First time owner help please

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ur.com/IKssFoUHello,

I bought a young banana ball at Repticon last week. I've had him now for about 7 or 8 days. I have a glass terrarium, screen lid, with a good sized hide, and water bowl. The hide is on the side with the heat pad (under tank) and a 6.5 inch light dome from Home depot with a 60 watt incandescent bulb.

I have a hygrometer on the water bowl side, that has been 55-75 % humidity. I'm in the process of getting a hygrometer for the hide side as well.

I noticed yesterday morning, when he was basking outside his hide, that he had pretty much two lines down him. The banana is a rather light colored ball, but there were two dark brown (almost looked like varnish or stain) going down his back. In the middle of the two is the typical, light color. Other than that, he seems to be acting the same. I couldn't tell if he felt dryer than normal. Haven't been handling him too much since he's getting used to his home. The fact that they were two distinct lines, I am confused why the whole section was not the same color.https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ur.com/IKssFoU

Does anyone have any ideas? The only other thing I can say is that i had another small log in there that he would hide in, but it was extremely tight in there. Not sure if that was the issue, so I removed that.

Any help would be MUCH appreciated. My daughter has fallen in love with this little guy, and I want him to be healthy.

Thank you.

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https://imgur.com/IKssFoU should be the picture. It did not insert.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../7/banana2.jpg

Congrats on your new noodle he looks beautiful!

Few questions which will help everyone here help you better;

Do you have a thermostat to control the temps of the heat pad?

What type of substrate are you using?

How are you measuring surface temps in your enclosure?

I assume those markings you mention were not there or visible when you fisrt bought him?

A pic of your setup could be useful as well if possible.

I do not have a thermostat.

The markings were not there when I bought him.

I use a 'heat gun' to check the temps. One of those that you point at the substrate, and it checks the temp.

The substrate was what the reptile supply company at the expo recommended. I believe it is coconut husks, colored like red/brown. It came in a 'brick'. I'll go grab a picture of the setup, and of the other 'hide' that I removed.

Thanks!

Here is the setup, substrate, and the small hide i removed. I didn't think he would use the small hide, but more climb over it. He totally fit in it, and my wife just saw that it looks like he might have some scratches on him, perhaps from entering/leaving the small hide. Is that possible?

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../1/7/setup.jpg


https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../substrate.jpg


https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...small_hide.jpg

I would recommend that you get a thermostat asap because the heatpad can very easily burn your snake. This is crucial please.

This could be what has happened? I'm not sure... Maybe also from the small hide like you say- could be markings from getting in or out.

I'm a new / first time owner myself and I know that a thermostat is absolutely key. Also it would be good if you can cover the back and sides of your terrarium- this helps with him feeling a lot happier and secure.

I'm sure others will chime in with advice with this :)

Thermostat is probably the most important part of your enclosure, so even if for now your numbers are good doesn't mean something will not fail better safe than sorry right? As for the discoloration have you tried a warm wash rag looks to be dirt from the substrate you are using. Best wishes to you and your family always ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Acedink

I do not have a thermostat.

The markings were not there when I bought him.

I use a 'heat gun' to check the temps. One of those that you point at the substrate, and it checks the temp.

The substrate was what the reptile supply company at the expo recommended. I believe it is coconut husks, colored like red/brown. It came in a 'brick'. I'll go grab a picture of the setup, and of the other 'hide' that I removed.

Thanks!

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Its been said quite often before, but im going to repeat it again before Craig gets here- a thermostat is CRUCIAL and not an option. Go google snake burns and youll know what i mean. Any unregulated heat source could injure your snake or worse, so thats another top priority for now.

As for those lines, monitor them for now. I personally cant get a good look at them currently since im at work, but ill see what i can do when im home.

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I might be on the wrong track here, but to me, it appears that he scraped the middle of his back and the 2 darker lines you are seeing is actually
the contrast of where the scraped skin ends. Could also be discolored from the substrate, as C.Marie suggested, so try wiping him with damp cloth?
Your substrate might have stained him if it has added red/brown coloration.

In ANY event, unregulated heating is a huge no-no...if you snake gets burned it's horribly painful, slow to heal & potentially fatal.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

In ANY event, unregulated heating is a huge no-no...if you snake gets burned it's horribly painful, slow to heal & potentially fatal.

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^ I second this. Never put a snake in an enclosure with heating sources without regulating them first.

As for the stain, it looks precise to me. It looked as if he slithered through a dirty tube and got dirt on both sides. Is the inside of the log dirty at all?

The small log was clean when I put it in there last weekend. I will get a thermostat ASAP. Thanks everyone.

I could swear I've seen that exact "hide" (the one you said was removed with the little green plant) as aquarium decor. The one I recall was quite rough in texture (think pumice stone or lava rock) and had a small lip down from how it is manufactured on the inner edge of the openings, so they're narrower than the outside appears at a glance. That texture with a snug fit could definitely cause some scraping.

And seconding that it is Vital! to get a thermostat. Until one is hooked up, that under tank heat pad should remain unplugged. Additionally, it sounds like you're using the heat gun at the surface of the substrate; you have to take measurements on the hot side when using under tank heat pads from the glass/beneath all substrate. Otherwise you're reading a cooler temperature than the snake can access.

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Do be very careful about using "aquarium" decor for snakes: many have VERY sharp edges inside that would NOT affect the fish they're intended for,
but which WILL cut your snake to shreds if he cluelessly tries to squish inside. Also, make sure that ALL decor (hollow logs etc) have NO openings that
your snake might get stuck in...they don't know any better than to try a tight squeeze, and they cannot back up because of the direction of their scales.

Many wild snakes die every year in bird netting & similar fence materials that people use in their garden...they get part-way in & get stuck. Those
attractive cholla logs also come to mind...they might be fine for tiny geckos but snakes can get stuck in those too. It's impossible to safely cut away
driftwood or plastic aquarium decor once your snake gets stuck in a tight opening.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Do be very careful about using "aquarium" decor for snakes: many have VERY sharp edges inside that would NOT affect the fish they're intended for,
but which WILL cut your snake to shreds if he cluelessly tries to squish inside. Also, make sure that ALL decor (hollow logs etc) have NO openings that
your snake might get stuck in...they don't know any better than to try a tight squeeze, and they cannot back up because of the direction of their scales.

Many wild snakes die every year in bird netting & similar fence materials that people use in their garden...they get part-way in & get stuck. Those
attractive cholla logs also come to mind...they might be fine for tiny geckos but snakes can get stuck in those too. It's impossible to safely cut away
driftwood or plastic aquarium decor once your snake gets stuck in a tight opening.

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I second this. if you do some searching on the forums you'll find stories of snakes that actually got stuck inside aquarium decor. These guys can and will squeeze themselves into places you'd think impossible - and getting them out can be a trick. I would recommend something like these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UCDIBMY...528219186&sr=2

I know they aren't as pretty as the decor, but they're functional, inexpensive, and safe. Get a few so you can switch them out for cleaning :)

Also, did you say what your humidity was and/or how your were monitoring it?

If you want to pay a bit more for aesthetic and keep something prettier or more natural, look for larger pieces of cork bark. It comes in tubes similar to the one in the picture that looks like aquarium decor, but it a soft enough material that it can be ripped apart fairly easy if it became necessary. Local reptile stores would be the cheapest places to find it, but you may get lucky elsewhere. Online works too, but may end up being smaller than you anticipated if you don't visualize sizes from numbers very well (or a seller ripping you off).
There are plenty of other reptile specific hides that are more aesthetically pleasing as well.

Aim to get things that either lift off (like the black plastic hide above) or have holes wide enough for (in my opinion) 2x the thickest part of your snake. They often double back through holes and can get wedged in like that and you want plenty of clearance for any lumps post-feeding.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

I second this. if you do some searching on the forums you'll find stories of snakes that actually got stuck inside aquarium decor. These guys can and will squeeze themselves into places you'd think impossible - and getting them out can be a trick. I would recommend something like these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UCDIBMY...528219186&sr=2

I know they aren't as pretty as the decor, but they're functional, inexpensive, and safe. Get a few so you can switch them out for cleaning :)

Also, did you say what your humidity was and/or how your were monitoring it?

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I have an Acurite thero/hygro that I'm checking the humidity with. I was using a heat lamp, but I think it was drying out the air almost instantly. I've put a cover over 50-60% of the top, and the humidity levels are anywhere from 65-80% on the hide side, and about 3-5% less on the non-hide side.

If the heat pad isn't getting everything up to temp, what are the options? The heat lamp may not work due to the humidity issue, but could I just thin out the substrate?

Once I get the temp all sorted, the only thing left will be getting the little guy to eat!

I'd be lost if not for this message board!!!

And on the original issue, whatever it was, it did wipe off with a damp cloth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Acedink

....
If the heat pad isn't getting everything up to temp, what are the options? The heat lamp may not work due to the humidity issue, but could I just thin out the substrate?

Once I get the temp all sorted, the only thing left will be getting the little guy to eat!

I'd be lost if not for this message board!!!

And on the original issue, whatever it was, it did wipe off with a damp cloth.

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First, if the substrate is too thick (deep) and without air gaps*, it actually serves as "insulation" that prevents the UTH heat from rising into the cage. So yes,
either thin out the substrate (I forgot at this moment what you're using) or use something that is more porous, like chunky orchid bark* that allows heat to rise
because it's full of air gaps between the pieces.

Feeding...ahh, feeding! The next "hurdle", LOL. Can be fun or frustrating, but only time will tell...and yes, it sure helps to discuss & ask questions here. ;)

RE "original issue" (dark stripes) I'm so glad that was an easy fix. We learn to be part-time detectives when keeping snakes. (it does get easier)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

First, if the substrate is too thick (deep) and without air gaps*, it actually serves as "insulation" that prevents the UTH heat from rising into the cage. So yes,
either thin out the substrate (I forgot at this moment what you're using) or use something that is more porous, like chunky orchid bark* that allows heat to rise
because it's full of air gaps between the pieces.

Feeding...ahh, feeding! The next "hurdle", LOL. Can be fun or frustrating, but only time will tell...and yes, it sure helps to discuss & ask questions here. ;)

RE "original issue" (dark stripes) I'm so glad that was an easy fix. We learn to be part-time detectives when keeping snakes. (it does get easier)

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Hoping for more fun than frustration LOL