Feeling Disssresspected.

Red lights are not an issue if used properly, but that’s my personal opinion. I have never had any issues what so ever using them. In fact when coupled with a proper dimmer, bulbs can literally last years. But I digress, it would be nice to see pictures to offer proper help.

I'm not really sure how to go about posting images via mobile but here's an attempt, they are on my profile gallery as well..
yea didn't work lol, I put URLs but they didn't upload..
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery//sh...mageuser=64869

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery//sh...mageuser=64869

I think I have the exact same ceramic hide in with my adult male clown. Based on that, I'd say you have a 3 foot snake or so. Can't guess grams as I'm an Imperial guy (ounces only!).

You need to 1: lose that cactus; 2 get a second hide on the cool side; and 3 get a smaller hide on the warm side. That ceramic one is too big for him. He'll feel more comfortable in something tighter.

You can get something at Walmart or even the dollar store. Any opaque plastic container (I use Tupperware) will work.

I have a log hide, now the people, (pardon but no other way to describe the people in that Facebook group) where saying that those can mold overtime an can be a home to mites, also I manually mist her everyday.

I am going to agree with others here that you have some husbandry issues. So did I when I began this journey. I am fairly new to the hobby, I have had my first BP almost a year. I have gotten some really good advice here, have taken it, and my snakes are thriving as a result. Here are some of the things I am seeing that could be a potential issue.

1. I think that the red light is ok, but a CHE would be better. It should be on a thermostat or dimmer

2. The heat pad HAS to have a thermostat.

3. What do your temps and humidity look like and how are you measuring them? Are you holding a basking spot of 88-90 and cool side ambient of 80 year round with just the red bulb? Is you humidity staying at 50-60%

4. An adult female definitely needs to be on bigger food. My girl is almost 400g and eating small rats at this point. I would think at 4 your snake would be minimum twice that size? If so 2 mice is not enough food. If that is all she has been getting all along she may not be growing as she should.

5. ETA: aspen bedding is ok, but I hove found it impossible to get the humidity up where I need it with aspen.

6. You need 2 smaller hides, one for the cool side and one for the hot side.

I appreciate all the helpful information and tips from you all. I plan on doing a checkup with her with my local expert in general as I've done every year now that it's finally warming up here in NY.. An i will do what i can to help improve the home an i shall give updates when i can

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Originally Posted by grovyle111

I have a log hide, now the people, (pardon but no other way to describe the people in that Facebook group) where saying that those can mold overtime an can be a home to mites, also I manually mist her everyday.

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This is true. Many things sold for the keeping of reptiles are sold because they "look" like a good idea, but in reality best case is they are just junk. Worst case they can hurt the animal. Stick on humidity gauges are one of the biggest offenders in that category.

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Originally Posted by grovyle111

I appreciate all the helpful information and tips from you all. I plan on doing a checkup with her with my local expert in general as I've done every year now that it's finally warming up here in NY.. An i will do what i can to help improve the home an i shall give updates when i can

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Please keep in mind that there are no experts. I have around 100 BPs and have been keeping reptiles for the majority of my life, but there are still things I don't know. The combined knowledge of the people on this board is very, very extensive. It is absolutely the best resource on ball pythons available however many of us long time keepers and breeders come here to discriminate knowledge because there is always something going on that has not been discussed.

I don't know about anything else since you do not post any details or pictures but that right here

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get a controlled heat pad even though the one I have is like a little square one that you get in those starter kits of them

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is a BIG issue, if your UTH is not controlled not matter what the size it MUST be even if you were lucky until now you will at some point run out of luck.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

I don't know about anything else since you do not post any details or pictures but that right here is a BIG issue, if your UTH is not controlled not matter what the size it MUST be even if you were lucky until now you will at some point run out of luck.

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I've used that same pad on her since I've had the tank, it's a very low heat output, like absolute bare minimum, she doesnt have any burns on her sides or belly at all.