Looking for advice, Is this healthy or not?

So here's a link to basically the background info: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...want-some-help

basically i I got my first bp December 28th (3 Saturday's ago) from a pet smart, the snake has not eaten anything since before December 3rd when the store got it. Since getting it the snake has just completed its first shed 3 days ago, and pooped yesterday for the first time in my care. (The rotten looking pinky that it deficated has been in there since December 3rd at least cuz as far as then, it has not eaten.) I'm hoping now with that out of its system, and freshly shedded, hopefully it will eat.

Here re is its current setup, any suggestions would be very helpful!

[IMG]http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...ps39b3b3cb.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3d440aa4.jpg[/IMG]

heres the snake in question(before shed)
[IMG]http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...ps03db6f79.jpg[/IMG]

heres the shed.

[IMG]http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5a306049.jpg[/IMG]

and here's the poop. (Does it look unhealthy/vet trip worthy, or give it a while?)

[IMG]http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5de669eb.jpg[/IMG]

and closer up.

[IMG]http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...ps00064a4f.jpg[/IMG]

hmm i can't see it really clear on the picture but if that pinky is not fully digested and he pooped it out, makes me think he wasn't kept warm enough.

but lets wait what the others have to say, i am no expert :)

Ok, like i said, it has been in the snake since at least before dec. 3rd, so I think it was backing up the snake. I'm keeping the snake at about 102 hot side basking spot, 85 cool side.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daniel.michelle

Ok, like i said, it has been in the snake since at least before dec. 3rd, so I think it was backing up the snake. I'm keeping the snake at about 102 hot side basking spot, 85 cool side.

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102 hot side? The hot side needs to be 88-92f with the cooler side not being lower than 75f and not higher than 82f I would say?

Are you using a thermostat?
How are you measuring temps?

I'm not sure but it looks like you've got your Heat mats mounted on the side of the wall on Both sides? Invest in a thermostat then you can put your Heat mat underneath the tank on the warm side with the probe in between the tank and the Mat (on the outside)..I wouldn't see the need for the heat mat being used on the cool end?


Check out the care sheet:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=127203

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daniel.michelle

Ok, like i said, it has been in the snake since at least before dec. 3rd, so I think it was backing up the snake. I'm keeping the snake at about 102 hot side basking spot, 85 cool side.

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Whoa that's way too hot. It should be 91 at the hottest on the hot side. what are you regulating the heat mat with? because the bottom of the bin you have him in should be that same temp. Temps higher than that could cause brain damage.

102 is far too hot....88-90 is better, but never more than 95

Ok, I turned it down to about 92-93 at the moment according to my zilla temp gun thing. (I'm positive it is correct) and it's about 80 cold side. according to my didgital temp reader, the ambient temp is about 70 cold side, 85 hot side.

Im using an exo terra thermostat that you have to guess and check with(a dial from low to high)

and the the heat tape is covering a little less than half of the bin. (The aluminum tape stuff keeping it in place is what I think you're seeing on the sides there.)

sorry, I'm new to snakes. I'm so used to high temps for monitor lizards(like my savannah monitor that comes from the same area of Africa that needs to basks at 125+). This snake is throwing me all sorts of curve balls.

Yeah lizard care and snakes are two different things, most lizards also require UVB lighting whereas balls don't require any. Hang in there though you will get him set up correctly

Ok, here's the bottom of the bin. The heat tape is taped to the bottom using aluminum tape(I don't want to tape anything to my wood dresser). Also, it is on the outside of the tank.

[IMG]http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3d63d74e.jpg[/IMG]

Here's the thermostat, exo terra, set to low.

[IMG]http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...psc79fe813.jpg[/IMG]

and the zilla temp gun.

[IMG]http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...pse3bde30b.jpg[/IMG]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daniel.michelle

Ok, here's the bottom of the bin. The heat tape is taped to the bottom using aluminum tape(I don't want to tape anything to my wood dresser). Also, it is on the outside of the tank.

[IMG]http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3d63d74e.jpg[/IMG]

Here's the thermostat, exo terra, set to low.

[IMG]http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...psc79fe813.jpg[/IMG]

and the zilla temp gun.

[IMG]http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...pse3bde30b.jpg[/IMG]

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Get a hydrofarm thermostat. It's digital, and you can set it to whatever temp you want, and it's pretty idiot-proof. They're like $36 on amazon. I have the same thermometer, and it works great, it's hard to check temps with because it's so small. I got a laser thermometer and it's way easier. Your heat is covering a large percentage of the tank, but as long as he has hide on the cold side and a hide on the warm side, he'll be able to thermoregulate. You should make your hides all the same because BP's pick favorite hides. They'll choose security over temperature, so if one hide feels more secure, they may never go into any of the other hides.

I'll look into getting one of those.

Guess who's finally going to town on a pinkie woot!!! I decided since he wasn't eating the size mice I was offering, I tried with a pinkie about the size of that that he pooped out the other day. Sheesh, talk about a picky eater... But yeah! Put the ft mouse in there, left it in on a little pitri dish, now my snake has a lump in its belly. Good sign.