New Ball Python

My son got a baby ball python from Petco, my husband checked him out and said he looked fine. My husband worked at a local mom and pop pet store for about 10 years before we were married. Any way the snake has been fine, we have had him almost two full weeks. He is in a 40 long, bark substrate, UTH, cermic heat emmiter, 2 hides, and a humidity box. The cage stays about 85-90 on the hot side during the day, cage humity is at about 35%. Humidy box is at 95%. This snake is active during the day and evening. WHen my son lies in bed he will tape on the glass wanting out.
:confused: So here is my question: My son thinks he sneezed today, could it be a hiss? He does not act as if he is sick. Also he is handled daily and very friendly.

forgot to add he eats frozen hoppers and has eaten twice.

Welcome to BP.net :colbert2:

Are you hearing any clicking noises when the snake breaths, or snot bubbles in nostrils? Or open mouth breathing?

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Originally Posted by llovelace

Welcome to BP.net :colbert2:

Are you hearing any clicking noises when the snake breaths, or snot bubbles in nostrils? Or open mouth breathing?

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No he said that he just thought that he sneezed. I hold him all the time and he has only yawned for me.

Well, I can tell you right now that the ceramic heat emitter is what's causing you to have low humidity.

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Originally Posted by Teclis

Well, I can tell you right now that the ceramic heat emitter is what's causing you to have low humidity.

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All that I have read said to use a cermic heat emitter. Is this not right?

Usually snakes will sneeze if they just dipped their head in water while getting a drink of water, so that may most likely be what you heard. My Kingsnake usually dips his entire face in his dish whenever I fill it up with new water so he does sneeze it out from time to time:P.

Thanks so much, I will keep an eye, and ear, on him.

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Originally Posted by tsy72001

All that I have read said to use a cermic heat emitter. Is this not right?

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You can use them, I use one, there are just extra things you have to do to keep the humidity up if you do use them. First off, how are you measuring the humidity? If you're using the little analogue gauges throw them out and get an acurite digital thermometer/hygrometer. Now what's your humidity measure at? Still too low, then cover about 2/3 of the screen lid with aluminum foil. That will trap in the humidity and likely completely solve the problem. If after covering with foil it's still too low, you'll have to mist the enclosure every day.

We have a digital thermometer/hygrometer. I will try to upload a pic of the setup. Most of the top is covered. I will get pics and be back in a minute.

Ok here are links to the setup and a few pics of him.
http://members.cox.net/tsy72001/Snake/DSCF1502.JPG
http://members.cox.net/tsy72001/Snake/Beaux.jpg
http://members.cox.net/tsy72001/Snake/DSCF1498.JPG
http://members.cox.net/tsy72001/Snake/DSCF1499.JPG
http://members.cox.net/tsy72001/Snake/DSCF1500.JPG
http://members.cox.net/tsy72001/Snake/DSCF1501.JPG

Good looking little guy:gj:
Though that is a 20L;)

You can move the water bowl so that part of it is sitting on the heat pad and that will help up your humidity

Thanks, the tank is a 40. He has plenty of room to grow.

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Originally Posted by tsy72001

Thanks, the tank is a 40. He has plenty of room to grow.

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didnt notice it in the 4th pic but is is a deeper tank.:oops:
Thats A LOT of room for a little guy

Make sure you clutter it well or he might feel insecure

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk

One important thing about balls is they are very shy--For a tank as big as yours, make sure there are no big open areas! A small tank would need two hides, for a small bp in a 40 gal I would give him a few extra. Big tanks can be okay for ball pythons, but they need a lot of extra work to make sure the snakes aren't stressed! When looking at the tank, imagine this is the snake in the wild avoiding predators.. Any open areas probably won't feel safe for him! So make the tank "safe" In as many places as possible :)

The boys have put a pot in there and he loves to hide behind it, they also have 2 hides, humidity box and a water bowl. There is not much "floor" space left. Also when my son is in the room the snake will tap on the glass wanting out.