Is it normal for a bp to go to the cool side after eating?

I just fed my baby ball python for the first time since bringing him home and he went into his cool hide instead of his warm hide. I thought this kind of unusual since I thought belly heat helped them digest their food better?
He's been on his warm side quite often but only on top of his hide or behind it, I haven't seen him in it yet. It's bigger than the one on the cool side, should I get a smaller one or should I not worry about it too much?

If you have provided a hot spot and he needs it he will use it. If your ambient is 84 or above he is not likely to use the hot spot at all.

If he entirely tries to avoid being inside the warm hide it might be getting too hot in there, check the temps.

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Yes, I'd say that's normal. I'd check if there are any irregularities with the temperatures though. Also, if your hides are sizes or too open, that might be a contributing factor.

Totally normal especially for older ones

as long as all your temps are correct/within proper range it's totally normal. just double-check.

SOP (standard operating procedure) is to provide 2 identical hides so the snake doesn't feel they have to choose. the snake not using the warm hide and actually sitting on top of it is a sign they might not be comfortable using it, the UTH might be too hot, or they just decided they don't like it. consider getting another hide identical to the one you're using on the cool side.

All of my snakes sometimes have and do go to the cool side after eating.

Seconding the identical hides. By my experience, they WILL pick a favorite and WILL use that favorite at preference even if it's not the one they "should" be in currently.

Is your husbandry on point???

What are your temps? How are you regulating temps? How and where are you checking temps?

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Is your husbandry on point???

What are your temps? How are you regulating temps? How and where are you checking temps?

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Temps are 92 - 94 in the warm hide, ambient is about 80 and cool side is about 78
I use a zoo med digital thermometer for the warm side and a regular stick on thermometer on the cool side.
I have a light dimmer as well on case it gets to warm.