Picture of Elizabeth maybe shedding? I need the communities opinions please!

An uncontrolled UTH can reach temps of 130, and with something loose like aspen you can get burrowing as the snake moves around under the log. A snake directly on top of an unregulated UTH can definitely get some serious burns.

I'd get a thermostat as soon a possible. She may be choosing the log for it's safety feeling rather than temp. They don't always know to avoid really hot things(hence the reason hot rocks are such a bad idea)

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Originally Posted by Trey Yeoman

and I have no thermometer on the underside of the tank or any way to tell how hot the pad is... or the glass... but when I touch the underside of the tank with my bare hand it feels hot to me.. maybe like hot bath water... not much hotter than that...

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Way too hot. Those pads can get REALLY hot when not regulated with a thermostat (or at least a rheostat/dimmer switch). And ball pythons are not capable of knowing if a surface is too hot to lay on.

I honestly can't say if that is a shed or burn or both, but I CAN say that you need to do something about that heating pad, even if you have to borrow money from Mom. Go to Lowes/Home Depot/Ace and get a lamp-dimmer...it's a little sliding switch on an extension cord that you can plug your heater cord into...then dial it down. To measure the temperature, you also need a thermometer...which can also be found at the hardware store or WalMart...a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer that also measures humidity. The dimmer switch is usually less than $10 and the thermometer is less than $15.

The aspen bedding should NOT look wet...at all. And all wastes should be cleaned up as soon as feasible. While the snake is in the healing process, I would take the aspen out and replace it with clean newspaper or paper towels. With those, it's very easy to see if the snake has left a mess. You can spritz the paper/bedding when misting the cage, but it should never, ever be soggy.

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Originally Posted by JLC

Way too hot. Those pads can get REALLY hot when not regulated with a thermostat (or at least a rheostat/dimmer switch). And ball pythons are not capable of knowing if a surface is too hot to lay on.

I honestly can't say if that is a shed or burn or both, but I CAN say that you need to do something about that heating pad, even if you have to borrow money from Mom. Go to Lowes/Home Depot/Ace and get a lamp-dimmer...it's a little sliding switch on an extension cord that you can plug your heater cord into...then dial it down. To measure the temperature, you also need a thermometer...which can also be found at the hardware store or WalMart...a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer that also measures humidity. The dimmer switch is usually less than $10 and the thermometer is less than $15.

The aspen bedding should NOT look wet...at all. And all wastes should be cleaned up as soon as feasible. While the snake is in the healing process, I would take the aspen out and replace it with clean newspaper or paper towels. With those, it's very easy to see if the snake has left a mess. You can spritz the paper/bedding when misting the cage, but it should never, ever be soggy.

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wouldnt the paper towel/newpaper substrate provide very little seperation from the glass thus making it hotter?

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Originally Posted by Trey Yeoman

wouldnt the paper towel/newpaper substrate provide very little seperation from the glass thus making it hotter?

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That would depend on how many layers you put down over the heat. But no matter what you use, your snake can and will get underneath it and snuggle up against that heated glass. It really is imperative that you get control of it asap.

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Originally Posted by JLC

That would depend on how many layers you put down over the heat. But no matter what you use, your snake can and will get underneath it and snuggle up against that heated glass. It really is imperative that you get control of it asap.

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[dang!]
It's impossible to just ask my mom for money, because she doesn't have it... of course, neither does my father. And I pay for my own stuff... I guess I am going to have to ask to borrow money from someone... idk who but i will figure it out... I dont get paid till wednesday so... *sigh*

This is the one I use, works pretty well so far:

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CBoQ8wIwAg#

Until you can buy a dimmer or thermostat to control your heat pad at least raise your tank up off of it so your snake doesn't get any more damage. Put something half an inch thick under each corner of the tank. This will allow your tank to be a little cooler for now.

Here is another inexpensive thermostat that a lot of people like:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

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Originally Posted by wax32

Until you can buy a dimmer or thermostat to control your heat pad at least raise your tank up off of it so your snake doesn't get any more damage. Put something half an inch thick under each corner of the tank. This will allow your tank to be a little cooler for now.

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That won't work if the pad is attached directly to the tank. But if he can separate the heater from the tank, putting space between it and the glass will help.

Ultimately, Trey, it is your responsibility and your decision about what you will do. All we can do is tell you what needs to be done and offer suggestions on how to do it in as economical way as possible. Any pet you take on requires money for upkeep and it would be a good idea to build up a savings account for emergencies and for upgrading critical supplies as you can.

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Originally Posted by JLC

That won't work if the pad is attached directly to the tank.

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Ah yeah, I forget that some people stick them on the tank. Sorry!