burn marks on my BP, Maybe.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/etu8unu8.jpg
Ok, hey guys and gals.
this is what's going on.
Substrate is napkins.
Heat pad is on a UTH thermostat.
Heat lamp on and on right tempature. I have a temp on left side (with heat pad and heat lamp) temp at 90-93..
then right side is just open and temp is on 80.
Humidity is always at 60-70.
Dexter (BP) is under a little cave/rock (not heat rock) and right next to him is a large water bowl.

Can you give me info on what I'm doing wrong and what's up with dexter?
I'm really worried, as im first time BP owner. or snakes in general.

TIA. appreciate the help.

i would suggest just going right to the vet with him, seriously dehydrated, excessive stuck sheds, and if they are not burns looks like he is literally tearing apart from being to dehydrated.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jcoylesr76

i would suggest just going right to the vet with him, seriously dehydrated, excessive stuck sheds, and if they are not burns looks like he is literally tearing apart from being to dehydrated.

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x2!!!!!
Get it to the vet NOW

Also is it a thermometer or THERMOSTAT!

What are you measuring your temps with and what kind of thermostat are you using?

That is a severe burn. Unplug your heating pad now and get your snake to a vet first thing in the morning.

The bad shed is from lack of humidity. There is no way that your humidity is 60-70 if he's that dry and peeling.

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I have a zoomed thermostat(hot side)
And a thermometer. -rigght(cold side)


and seriously? dehydrated?! there is ALWAYS water in its bowl. at one point I had an extra water bowl inside its cave. which I just took out cause he's getting to big. man oh man. ;(

Do you have a thermometer to tell the hot side of the tank?

Im sorry, but things aren't adding up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by klcanales92

I have a zoomed thermostat(hot side)
And a thermometer. -rigght(cold side)


and seriously? dehydrated?! there is ALWAYS water in its bowl. at one point I had an extra water bowl inside its cave. which I just took out cause he's getting to big. man oh man. ;(

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Why are you not measuring both sides with a thermometer? A thermostat shouldn't be used to measure temps. It regulated temps. But just because its set to certain temp doesn't mean that's the temp in the enclosure.

And zoomed thermostats are very inaccurate and unreliable. The fail rate is pretty high.
A thermostat is a tool that you shouldn't cheap out on. Its the most important piece of equipment any snake keeper has. I recommend investing in a Herpstat. The base model starts at $99. Or if you're on a budget, get a Hydrofarm from Amazon for $30 at the very very least. But what you pay is what you get.



Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

yes, I have a digital thermostat going inside on the hot side usually around 90-93.

Thermometer on the cold side. always stays around 80.

Humidity meter is in the middle, keeping it at 60-65.

;(

I'm fairly certain that zoomed only has rheostats, but I could be wrong.

Which is it. A thermostat or a thermometer?

A thermostat probe NEVER goes into the terrarium.

Did you plug your heat mat into a thermostat then plug the thermostat into the wall?

Or does the heat pad go directly into the wall.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/sa9u7udu.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/4umy9uzy.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/vy5u6ybu.jpg

my set up.
Heat is a little low now. lowered it. lowered the heat pad and opened it up.
current humidity is at 70.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/yteraqup.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/u4e6utyj.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/e6yty3eq.jpg
Heat pad going into thermostat which is set at 98. (On here they told me to leave it a little high, has to hit the glass then substrate and finally hits the snake, which should be a little lower, keeping it at around low 90's)
Then as shows in second picture where I'm holding the little wire which goes inside and in the cave right by the heat pad, where it'll get the heat inside the cave. I hope it's all right. but obviously not, cause he's burned. ;(

You don't put the thermostat probe inside the cage. It's supposed to be OUTSIDE ontop of the heat pad.

By having it inside the tank, you're basically setting the heat pad to heat the probe up to 98. So your snake has been sitting on WAY too hot of temperatures.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

You don't put the thermostat probe inside the cage. It's supposed to be OUTSIDE ontop of the heat pad.

By having it inside the tank, you're basically setting the heat pad to heat the probe up to 98. So your snake has been sitting on WAY too hot of temperatures.

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wait, I'm sorry I'm confused. Where outside is it suppose to be? I have the heat pad on the under outside portion of the cage. NOT inside the tank, so your saying the probe is suppose to be under outside the the tank? sorry, just seems a little off. the probe is suppose to measure the temp INSIDE the tank isn't it, It's inside the cave and shows how hot it is inside the cave. if I set it at 98(the thermostat) it measures and goes off that, then puts more or less heat on the heatpad then rises up inside the cave. right? main purpose of the probe...if its outside its measuring outside temps not inside.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by klcanales92

wait, I'm sorry I'm confused. Where outside is it suppose to be? I have the heat pad on the under outside portion of the cage. NOT inside the tank, so your saying the probe is suppose to be under outside the the tank? sorry, just seems a little off. the probe is suppose to measure the temp INSIDE the tank isn't it, It's inside the cave and shows how hot it is inside the cave. if I set it at 98(the thermostat) it measures and goes off that, then puts more or less heat inside the cave. right? main purpose of the probe...if its outside its measuring outside temps not inside.

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The thermostat probe is supposed to be outside of the tank, overtop of the heat pad. The probe determines how HOT YOUR HEAT PAD IS GETTING...

Instead of putting the thermostat probe inside the tank, you need a second (and accurate) thermometer inside the tank. Use the thermometer reading to calibrate your thermostat. The thermostat doesn't give an actual temperature reading, but a target temperature to reach.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

The thermostat probe is supposed to be outside of the tank, overtop of the heat pad. The probe determines how HOT YOUR HEAT PAD IS GETTING...

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This is correct. Thermostat probe is outside of the tank. It goes directly on top of the pad under the tank. Plus the probe can be moved or damaged inside the tank by water or urine.

Only the thermometer and hygrometers should go inside the tank.


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Please tell me you're going to the vet TOMORROW. This didn't happen over night, but has to have been going on for awhile for it to actually become an open wound.

Call the vet and explain that it is an emergency. This snake will probably need antibiotics to prevent infection.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/ahery6eq.jpg
this is the probe. Laying down right above the heat pad. the way it's set up.
I'm not trying to question your guys knowledge or anything, just trying to get down to why he's dehydrated.
And yess, ima take em in once I'm out of work.
I appreciate all the info, thank you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by klcanales92

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/ahery6eq.jpg
this is the probe. Laying down right above the heat pad. the way it's set up.
I'm not trying to question your guys knowledge or anything, just trying to get down to why he's dehydrated.
And yess, ima take em in once I'm out of work.
I appreciate all the info, thank you.

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The thermostat probe goes OUTSIDE the enclosure...

The poor thing is covered in stuck shed, which is probably why it's dehydrated

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

The thermostat probe goes OUTSIDE the enclosure...

The poor thing is covered in stuck shed, which is probably why it's dehydrated

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got it. will do, thanks.
and that's what I don't get. I ALWAYS have the humidity up where it's suppose to be. :/ he shed one full half piece.(head >down..half ways) then started shedding again.

Are you using a circular hydrometer or a digital one to measure humidity.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

Are you using a circular hydrometer or a digital one to measure humidity.

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It's just a gauge hydrometer.

Please get him to the vet and follow the advice here to correct your husbandry. That doesn't look like it would develop quickly, poor guy looks like he's been suffering for awhile.

Please please please take him to the vet, his belly could easily become infected.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by klcanales92

It's just a gauge hydrometer.

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And that's why he's not shedding properly. Analogs are not accurate..

I guarantee you that disc humidity gage is very wrong.... Pick up a roll of aluminum tape and secure the probe for your thermostat directly to the heat pad, underneath the tank. This IS how you're supposed to do it..


Go to Walmart, and in the do it yourself section near the tools, paint, etc... Look for the scales and thermometers... Get yourself what's called the Accurite weather station...It's a digital thermometer and hygrometer.
It's a few inches tall, grey, has a probe, and a large screen. $10-$12 max.. Many of here on Bpnet use these. They are great.

THIS is the probe you'll put on the heat pad INSIDE the tank.. Then put the unit itself on the cool side (yes the entire unit goes inside).. The screen will show you the hot side temperature (the probe, and it says outside temp on the screen) and it shows you the cool side temperature (the unit itself reads the cool side temp and calls it the inside temp) AND it give you a digital reading of the humidity..

It IS dehydrated regardless if how much water is in its bowl. Snakes rarely ever drink. They get most of their moisture from their environment and the food they eat. If you're slowly cooking your snake, it will be dehydrated.. Think about when you're sick and have a fever. You could drink a gallon of water a day and still feel dehydrated with dry mouth. That's because that 110 degree fever is burning you up and evaporating water within you.. Same difference, except the heat is not coming from within.

That snake needs to see a vet. Please do not put anything on that wound. That poor ball needs silver sulfadiazene cream and betadine soaks. If you put anything else on that area it will get worse.

Fix you husbandry, fix the snake, and you'll never see these issues again. Leave it like it is and it will be a constant thing.

I would bet that the reason for the two sheds close together was the burn. Snakes will shed more frequently when they are trying to heal a large injury. The burn may also be making it harder for him to stay hydrated...it's a large open wound that he's losing fluids through.

The reason people told you to set the thermostat temp higher than the desired temp is that they were expecting the probe to be outside the enclosure, between the UTH and the glass. If you put the probe inside the enclosure, the UTH will stay on full power until the temp where the probe is reads 98. The problem it compounded if the probe in the enclosure gets moved accidentally, or if it is placed slightly above the substrate. You end up with essentially an unregulated heat source. Remember, the thermostat is only reacting to the temp where the probe actually is.