Sookie

I got Sookie yesterday (June 11) she ( just an assumption) she is 3.5 feet long and 7 years old. She was with the same owner for the 7 years but they had rehome her. I haven’t had a ball python in a very long time and the one only had it for a short period of time.

On to what o actually wanted to ask. I fed her yesterday one thawed mouse. She was fed the week before that too. and she still seems quite hungry or nervous. Anytime my hand goes in her enclosure she comes so far out of her tree to watch why I am doing and sometimes does the same if I am just looking in at the temps and at her. And she spends almost all day lid like this https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0e4c49ba22.jpg inside her tree which is on the cooler side of her enclosure. Is she still adjusting or is she hungry? https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0c85709f17.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3e9f1cfaa1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...bc7ce24df8.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

First off, welcome to the forum and back to the hobby.

If she's that old and large a mouse is definitely not enough food. She should be eating small or medium rats.

If she's acting a bit nervous, it could be because her enclosure is pretty wide open. I would cover the sides as well as the back to improve her sense of security.
I'd also add some clutter to the enclosure, using fake plants, tree branches, rocks, etc...

It's also recommended to have 2 identical hides. With different hides the snake may choose one over the other for security and will sacrifice thermoregulation in favor of security.

Also, I only see 1 wire in the pics...are your heat sources regulated by a thermostat?

Would two adult mice be ok to feed at a time. I am going to be breeding my own mice as I already had two female pet mice anyway. And there is a heating pad and a heat lamp. The gages on the warmer side say the temp is 80 and the humidity is about 68


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Parsons483

Would two adult mice be ok to feed at a time. I am going to be breeding my own mice as I already had two female pet mice anyway. And there is a heating pad and a heat lamp. The gages on the warmer side say the temp is 80 and the humidity is about 68


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

Yes, you can feed multiple mice. Most people prefer rats since you only need to feed one. It ends up being easier and cheaper. But in your situation the mice are fine if that's what you choose.

It's EXTREMELY important to regulate ALL heat sources with a thermostat. It's literally the most important piece of equipment you can have.
Unregulated heat mats can spike to over 120° and cause serious burns or even death.
Heat lamps can also spike and be fatal.

Oh, and if you're talking dial style analog thermometers they are unfortunately I junk and wildly inaccurate. They can be off by as much as 15% or 15°.
You'll want to get digitals if you don't already have them.

80° is too cool for the warm side. You should be aiming for 84 ambient, 78-80 cool and a hot spot of 88-89 measured with a temp gun.

I will order one. But are those temps fine? Under that log is where the heating pad is and I laid my hand on it and it didn’t seem hot. I had to put her in a room that has a tendency to get a little cool


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Parsons483

I will order one. But are those temps fine? Under that log is where the heating pad is and I laid my hand on it and it didn’t seem hot. I had to put her in a room that has a tendency to get a little cool


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

Sorry, I edited my reply before seeing yours. Please see above.
And unfortunately, your hand can't be trusted to check temps.

And you don't want temps below 75° at all

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

Yes, you can feed multiple mice. Most people prefer rats since you only need to feed one. It ends up being easier and cheaper. But in your situation the mice are fine if that's what you choose.

It's EXTREMELY important to regulate ALL heat sources with a thermostat. It's literally the most important piece of equipment you can have.
Unregulated heat mats can spike to over 120° and cause serious burns or even death.
Heat lamps can also spike and be fatal.

Oh, and if you're talking dial style analog thermometers they are unfortunately I junk and wildly inaccurate. They can be off by as much as 15% or 15°.
You'll want to get digitals if you don't already have them.

80° is too cool for the warm side. You should be aiming for 84 ambient, 78-80 cool and a hot spot of 88-89 measured with a temp gun.

---

Sorry didn’t see the other half of your reply. Yeah they are the zoo med oneshttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7348e5a4b5.jpg
Ok so I should turn up the heat lamp?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Parsons483

Sorry didn’t see the other half of your reply. Yeah they are the zoo med oneshttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7348e5a4b5.jpg
Ok so I should turn up the heat lamp?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

Yeah, you'll need to replace those thermometers/hygrometers. They're honestly useless and I can't believe they're still sold.

Honestly, you should unplug the heat mat asap until you get a thermostat. Google search snake burns if you need to see how bad those heat mats can get.

Depending on the temps in the room the snake is in you may be better off shutting all the heat. They handle cold better than hot

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

Yeah, you'll need to replace those thermometers/hygrometers. They're honestly useless and I can't believe they're still sold.

Honestly, you should unplug the heat mat asap until you get a thermostat. Google search snake burns if you need to see how bad those heat mats can get.

Depending on the temps in the room the snake is in you may be better off shutting all the heat. They handle cold better than hot

---

Ok thanks. My digital thermometer is reading 72 on the warmer side


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'll add in for emphasis.. Craig is 100% right on tstat and the thermometers. No heat source should ever be used without a thermostat to control it. (Not to mention the fire hazard unregulated heat sources pose)

Here's a video showing the temps heat mats can achieve unregulated in a very short time:
https://youtu.be/NcGJaHVF72w

Also, here is an example from a recent post somewhere of a burned ball python from an unregulated heat mat. This is a severe burn with potentially infection and other stuff going on.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...69bfbf0426.jpg

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Parsons483

Ok thanks. My digital thermometer is reading 72 on the warmer side


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

Hahaha, see what I mean about the analog being inaccurate??
You're gonna want to get those temps up.

My advice at this point would be to unplug the heat mat and leave the lamp on. At least the snake can't come in direct contact with the lamp.
But you definitely want to get your heat sources regulated. The good thing about them, aside from them keeping the animal safe, is that once you get your temps dialed in the tstat does the rest and maintains your temps.
All you need to do is check daily to make sure everything is functioning properly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pretends2bnormal

I'll add in for emphasis.. Craig is 100% right on tstat and the thermometers. No heat source should ever be used without a thermostat to control it. (Not to mention the fire hazard unregulated heat sources pose)

Here's a video showing the temps heat mats can achieve unregulated in a very short time:
https://youtu.be/NcGJaHVF72w

Also, here is an example from a recent post somewhere of a burned ball python from an unregulated heat mat. This is a severe burn with potentially infection and other stuff going on.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...69bfbf0426.jpg

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

---

Thank you. I am going to order one. I have the heating pad turned off now


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

Hahaha, see what I mean about the analog being inaccurate??
You're gonna want to get those temps up.

My advice at this point would be to unplug the heat mat and leave the lamp on. At least the snake can't come in direct contact with the lamp.
But you definitely want to get your heat sources regulated. The good thing about them, aside from them keeping the animal safe, is that once you get your temps dialed in the tstat does the rest and maintains your temps.
All you need to do is check daily to make sure everything is functioning properly.

---

Ok thank you. I got the heating pad turned off and I had some other pieces of wood laying around that I was able to make another hide out of too. So hopefully this makes her more comfortable. Another question tho. The day I got her her water dish was bone dry so I don’t know when she had a drink last. But after I fed her yesterday she drank some water after and was drinking for a good minute then went back for more about 15-20 minutes later for about 30 seconds is that normal?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Parsons483

Ok thank you. I got the heating pad turned off and I had some other pieces of wood laying around that I was able to make another hide out of too. So hopefully this makes her more comfortable. Another question tho. The day I got her her water dish was bone dry so I don’t know when she had a drink last. But after I fed her yesterday she drank some water after and was drinking for a good minute then went back for more about 15-20 minutes later for about 30 seconds is that normal?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

All sounds good!! You'll be a great snake parent!!

As for the drinking, I think that's perfectly normal. If she was thirsty before eating she may have just needed a bit of hydration to help move her prey down.
They got the majority of their water from their prey, so don't drink all that often.
But I certainly wouldn't sweat her drinking. She knows what she's doing.

Keep up the good work and feel free to ask all the questions you may have. We're happy to help.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

All sounds good!! You'll be a great snake parent!!

As for the drinking, I think that's perfectly normal. If she was thirsty before eating she may have just needed a bit of hydration to help move her prey down.
They got the majority of their water from their prey, so don't drink all that often.
But I certainly wouldn't sweat her drinking. She knows what she's doing.

Keep up the good work and feel free to ask all the questions you may have. We're happy to help.

---

Thanks I really appreciate it. One last question should I have the fogger on a timer? It’s a zoomed repti-fogger


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Parsons483

Thanks I really appreciate it. One last question should I have the fogger on a timer? It’s a zoomed repti-fogger


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

That I can't answer for you. I have no experience with them since I don't use them.
I don't like to give advice unless I have experience or have read enough to confidently give good advice.

Hopefully someone else will chime in soon.

If you're interested, I'd be happy to share some of my tips for keeping humidity up in glass enclosures.
I've been using glass since I started out in this hobby almost 20 years ago. So I've had a lot of time for trial and error and have had good success with glass.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

That I can't answer for you. I have no experience with them since I don't use them.
I don't like to give advice unless I have experience or have read enough to confidently give good advice.

Hopefully someone else will chime in soon.

If you're interested, I'd be happy to share some of my tips for keeping humidity up in glass enclosures.
I've been using glass since I started out in this hobby almost 20 years ago. So I've had a lot of time for trial and error and have had good success with glass.

---

I would appreciate that any tips and tricks will come in handy thank you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Parsons483

I would appreciate that any tips and tricks will come in handy thank you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

Ok. Now you'll need to consider that I live in MA so your climate may be a bit different from mine. So what works for me may need a little tweaking on your end, but the same principles apply.

I use a blend of Eco Earth and ReptiBark for substrate. It holds humidity well, spot cleans easy and looks naturalistic.
It looks like you're using ReptiBark so you're already off to a good start there.

I also use two water dishes. I actually use dog food dishes I buy at Walmart for $0.98 each. They're decent size, but hollow underneath, so they double as great hides. I just place a few flat stones underneath the edges to prop them up for my larger snakes. But they all love them cause they're tight fitting for them.

Depending on the time of year I add a small dish of sphagnum moss and keep that damp. This helps a lot in the cooler months when the heat is on.

Finally, what helps the absolute most...

I wrap my glass enclosures in 1/2" foam board insulation. I do the back, sides and top. It comes in 8 foot sheets, so I just measure the tank and cut pieces to fit. Then secure them in place with tape (outside the enclosure, no tape ever inside an enclosure). Lastly, I Trace the heat lamp and cut about an inch bigger circle than the lamp. This allows for space so the insulation isn't in direct contact with the lamp (but the insulation is also fire retardant) as well as allowing air flow.
This helps immensely with heat and humidity control. By keeping the enclosure insulated, the heating equipment doesn't need to run as hot. Less artificial heat = less water evaporation. And unfortunately bulbs zap humidity.
This also helps by creating a "shield" on top of the screen to keep moisture in. One side of the insulation is silver which reflects the humidity back in rather than evaporating.
Other bonuses: it provides the security snakes crave that I mentioned earlier.
It also helps with your electric bill since heating equipment doesn't need to work as hard.

As far as aesthetics, you can do all sorts of things to make it as pretty as you like. That's completely up to you.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask follow ups if you have questions.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

Ok. Now you'll need to consider that I live in MA so your climate may be a bit different from mine. So what works for me may need a little tweaking on your end, but the same principles apply.

I use a blend of Eco Earth and ReptiBark for substrate. It holds humidity well, spot cleans easy and looks naturalistic.
It looks like you're using ReptiBark so you're already off to a good start there.

I also use two water dishes. I actually use dog food dishes I buy at Walmart for $0.98 each. They're decent size, but hollow underneath, so they double as great hides. I just place a few flat stones underneath the edges to prop them up for my larger snakes. But they all love them cause they're tight fitting for them.

Depending on the time of year I add a small dish of sphagnum moss and keep that damp. This helps a lot in the cooler months when the heat is on.

Finally, what helps the absolute most...

I wrap my glass enclosures in 1/2" foam board insulation. I do the back, sides and top. It comes in 8 foot sheets, so I just measure the tank and cut pieces to fit. Then secure them in place with tape (outside the enclosure, no tape ever inside an enclosure). Lastly, I Trace the heat lamp and cut about an inch bigger circle than the lamp. This allows for space so the insulation isn't in direct contact with the lamp (but the insulation is also fire retardant) as well as allowing air flow.
This helps immensely with heat and humidity control. By keeping the enclosure insulated, the heating equipment doesn't need to run as hot. Less artificial heat = less water evaporation. And unfortunately bulbs zap humidity.
This also helps by creating a "shield" on top of the screen to keep moisture in. One side of the insulation is silver which reflects the humidity back in rather than evaporating.
Other bonuses: it provides the security snakes crave that I mentioned earlier.
It also helps with your electric bill since heating equipment doesn't need to work as hard.

As far as aesthetics, you can do all sorts of things to make it as pretty as you like. That's completely up to you.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask follow ups if you have questions.

---

I live in Newfoundland, Canada. And the air is usually pretty damp here. Do I need to deep clean that at anytime? What’s in there is what came with her I wanted to get her fed before I started cleaning it. I’ll try the moss idea tho it seems pretty simple. And the water dish to make another hide thanks :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Parsons483

I live in Newfoundland, Canada. And the air is usually pretty damp here. Do I need to deep clean that at anytime? What’s in there is what came with her I wanted to get her fed before I started cleaning it. I’ll try the moss idea tho it seems pretty simple. And the water dish to make another hide thanks :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

By deep cleaning do you mean the enclosure itself or the insulation?

I deep clean the enclosure, but generally just a quick wipedown of the insulation

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

By deep cleaning do you mean the enclosure itself or the insulation?

I deep clean the enclosure, but generally just a quick wipedown of the insulation

---

I meant like take everything out replace the substrate and clean everything


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Parsons483

I meant like take everything out replace the substrate and clean everything


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

Ok, yeah. I do a full enclosure deep clean every 3 months or so. Kinda on an "as needed" basis. My colubrids tend to get more frequent cleans cause the tend to be a bit more messy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

Ok, yeah. I do a full enclosure deep clean every 3 months or so. Kinda on an "as needed" basis. My colubrids tend to get more frequent cleans cause the tend to be a bit more messy.

---

Ok great thanks. I wasn’t sure lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Parsons483

Ok great thanks. I wasn’t sure lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

My pleasure :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

My pleasure :)

---

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...869a68148d.jpg
Would this one be good ?
For monitoring the temp and humidity



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Parsons483

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...869a68148d.jpg
Would this one be good ?
For monitoring the temp and humidity



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

I don't know anything about that particular brand.

I use Accurite brand in all my enclosures. I get them from Walmart for $10, but I'm guessing you can probably find them online in Canada, but that's a guess.

That one you referenced would almost definitely be more reliable than analogs though. I just can't confirm with no knowledge of the brand

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

I don't know anything about that particular brand.

I use Accurite brand in all my enclosures. I get them from Walmart for $10, but I'm guessing you can probably find them online in Canada, but that's a guess.

That one you referenced would almost definitely be more reliable than analogs though. I just can't confirm with no knowledge of the brand

---

Ok lol. I have looked around at these or similar in some stores online and it seems to cost more that’s why I was going with this one. My local pet store is very overpriced on almost everything they have


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've got some similar to that (identical look, not 100% sure on brand... probably just rebranded ones from the same manufacturer) that I toss into rack tubs. They're reasonable in accuracy. Temps tend to be better than humidity, especially when set on the ground. Mine tend to read up to 99% at random when the substrate is pushed around where the reader is I assume and the small size makes that easy to do for most snakes.

If you hot glued the edges of the face to glass just above the substrate it would probably have good results.

I find them about as accurate as the ZooMed probe thermometer hygrometer combo things. Pretty good for most of it, but not enough to be the only measuring method for a hot spot. (If used with a temp gun, I think it is fine). Only slightly less accurate or consistent to each other out of the box than with the Acurite ones I have.

My 4 like this are within 1 degree F of each other and within 4% humidity in the same location over months & temps accurate within .5 degrees of my temp gun. My accurites are a bit better on humidity, but one or two came out of the box 2 or 3 degrees off. Those allowed for adjusting, so it is easy to deal with. This kind doesn't as far as I'm aware.

Definitely a vast improvement over the analog gauges.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pretends2bnormal

I've got some similar to that (identical look, not 100% sure on brand... probably just rebranded ones from the same manufacturer) that I toss into rack tubs. They're reasonable in accuracy. Temps tend to be better than humidity, especially when set on the ground. Mine tend to read up to 99% at random when the substrate is pushed around where the reader is I assume and the small size makes that easy to do for most snakes.

If you hot glued the edges of the face to glass just above the substrate it would probably have good results.

I find them about as accurate as the ZooMed probe thermometer hygrometer combo things. Pretty good for most of it, but not enough to be the only measuring method for a hot spot. (If used with a temp gun, I think it is fine). Only slightly less accurate or consistent to each other out of the box than with the Acurite ones I have.

My 4 like this are within 1 degree F of each other and within 4% humidity in the same location over months & temps accurate within .5 degrees of my temp gun. My accurites are a bit better on humidity, but one or two came out of the box 2 or 3 degrees off. Those allowed for adjusting, so it is easy to deal with. This kind doesn't as far as I'm aware.

Definitely a vast improvement over the analog gauges.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

---

Ok thank you. I ended ordering one. But not the same one there was a two pack from a more promising seller.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk