Ball acting very weird...

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

they should shed in the first week or so after hatching so this probably isn't her first.

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Oh OK. Gotcha. But how's my husbandry? Any cause for concern?

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Originally Posted by Hunkycorn

Oh OK. Gotcha. But how's my husbandry? Any cause for concern?

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The Serpent Merchant:

does the heat pad have a thermostat and how are you measuring temps?

as others have said Shedding is very stressful so that could be why but your hot side temperature is too low

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

does the heat pad have a thermostat and how are you measuring temps?

as others have said Shedding is very stressful so that could be why but your hot side temperature is too low

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I have a digital thermometer on each side of the enclosure. And no, I don't have a thermostat, but I think the package said up to 90f.

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Originally Posted by Hunkycorn

I have a digital thermometer on each side of the enclosure. And no, I don't have a thermostat, but I think the package said up to 90f.

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UTH's must have a thermostat. Do the thermometers have a probes?

the hot side needs to be between 88 and 92 degrees, and the cool side needs to be between 78 and 82 degrees.

The humidity should be between 40% and 60% normally and between 60% and 80% during shed.

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Originally Posted by Slim

Your BP doesn't have any Spider genetics, does it?

You say this is your BP's first shed cycle? You mean the first shed with you, right? If She's still a young BP, the type of behavior you describe isn't really very far out of the norm.

Keep an eye on her for a couple of days and monitor her for signs of stress. You might want to give her some time to settle down after her next shed.

Good luck.

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I wouldn't know about her genetics. As far as I know she's the standard old ball. What would that have to do with it? Are there morph specific health problems?

You need a thermostat for the heating pad. Your humidity is low because you are using a lamp, they suck all moisture out no matter how much you mist, it's very annoying. I would recommend getting a humid hide to compensate. All you need is a tupperware with a lid. Cut a hole in the lid and put some sphagnum moss (available at any pet store) in the bottom of the tupperware. Mist the moss and keep it moist, but not sopping, and your snake can retreat in there for her shed cycle. I had PERFECT sheds as soon as I introduced the humid hide, and mine will actually stay in there for the full duration of her shed cycle, almost two weeks and not move. For that reason, it is a good idea if the humid hide is not in the coldest part of the enclosure, but on the warm end, or at least in the middle. I also mist during the shed cycle, even if she is in the humid hide.

My snake's first shed with me was also in pieces. Drove me insane. If the last part of the shed doesn't come off on its own soon, you will need to soak her. There is a sticky on how to soak under the husbandry thread, I believe.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

UTH's must have a thermostat. Do the thermometers have a probes?

the hot side needs to be between 88 and 92 degrees, and the cool side needs to be between 78 and 82 degrees.

The humidity should be between 40% and 60% normally and between 60% and 80% during shed.

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I didn't know that. About how much would I be able to pick one up for, and what would be an optimum setting? Sorry bout all the "??????'s". Thanks for helping me out tho.

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Originally Posted by Emily Hubbard

You need a thermostat for the heating pad. Your humidity is low because you are using a lamp, they suck all moisture out no matter how much you mist, it's very annoying. I would recommend getting a humid hide to compensate. All you need is a tupperware with a lid. Cut a hole in the lid and put some sphagnum moss (available at any pet store) in the bottom of the tupperware. Mist the moss and keep it moist, but not sopping, and your snake can retreat in there for her shed cycle. I had PERFECT sheds as soon as I introduced the humid hide, and mine will actually stay in there for the full duration of her shed cycle, almost two weeks and not move. For that reason, it is a good idea if the humid hide is not in the coldest part of the enclosure, but on the warm end, or at least in the middle. I also mist during the shed cycle, even if she is in the humid hide.

My snake's first shed with me was also in pieces. Drove me insane. If the last part of the shed doesn't come off on its own soon, you will need to soak her. There is a sticky on how to soak under the husbandry thread, I believe.

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Awesome. I'll rig one up asap. THX!

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Originally Posted by Hunkycorn

I didn't know that. About how much would I be able to pick one up for, and what would be an optimum setting? Sorry bout all the "??????'s". Thanks for helping me out tho.

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It's no problem at all

There are a few good ones on the market.

for $30 you can get this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR..._bxgy_ol_img_b

These cost more $99 + (depending on the mode) but work much better (these are what I use)

http://spyderrobotics.com/

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Originally Posted by Hunkycorn

I mist many times throughout the day but humidity still won't exceed 40-50%, and it drops very quickly.

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With your set-up, which is fairly common, you'll always have a hard time with humidity. Your heat lamp is killing it every time you turn it on. Also, if you're using a screen top and it's completely open, you'll never be able to maintain it. Try covering 2/3rds of the screen top with plastic wrap. That will help some. Honestly, a properly maintained BP enclosure doesn't require much if any misting.