New ball python owner!

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...759828d6b1.jpg this is my little adventure seeker (: had him going on 4 weeks and he is doing great! We keep the humidity at 45-70% the cool side at 70-75 warm side 82-88.. we use the day light and the night time heat light and under the tank heating pad, but I feel like the heat isn't high enough and suggestions? Thanks! Glad to be here!

<3 My Firefighter Is My Hero <3
SFD-423
Ball python lover

My guess is you arent using digital thermometers and that's why it seems cold. Grab yourself some digital thermometers with probes and you will likely get much higher readings.

If you are using your heat pad without a thermostat, I suggest unplugging it now. Lamps will be fine til you get it straightened out.

Cute snake :)

He seems like quite the explorer!

Can we get pictures of his setup? What are you using to measure those temperatures?

:welcome:

I have a thermometer on the heating pad and it reads 80 and we are moving the tank tonight cause it is in front of a door we don't use so I think that may be a case of the cold too.. also, I think he is getting ready to shed, but I can't tell he has had the pink belly on and off for a few days, but no clouding and his scales are getting kinda rough.. we use aspen shavings

<3 My Firefighter Is My Hero <3
SFD-423
Ball python lover

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...6d813a10f0.jpg that's the best picture I have and I am using the thermometer that came in the starter kit from the pet store

<3 My Firefighter Is My Hero <3
SFD-423
Ball python lover

The thermometer you have doesn't look like it will measure surface temps. You need a digital thermometer with a probe to see the temp the snake is experiencing right on top of the heat pad. You can still use that one for ambient air temps.

Welcome to the addiction of ball pythons and the forums. Beautiftul snake. The cool side is a little low and the hot side is as well. Usually you want the cool side to be in the 80s and the hot side to gradually increase to around 90 or so. There are some questions that will need answers to give suggestions.

1.) Where are you checking the temps from?
2.) How are you checking the temps?
3.) Are the temps your providing Ambient or surface?
4.) What kind cage set up do you have?
5.) Do you have a thermostat hooked up to the UTH?

We moved that one to right on the heating pad and we have one on the side of the glass that reads temp and humidity

<3 My Firefighter Is My Hero <3
SFD-423
Ball python lover

Quote:

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Originally Posted by firefightergirl

We moved that one to right on the heating pad and we have one on the side of the glass that reads temp and humidity

<3 My Firefighter Is My Hero <3
SFD-423
Ball python lover

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It's still not designed to measure surface temps. I'd recommend exactly what Steffe's said and pick up a digital thermometer with a probe. That way, you can put the probe right on the glass above the heat pad and read its temperature from the other side of the enclosure if you wanted to.

Edit: If you haven't already, check out the 2nd link down in my signature. Lots of good info there that relates to this topic. :D

Another thing you can do to raise your ambient temp is insulate the back and sides. I always liked the look of black or white foam core. Helps with the snake feeling secure and keeps the whole thing warmer.

We will be next week when we go to the pet store for dog food and such. .. http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...4214be628f.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...4a66d8b7a1.jpg we have 2 very curious dogs

<3 My Firefighter Is My Hero <3
SFD-423
Ball python lover

Good good. I'd still unplug the heat mat for now. Those things can get really hot if left unmonitored.

I assume he has been eating regularly?

Oh I also think getting his enclosure away from the door will help with your temps.

Eating every Sunday like clockwork!

<3 My Firefighter Is My Hero <3
SFD-423
Ball python lover

Quote:

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Originally Posted by firefightergirl

Eating every Sunday like clockwork!

<3 My Firefighter Is My Hero <3
SFD-423
Ball python lover

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Noice.

Just curious what size mice/rats are you feeding?

They are rather small mice/frozen but they aren't to small, it is one size up from what the pet store feeds them

<3 My Firefighter Is My Hero <3
SFD-423
Ball python lover

Don't be afraid to bump up your feeder size. Most babies are started on small adult mice and move up quickly. They can eat a much bigger meal than you might think lol. Mouse/rat should be about the same thickness as the thickest part of your snakes body.