Terrarium Branches...

I agree - watch out for that unregulated UTH. unplug it immediately and check your snake over for any burns.

As a test I had my ZooMed 10-20 gallon UTH unregulated and in less then 4 hours it went up to 138F. I use the Reptitemp 500r Thermostat and it works great for small scale setups.

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Originally Posted by Sarin

I agree - watch out for that unregulated UTH. unplug it immediately and check your snake over for any burns.

As a test I had my ZooMed 10-20 gallon UTH unregulated and in less then 4 hours it went up to 138F. I use the Reptitemp 500r Thermostat and it works great for small scale setups.

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Thanks for the heads up.
Even though the UTH has been on there for months there seems to be zero burns on my snake. Her belly is as white since I got her. I do check the temperature weekly just in case but it never seemed to pass 93. I have to agree that the bulb may have been a bit much but I assure you that there are no burns whats so ever on the snake.
I take her out daily and check her.

I have unplugged it as of now and I will be purchasing a rheostat.

So to get this straight.
I plug the UTH in the rheostat then the rheostat into the wall correct?

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Originally Posted by ralphdp21

So to get this straight.
I plug the UTH in the rheostat then the rheostat into the wall correct?

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that is correct. just keep an eye on your temps. it also helps to use a pen or marker to mark your rheo settings...


Rob

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Your ball python is over active because his hides are not adequate. I do not believe that half log hides are beneficial to BPs as they usually result in a stressed snake.

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Umm, they are adequate. If you have one end against the glass with bedding between the log and the glass, and bedding stuffed into the hide, the snake will fit snugly and happily.

Also, my bp climbs a lot during the night when I stay up till the AMs.

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Originally Posted by abuja

Umm, they are adequate. If you have one end against the glass with bedding between the log and the glass, and bedding stuffed into the hide, the snake will fit snugly and happily.

Also, my bp climbs a lot during the night when I stay up till the AMs.

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90% of the time when you change from log hides to "rock cave" hides, the snake stops all cruising. This is because they feel more SAFE in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

90% of the time when you change from log hides to "rock cave" hides, the snake stops all cruising. This is because they feel more SAFE in my opinion.

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i concur...

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

90% of the time when you change from log hides to "rock cave" hides, the snake stops all cruising. This is because they feel more SAFE in my opinion.

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The same thing happened to my bp when I got rid of her half logs for caves.

Oh. Well all I know (he's my first snake) is that he cruises from midnight till about 5 am (i've pulled some late nighters :P) then heads back into his half log. Actually, for his birthday (november) im planning on getting him a new home, and new decor, but maybe I'll get him a snake cave sooner than that! Next time I'm in petsmart I'll pick him up one and tell him he was born in august instead :D lol. Thanks!

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Originally Posted by abuja

Oh. Well all I know (he's my first snake) is that he cruises from midnight till about 5 am (i've pulled some late nighters :P) then heads back into his half log. Actually, for his birthday (november) im planning on getting him a new home, and new decor, but maybe I'll get him a snake cave sooner than that! Next time I'm in petsmart I'll pick him up one and tell him he was born in august instead :D lol. Thanks!

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lol that made me laugh. but yea I constantly pull all nighters and she just loves to slither around. I'll sometimes find her wrapped up on the branch as if she's an amazon boa, lol. I don't know, but its almost as if she's happy cruising around and not because she stressed. But obviously i don't know just my opinion.

By the way is this thermostat/hydrometer any good? $7.00 at Wal-Mart:
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/3982/img0026d.jpg

I had thought the same thing when I first brought my BP home, I had one rock cave and one half log, and my BP would cruise all night long. I didn't realize this was stress until I replaced the two hides with new caves, now when he is content he pokes out of his hide, almost like he knows this will get me to open his cage so he can explore a bit.

It seems like in your case he might be a bit insecure. Slithering all night seems to me that the snake isn't comfortable and secure in the cage, so it is constantly moving. Some activity and cruising during the night is more typical than never stopping of course.

However, I keep a "flexible" branch in his tank, spanning the entire length. The only time he uses this is when he is in "hunt mode" and this is my key to know that he is hungry. He will sit on top and smell through the screen, since I defrost mice on top of his cage. It doesn't mean he "likes" climbing, but he does it when hes hunting, so I will always put one in his cage.


BTW The thermometer looks fine. Just make sure you have a reading on temperature for the other end of the tank.
Just my two cents.