank you so much, you guys are really awesome. I was told not to handle him until Thursday, since he's new, but do you think I should check? I don't want to stress him out too much.
Re: I need to cool down my hot side!!
He should be fine to be checked for signs of irritation/burning. Just don't over do it.
Re: I need to cool down my hot side!!
I checked on him - no pink and he seemed to be in a decent mood. The substrate in side his hot hide doesn't feel very hot at all and now I'm wondering if my thermometer probe is acting up.. It really doesn't feel like it could have been that hot in there but I know I can't just rely on how it feels to my touch.
Re: I need to cool down my hot side!!
I'm so glad he seems to be okay... I rest the probe on top of the substrate in the warm hide he likes the best, with the chord anchored by the lip of the hide. He has cypress mulch substrate that seems to be pretty matted down