keeps burrowing. normal?

Hey guys my names Justin. I got my first snake two days ago and I have noticed that he spends a lot of time burrowing in the substrate. The temp and humidity in his tank is usually spot on at 85° and 60% the substrate is eco earth. Thanks guys,
Justin.

How are you measuring temps? You should have a hot spot of 90 and a cool spot. Ball pythons do sometimes burrow, but if your temps are too cool, it may be trying to get closer to the UTH, if you are using a UTH. More info could help us, mainly how your are heating, controlling heat, and measuring temps.

Give this a read, it sounds like your temps aren't quite right: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

Im using a two lamp set up(day/night). I have a digital thermometer to measure the temp. I have a cool side and warm side set up with a cool hide on one side and a hot on the other. I guess I should bump up the heat on the warm side?

What type of bulbs are you using? and does the temperature drop at night?

the Hot side temperature should be between 88 & 92 degrees 24/7 and the cool side temperature should be between 78 & 82 degrees 24/7

No part of the cage should ever get below 75 or above 95 degrees.

These infrared bulbs are great and can be used 24/7 with out messing with your snakes day/night cycle

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...uctId=11147193

You shouldn't be using lamps. They don't provide a BP the type of heat it needs. Buy a UTH or "Heat pad". Make sure it is on a tstat though or else it will cook your snake. BPs don't need a photocycle either.

Be sure not to simply bump up the temps whenever. Make sure you're doing everything else right before.

TSM: Nooo don't link to IT......

I have a infrared bulb and a blue day bulb they came as a combo kit I purchased at petsmart. Just checked. His temps and its 90 on the warm side and 82 cool. He is in the cool hide right now. Thanks for the help guys as you can tell im a complete novice haha.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by apple2

You shouldn't be using lamps. They don't provide a BP the type of heat it needs. Buy a UTH or "Heat pad". Make sure it is on a tstat though or else it will cook your snake. BPs don't need a photocycle either.

Be sure not to simply bump up the temps whenever. Make sure you're doing everything else right before.

TSM: Nooo don't link to IT......

---

I'm really sick of hearing that heat lamps don't provide "the right type of heat" the only advantage of UTH's is that they don't kill the tanks humidity. Heat lamps heat the substrate just as much as any UTH can. humidity issues aside I feel the heat lamps are much safer than UTH, especially for new owners. I think that unless a UTH is on a good proportional thermostat they shouldn't be used, and most beginners are not willing to put out that kind of cash.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by apple2

You shouldn't be using lamps. They don't provide a BP the type of heat it needs. Buy a UTH or "Heat pad". Make sure it is on a tstat though or else it will cook your snake. BPs don't need a photocycle either.

Be sure not to simply bump up the temps whenever. Make sure you're doing everything else right before.

TSM: Nooo don't link to IT......

---

Explain the advising against using lights?? Pythons do not need belly heat like iguana's or other herps.

To the op get your light right and you will be on track. You don't need a 2 light set up.. A night heat bulb will suffice

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I'm really sick of hearing that heat lamps don't provide "the right type of heat" the only advantage of UTH's is that they don't kill the tanks humidity. Heat lamps heat the substrate just as much as any UTH can. humidity issues aside I feel the heat lamps are much safer than UTH, especially for new owners. I think that unless a UTH is on a good proportional thermostat they shouldn't be used, and most beginners are not willing to put out that kind of cash.

---

I agree, I have that kind of cash, damn I went out and dropped another 400 today for a QT tank for my lesser.. Never mind the 350 for the snake, I just at all this point in time don't feel the need to add a uht and thermostat, once I set up my T10 then I will forsure but few for now I have a great set up for a glass tank holding 40-60% humidity with lights

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I'm really sick of hearing that heat lamps don't provide "the right type of heat" the only advantage of UTH's is that they don't kill the tanks humidity. Heat lamps heat the substrate just as much as any UTH can. humidity issues aside I feel the heat lamps are much safer than UTH, especially for new owners. I think that unless a UTH is on a good proportional thermostat they shouldn't be used, and most beginners are not willing to put out that kind of cash.

---

You can get a good thermostat for under 100 bucks. I'm actually on the other side of the heat lamp argument. Many people don't think its necessary to put the lamps on a thermostat. I stopped using heat lamps after I realized that they don't mix well with hides. Rock hides act as a thermal conductor, sending in-hide temps over 100. Paper hides can catch on fire. Plastic hides smell if exposed to that type of heat. UTH provide a more gradual warming, therefore making them safer IF USED PROPERLY.

I'm gonna end this right here. Everyone's entitled to their opinions, but let's stay on topic.

Thanks guys. I will be changing his light set up tomorrow.

Back on the OP's issue, temps are WAY too high. Cool side is about what the warm side should be. Bring the temps to the level mentioned in earlier posts. She might be burrowing because the substrate provides cover from the lights? If you were using under-tank it would be to get warmer, but because the heat is coming from above I'd say it's switched around...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by apple2

Back on the OP's issue, temps are WAY too high. Cool side is about what the warm side should be.

---

What are you talking about?

Quote:

---

its 90 on the warm side and 82 cool.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by apple2

You can get a good thermostat for under 100 bucks. I'm actually on the other side of the heat lamp argument. Many people don't think its necessary to put the lamps on a thermostat. I stopped using heat lamps after I realized that they don't mix well with hides. Rock hides act as a thermal conductor, sending in-hide temps over 100. Paper hides can catch on fire. Plastic hides smell if exposed to that type of heat. UTH provide a more gradual warming, therefore making them safer IF USED PROPERLY.

I'm gonna end this right here. Everyone's entitled to their opinions, but let's stay on topic.

---

I still say you are wrong.

I have a probe inside my hot side hide with temps sitting at 93.6 as I type this.. I also have some damp moss in there bam humid hot side holding at 55% so with the right bulb and set up its perfect

Do you think in the BP's native habitat temps NEVER get above 95..... They do and the snake moves.

Crap I read your temps wrong. Ignore previous statement. I'm gonna go to bed before I screw up anyone's BPs... Amazing what sleep deprivation can do to a guy.

Anyway, hope your problem gets solved. Sorry for the wrong numbers, slapping myself for being so stupid :weirdface

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by apple2

You can get a good thermostat for under 100 bucks. I'm actually on the other side of the heat lamp argument. Many people don't think its necessary to put the lamps on a thermostat. I stopped using heat lamps after I realized that they don't mix well with hides. Rock hides act as a thermal conductor, sending in-hide temps over 100. Paper hides can catch on fire. Plastic hides smell if exposed to that type of heat. UTH provide a more gradual warming, therefore making them safer IF USED PROPERLY.

I'm gonna end this right here. Everyone's entitled to their opinions, but let's stay on topic.

---

I will say this and be done as well:

most people aren't willing to spend $99 on a thermostat right out of the gate (show me a proportional thermostat for less than that)

I agree that UTH's are better when used properly, but most people do not use them properly. to use a UTH properly you need a proportional thermostat, and a thin substrate. you cannot safely provide the proper temps with a UTH if you have a thick layer of substrate as the bottom of the cage will be far too hot.

When I see people come on this site with a bad set up, it is much better in my eyes when they have temps that are slightly off because of a heat lamp or low humidity. vs an unregulated UTH, that unregulated UTH can very easily kill their snake. I have yet to hear of a heat lamp killing a BP.

further those dial type thermometers that everyone seems to use at first are absolutely useless when it comes to UTH's as UTH's do not affect the air temperature in the cage. (not to say that those things work anyway) This is just another issue that new owners have with UTH.

All in all I agree that UTH's are better, but they require an experienced keeper to make sure that everything is working properly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by apple2

Crap I read your temps wrong. Ignore previous statement. I'm gonna go to bed before I screw up anyone's BPs... Amazing what sleep deprivation can do to a guy.

Anyway, hope your problem gets solved. Sorry for the wrong numbers, slapping myself for being so stupid :weirdface

---

lol, we've all been there before.

I would like to add that in no way was any of what I have said in this thread been a personal attack on you. Simply a difference of opinion.

I know, no hard feelings. Anyway, I'm out. Bye guys!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by apple2

Rock hides act as a thermal conductor, sending in-hide temps over 100. Paper hides can catch on fire. Plastic hides smell if exposed to that type of heat.

---

Just how close are you sticking this lamp to your hides? I used a lamp back when I still had a glass tank, and I never cooked a hide...

Your Question my snake burrow? I have one BP who loves to burrow in his EcoEarth under his water dish no Idea why he just likes it there. My Husbandry is spot on so I would say some snakes jsut like to burrow. :D