2 questions...

my bp has been bathing in his dish alot(everyday for 4 days).. is this normal? he never has been in there this much, and he has pooped the last 2 days.. is this normal? i dont want to be the over paranoid first time owner, but i'm still learning about them:snake:

Not normal... either the heat is jacked up too high (do you have an overhead bulb or an uncontrolled Under Tank Heater (UTH)?

Can also be a sign that his humidity is too low. Best way to measure it is with a dual (indoor/outdoor) thermometer and hydrogemeter.

Or it could be mites. They look like little pepper flakes in his dish. They drown in water. Wipe him with a clean wipe paper towel, they will be dark little flakes that if you stare at them long enough (and go cross-eyed) you will see them move. Mite feces is an ashy color and you may see that on your snake as well.

Where did you get him from and how long have you had him for?

Normal healthy BPs do not typically soak for any period of time.

Bruce

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Originally Posted by Bruce Whitehead

Not normal... either the heat is jacked up too high (do you have an overhead bulb or an uncontrolled Under Tank Heater (UTH)?

Can also be a sign that his humidity is too low. Best way to measure it is with a dual (indoor/outdoor) thermometer and hydrogemeter.

Or it could be mites. They look like little pepper flakes in his dish. They drown in water. Wipe him with a clean wipe paper towel, they will be dark little flakes that if you stare at them long enough (and go cross-eyed) you will see them move. Mite feces is an ashy color and you may see that on your snake as well.

Where did you get him from and how long have you had him for?

Normal healthy BPs do not typically soak for any period of time.

Bruce

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Bruce hit all of my concerns right on the head. He usually does. I'd definitely pick up a digital thermometer/hygrometer. You can pick up the Acu-rite for under $15 at Wal-Mart in the outdoor woodsy area of the store. It's so great.

Thermostats are easily picked up online. You can spend anywhere from $20 to $400 on a thermostat. I've got two in the middle. ^_^ Even the Zoomed thermostat is easy to use once you read the instructions, and I've also got a Herpstat for my rack system. It's really up to you.

hey everyone...im posting in behalf of nizzi... we checked our snake for mites....he dosn't have any...and the temp ranges from 82-86 during the day and 78-75 at night... the day time bulb is a ceramic heat emmiter bulb... and the humidtry varies from the high 70's - mid 80's..... he really is only in the water dish during the day..at night when his night time light comes on he usually roams around the tank or wil lay on the log/hide he has.... he is going to the vet on the 15th for his first visit..so idk if its bad that he soaks or what..thanks for your help..

If you're not cooling for breeding, the temps are too low. The warm side ought to be about 92F and the cool side 82F, with ambient temps of about 82F. Also, humidity needs only to be about 50-60%; even during a shed.

Also, ball pythons don't need a light on at night :)

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Originally Posted by Dudelo560

hey everyone...im posting in behalf of nizzi... we checked our snake for mites....he dosn't have any...and the temp ranges from 82-86 during the day and 78-75 at night... the day time bulb is a ceramic heat emmiter bulb... and the humidtry varies from the high 70's - mid 80's..... he really is only in the water dish during the day..at night when his night time light comes on he usually roams around the tank or wil lay on the log/hide he has.... he is going to the vet on the 15th for his first visit..so idk if its bad that he soaks or what..thanks for your help..

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What are you using to measure your temps and humidity. You must use digital gauges. If you are using the analog ones you might as well be trying to play Frisbee with your snake with them.

Also your temps if that is correct is kind of low. It should range about 80F-90F not below 80F unless you are cycling for breeding.

You humidity should range about 50%-60% regularly and you can bump it up to 65% when in shed or add a humid hide.

There is a great care sheet on here http://ball-pythons.net/modules/Sect...warticle&id=59

Read it about 5 times when you think you have it down read it a couple more times... That is what I have to do.

There is a lot to know about these guys and it can be over whelming some times. Just do your best, and keep us updated with your new addition.