what to do about lower ambient temps for a week while home for thanksgiving?

Hi everyone, i am going home from college for thanksgiving next week and i am bringing my ball python with me and this will be my first time traveling with him. My problem is that in my apartment i heat the whole room to keep up ambient temps in his cage but my parents keep their house much colder and there is no way to individually control the temp of each room so i am worried about him being too cold. The ambient temps there will probably be in the low 70s (he will still have his regulated heat mat obviously) so my question is will that be okay for my bp for 6 days (the time i will be there) or should i get a che or something for while i’m there? thank you

Why are you choosing to bring him versus leave him at your place?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wnateg

Why are you choosing to bring him versus leave him at your place?

---

i was planning on bringing him because i wanted my family to meet him and i would feel better if he was with me but if it would be better to leave him at home i will definitely do that.

You can use either a CHE or DHP to bring up the ambient temperature. Just bear in mind that both will have the effect of drying out the enclosure so you'll want to use a substrate, like cypress mulch or coco, that you can get fairly damp.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by miatb

i was planning on bringing him because i wanted my family to meet him and i would feel better if he was with me but if it would be better to leave him at home i will definitely do that.

---

It would be much better for him to leave him home.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waterman

It would be much better for him to leave him home.

---

okay thanks, i just want to do what’s best for him

If I can hi jack this thread, but keep on topic. I was thinking ahead, for those of you who just have one or two pets, and not a breeder setup, do you typically leave them home alone if you vacation for 5-7 days? I am curious how many just leave them versus having someone come check on them?

I don't like to leave mine unmonitored for more than 48 hours, but I also have retics that like to dump their water bowls too.

Is there anyone who could look in on your snake mid-week for you, even just to check the water?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Midwest

If I can hi jack this thread, but keep on topic. I was thinking ahead, for those of you who just have one or two pets, and not a breeder setup, do you typically leave them home alone if you vacation for 5-7 days? I am curious how many just leave them versus having someone come check on them?

---

I have left my cat for up to a week; she can self regulate her food / water when I leave a lot out.

Last time I went on vacation, it was for 4 days, and I gave my coworker a key and had a camera setup to watch my snakes, so I could see if anything needed to be done.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Midwest

If I can hi jack this thread, but keep on topic. I was thinking ahead, for those of you who just have one or two pets, and not a breeder setup, do you typically leave them home alone if you vacation for 5-7 days? I am curious how many just leave them versus having someone come check on them?

---

I’m setting up a camera tonight so I can keep any eye on them
when I am away from home. Don’t think it will let me see the temps though. If I’m gone for a period of time I’ll have someone come check on them and relay the temps to me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

I don't like to leave mine unmonitored for more than 48 hours, but I also have retics that like to dump their water bowls too.

Is there anyone who could look in on your snake mid-week for you, even just to check the water?

---

This is what i am worried about as well. I have never left him even overnight so i would be worried leaving him for that long. anyone i would be comfortable asking is also going home for thanksgiving so no one could check on him unfortunately. He has never dumped his water bowl and i doubt he could drink it all while i’m gone but it still makes me worried since i just don’t know what could happen. he would also be missing a meal which i know he will be fine without but with that and everything combined it just makes me uneasy. is it better to leave him completely unmonitored for about 6 days or in lower cold side temps but with me? this is my first snake and reptile in general so i am completely new to situations regarding ectotherms so i really appreciate any help.

Eveyone will have differing temperatures this time of year so make sure you have everything diled in before you leave. If in doubt having someone stop by to check on your snakes cant hurt, just make sure they know what their doing and can easily get ahold of you in case of an emergency.

If you are leaving for the holidays I would recommend having a good idea of how much water your snake typically goes through in the amount of time you plan to be away and make sure it's in their enclosure, extra water is better than less as long as it doesn't spill. If your worried about spills put something heavy in the bottom of the water container to prevent spillage, make sure the heavy item is sanitary and won't leach into the water.

It's important to remember that water evaporates so putting two water dishes the same size in won't double the time your snake has water necessarily, you might come home to two empty bowls because they both evaporated at a consistent rate. To prevent this add larger deeper bowls but again secure them so they do not tip over, this is just as bad. With a little foresight and preparation you can leave for extended periods of time with your snakes safe and happy at home. They might be a little hungry when you get back but they'll be ok.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by miatb

This is what i am worried about as well. I have never left him even overnight so i would be worried leaving him for that long. anyone i would be comfortable asking is also going home for thanksgiving so no one could check on him unfortunately. He has never dumped his water bowl and i doubt he could drink it all while i’m gone but it still makes me worried since i just don’t know what could happen. he would also be missing a meal which i know he will be fine without but with that and everything combined it just makes me uneasy. is it better to leave him completely unmonitored for about 6 days or in lower cold side temps but with me? this is my first snake and reptile in general so i am completely new to situations regarding ectotherms so i really appreciate any help.

---

It really depends on how badly you want to "share" your pet with family or friends while visiting? Also, do THEY have any dogs or cats that may pose a risk TO your snake, like when you're distracted elsewhere during the holiday? It's not only the cooler home temperatures that are risky. And if you take your snake make sure he travels safely too, in an insulated carrier w/ appropriate warmth.

I wouldn't worry too much about leaving most snakes (including BPs) home alone for a week, as even if they spilled their water bowl, they'd not die of thirst in a week...not even close. Less risk to leave home alone, IMO, but it's up to you if you want to take him along or leave him. Another alternative would be a pet-sitter- many vets will board, if you're that worried about him home alone.

I've left my snakes home for 4 days while me and the daughter took a trip, No issues at all

My local vet will board snakes, no idea what the cost is though

My friends and family won't get near the snakes, so no help there

okay thank you everyone for your advice. i think i will leave him home then. i was planning on taking him partly for my own peace of mind but if leaving him home is better for him then that’s what i will do. i will definitely be worried about him but i’ll try to remember everyone’s comments so thanks!

I have left my snakes alone for 5 or so days. I don't feed for at least a week before I leave and put in a second water dish. My sets up are all stable with back up thermostats.

FWIW I'm assuming that your "apartment" is off-campus housing and not a dorm, right? Otherwise I could see taking him home as a test, because you'd be away much longer at Christmas break.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

FWIW I'm assuming that your "apartment" is off-campus housing and not a dorm, right? Otherwise I could see taking him home as a test, because you'd be away much longer at Christmas break.

---

no my apartment is not a dorm but i will be going home for christmas where i will have to take him with me but by then i will have a setup with either a space heater for my room or a che or something but by christmas i will definitely have something to keep the heat up. i was mainly asking if it would be okay to take him for a shorter trip where i wouldn’t have time to set up something ideal. but i do still live with my parents when i am not at school so i am going to set up something there i just have not had the opportunity to.