I need help with my ball python

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Originally Posted by Twizlerz

I already have the corn snake. The only heat source he has is another 20W ferplast heat mat, even he avoids it even though the dial reads about 70F

I put my hand in the vivarium, the air is cold and the snake is freezing to the touch.

Look I don't really care anymore. I'm just going to give them very simple basic needs until I get rid of them, clearly I'm not meant for this crap.

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Why should he be attracted by a 70F "hotspot"? You need to provide ~88F.. Whats the temperature directly under the heat emitter?

I think you should care, this animal is going to get sick or even die if you don't fix the temperatures right away.

Okay I have done a check with a dial on both sides of the viv.

The hot side reads 90F (directly under heat emitter)
The cool side reads 70F

are these temperatures good for a ball python ??

I guess it's true, I was making it too hard for myself.
I am still confused on why he won't use his hides though or why he won't eat. I'm growing worried, I hate starving animals :/

70 is low for the cool side temperature 78-82 would be better but as long as he has a 90 degree hot side you should be ok.

Temperatures rule all in the snake world. BP's won't eat if they don't have the proper temperatures. BP's can go literally months with out eating so your snake isn't starving yet.

Not using the hides could be a symptom of temperatures, or a few other things.

how big are the hides in relation to he BP?

You want them to feel snug in them

like so:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/21819934.jpg

What can I do to raise the temperatures on the cool side?
I think the vivarium is a little too big for my ball python.

Right now I am using plant pots as hides (which I cut in half) but they are not very stable as they are plastic. He should be able to fit in snuggly but I think it represents too much of a half log hide and I think he feels exposed :/

it's opening is 8inches in diameter and it's about 7 and a half inches deep.

I am thinking of transferring him back to his old tub again until I can get a thermostat.
My digital Thermometers/hygrometers should be here soon, I ordered them about 2days ago.

Any good affordable brands for thermostats?
Habistat is a little expensive for my tastes but I know it's the best brand there is.

The easiest way to bump up the cool side temperature is with a low wattage heat bulb

a 50 watt infrared bulb would work nicely.

You said that your cage is 4x2x1 correct? That is the exact same size cage I use so you should be ok.

Your hides sound like they are a little big, but should work for now.

Some good advice here. I would like to add that this type of set up usually runs low on humidity. I like to run 60 to 70% humidity in the cage and 70% or higher in the hides (one cool hide, one warm hide). Some good materials to increase humidity are: Unglazed pottery, tree bark (like the product Reptibark), paper towels, and sponges. I'll use anything from a light, cool mist from a spray bottle to soaking material with hot water, depending on how much I need to increase humidity. Good luck!

I know this is hard for you. And not having all the things we in America take for granted only makes it harder.

Right now, you really are stressing yourself out and being way too hard on yourself. You don't want to know how awful a keeper I was when I got started. I shudder to think of it now. I don't know how I didn't kill that poor snake.

One step at a time is the way to go. I know you have already devoted a lot of time and money, and like I was then, you have had it. But, if you make up your mind to see this through, you can be a successful ball python owner.

First thing is the temps. Like it or not, you need a good thermometer to measure them, and a good thermostat to regulate them. Do be aware that what feels warm to you is not a good method to use, because your body temperature is about 98. Even in your hands it is about 95, and that is excessively warm for a ball. Once you get the temperatures stabilized, then you can focus on hides. Depending on the snake, sometimes three or four hides are not a bad idea.

Once the temps and hides are good, then you can move on to feeding. By the time you get the temperatures and hides right, chances are he will be more willing to eat. Can you do live or only f/t ? If live is an option, that might help. The reason you would cover the entire viv is to help him de-stress and relax a little. You can do it for a few days to a week, or longer if he needs it. Just peek in at him once a day and leave him alone unless he needs water.

I sincerely wish you the best, I hope you will give keeping this ball another try.

Gale

Quote:

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Originally Posted by angllady2

I know this is hard for you. And not having all the things we in America take for granted only makes it harder.

Right now, you really are stressing yourself out and being way too hard on yourself. You don't want to know how awful a keeper I was when I got started. I shudder to think of it now. I don't know how I didn't kill that poor snake.

One step at a time is the way to go. I know you have already devoted a lot of time and money, and like I was then, you have had it. But, if you make up your mind to see this through, you can be a successful ball python owner.

First thing is the temps. Like it or not, you need a good thermometer to measure them, and a good thermostat to regulate them. Do be aware that what feels warm to you is not a good method to use, because your body temperature is about 98. Even in your hands it is about 95, and that is excessively warm for a ball. Once you get the temperatures stabilized, then you can focus on hides. Depending on the snake, sometimes three or four hides are not a bad idea.

Once the temps and hides are good, then you can move on to feeding. By the time you get the temperatures and hides right, chances are he will be more willing to eat. Can you do live or only f/t ? If live is an option, that might help. The reason you would cover the entire viv is to help him de-stress and relax a little. You can do it for a few days to a week, or longer if he needs it. Just peek in at him once a day and leave him alone unless he needs water.

I sincerely wish you the best, I hope you will give keeping this ball another try.

Gale

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For now I am going to transfer him back to his tub and leave him alone for a few weeks. I still need to waterproof varnish his vivarium anyway. It's about 10am here and I am going to the petshop to pick up a live mouse see whether or not he is interested in it or not. The last time I fed him was a live mouse so I am hoping he will eat this one as well. If he does, I'll keep him on live mice.


Thank you guys for the advice and help :) I really appreciate it. I apologize for the swearing and my bad temper but you can imagine how stressful this all is for me. Snakes are so fragile :/

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know that I just bought two live mice and as soon as I placed them in his cage, he instant went for it and killed it.

It seems like my ball python only takes live food

I am a little relieved now that I know my snake is eating ^^

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Twizlerz

What can I do to raise the temperatures on the cool side?
I think the vivarium is a little too big for my ball python.

Right now I am using plant pots as hides (which I cut in half) but they are not very stable as they are plastic. He should be able to fit in snuggly but I think it represents too much of a half log hide and I think he feels exposed :/

it's opening is 8inches in diameter and it's about 7 and a half inches deep.

I am thinking of transferring him back to his old tub again until I can get a thermostat.
My digital Thermometers/hygrometers should be here soon, I ordered them about 2days ago.

Any good affordable brands for thermostats?
Habistat is a little expensive for my tastes but I know it's the best brand there is.

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I had issues with raising the cold side in the glass tank I was keeping my first BP in, and I had just spent all this money on a rack that hadnt come yet.. My solution: plastic wrap and a towel (away from any heat source). Its temporary, but it raised his temp about 10 degrees.. anyway just a thought.