Thermostat probe placement in my tank?

My snake is with me for 6weeks and he is STILL glass surfing every night and climbing enclosure walls. I don't get his behaviour at all.
I have tried everything to make him a nice home.
He's got a big enough cage 24x16x16. Water bowl, branches to climb, two hides, heat from above and below, humidity of 55 to 70 %. He eats fine.
Where is his problem?!

Just recently he added to the list of strange behaviour. He now digs in the substrate at one spot of the enclosure which he never did before. He doesn't burrow, just uses his snout to dig into substrate.
I thought I had the perfect temperatures but always people suggest the temps musst be wrong if the snake wants to escape hence my question.
I heat with a heating panel from above and heat mat from below.
I use a thermostat each. The heat panel probe is positioned about a hands width from the ground under the panel. It reads temps of 84 to 86.
With the mat I provide a hot spot. the probe is on the bottom of the tank above the mat. It reads 88 to 90.
On th cool end I have a Thermometer that gives me 77 to 79.
He stays in his cool hide 99 percent of time when he sleeps.
Meassuring with a heat gun, I reach temps of
86 to 88 on the warm side substrate and 77 to 81 on the gradient from warm to cool side on the substrate.
The decor which is closer to the heat panel like the branch reach temps of 86 to 92. And he likes to use them as well.

So what's wrong? I experimented with slightly hotter and slightly cooler temps, didnt change anything in his behaviour.

Here's a picture of the enclosure. One probe on the left side wall and the other under the left side hide.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVNp9B9s...dium=copy_link

Is my probe placement off?

Most of my snakes dig around. My BRB and Bloods were notorious for destroying they're nicely covered enclosures. They'd dig up all the plants and move everything. I ended up just putting them on newspaper because of it. My Ball will at times dig around but it's mostly good so she's still on substrate. My Cen Am Boa actually burrows and is completely under the substrate 95% of the time. I wouldn't call that normal but I don't worry about it. I know the numbers are good and the enclosure is secure. So I let the snake do as it pleases.


As for probes this is how I do mine for my RHP.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...91#post2359891

As for your snake and now seeing your setup, I would add more moss to the hides. Make them as tight as possible. You might also want to turn the openings inward so they don't look out. A huge needs to make the snake feel secure. If the door is opened to basically a window that's not going to give them that. Most all my hides are turned in our even backwards, it at least a angle.

Then relax. If your numbers are good you are worrying over nothing. You may actually be causing it changing things and constantly getting involved. Maybe not.... But maybe.

If you’re only seeing him exhibit this behavior at night and not 24/7 then he’s most likely fine. If you are in fact measuring your temps and humidity correctly then there is no problem, you’re just over thinking it


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It just seems odd to me that he constantly changes behaviour or gets new quirky traits. Ball pythons are not known for inconsistancy I guess (except feeding).
I would blame it on hunger but that would be odd as well for a ball python. I have been feeding him smaller meals and that means he is not taking as long of a break after feeding and is still active.
I could feed him bigger mice again to keep him less active but I care about his health and wont stuff him because of this.

It's not unhealthy for a snake to be active. Unless I just fed my GTP, ETB, BRB, Dum, and Col Boa move around almost every night. My Kings and Hoggies will be moving during most days. I even caught my Col Boa moving around during the day twice last week. You know what I did about it? Nothing. The numbers are good so I have nothing to worry about. I knew she was getting hungry and just remedied that tonight. Now she'll be still for a couple days having ate a XXL rat, but those others will probably be moving again tomorrow night or the night after. As long as my snakes are holding weight, eating, and shedding I don't worry about what they do.

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Originally Posted by CakeLike

It just seems odd to me that he constantly changes behaviour or gets new quirky traits. Ball pythons are not known for inconsistancy I guess (except feeding).
I would blame it on hunger but that would be odd as well for a ball python. I have been feeding him smaller meals and that means he is not taking as long of a break after feeding and is still active.
I could feed him bigger mice again to keep him less active but I care about his health and wont stuff him because of this.

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It's odd to me how you want your snake to be less active. It doesn't sound like anything is wrong other than you constantly changing things because you think there's a problem. All due respect, how many times do you have to be told he's fine before you just leave him alone? Yea you've had him for 6 weeks, but if you're going in there every other day moving stuff around and changing stuff you really haven't let him settle in. I think it would do you and your snake a world of good to leave that enclosure alone for a few weeks.

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Originally Posted by Hugsplox

It's odd to me how you want your snake to be less active. It doesn't sound like anything is wrong other than you constantly changing things because you think there's a problem. All due respect, how many times do you have to be told he's fine before you just leave him alone? Yea you've had him for 6 weeks, but if you're going in there every other day moving stuff around and changing stuff you really haven't let him settle in. I think it would do you and your snake a world of good to leave that enclosure alone for a few weeks.

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I am not doing it constantly. I tried it then stopped when it didnt change anything.
I don't care if he's active or not I just care about him potentially hurting himself while climbing the walls, squeezeing through anything and trying to squish hinself through tiny gaps trying to get out of the enclosure.
I have studied about ball python keeping for over a year before getting him and now I am experiencing polar opposites of what I have learned about ball pythons and seen about them from other keepers I followed.
Bp's are pet rocks, you won't see them much at all, always hiding. He is very active all night. BP's are chill, he is jumpy and skittish.
BP's don't eat well and skip many meals, he is constantly hungry and looking for food (not complaining about this one).
So forgive me that I am pretty much confused and want to find any problems that could lead to him being so "different".
Different personalitys are a thing I am aware. But when everyone says they naturally act a certain way, then mine acts that different, I get worried about my animal. And I don't quite believe yet that I was "blessed" with a ball python that is the odd one out.

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Originally Posted by CakeLike

I don't care if he's active or not I just care about him potentially hurting himself while climbing the walls, squeezeing through anything and trying to squish hinself through tiny gaps trying to get out of the enclosure.
I have studied about ball python keeping for over a year before getting him and now I am experiencing polar opposites of what I have learned about ball pythons and seen about them from other keepers I followed.
Bp's are pet rocks, you won't see them much at all, always hiding. He is very active all night. BP's are chill, he is jumpy and skittish.
BP's don't eat well and skip many meals, he is constantly hungry and looking for food (not complaining about this one).
So forgive me that I am pretty much confused and want to find any problems that could lead to him being so "different".
Different personalitys are a thing I am aware. But when everyone says they naturally act a certain way, then mine acts that different, I get worried about my animal. And I don't quite believe yet that I was "blessed" with a ball python that is the odd one out.

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Ball pythons are not literal “pet rocks” people say that because you will hardly see them during the day because they will be hiding. They’re nocturnal so they ARE active at night, thus the term “pet rock” because when you are awake they are asleep and vise versa. He will not hurt himself climbing walls or trying to squeeze into places because he won’t even be able to get his snout into your cage sliding door. He’s jumpy because he is I assume a hatchling, you are hundreds of times bigger than he is. If you were constantly being watched and observed by a giant I’m sure you would be jumpy too. When people say “they don’t eat well and skip meals” because that’s what adult ball pythons do. Hatchlings should be automatic with feeding and rarely refuse food. They don’t start getting spotty with feeding until they hit their 1000g wall. Your Ball Python is NOT acting any different from anyone else’s Ball Python


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"Bp's are pet rocks, you won't see them much at all, always hiding. He is very active all night."

I worked night for many years and now work a evening shift where I still stay up until 3-4am each night. Doing this I have had the privilege of seeing my snakes at night when they are out and about. Most people don't though so they are not always the greatest pets for those wanting to be entrained.

I fed everyone last night and my Col Boa is laying coiled out in the open. He has two nice hides but he has chosen to lay in the middle of the cage. Certainly not what you would guess he would be doing but that is what he is doing. I am not worried in the least.

You have to trust your snake a bit.


"BP's are chill, he is jumpy and skittish."

Being a bit jumpy and skittish sounds like a regular Ball to me. But what are we comparing them to? That could make a difference.


"BP's don't eat well and skip many meals, he is constantly hungry and looking for food (not complaining about this one)."

Only once has mine taken a break. Other than that one time in 10 years she eats wonderfully.

Yes he is a baby still. But that's why he can squish his nose into the gap and I am compelled to stop it but a snake doesn't listen when I scold him obviously like my cats do ��.
He also stops moving suddenly while actively exploring. Then he sits completely still for a few seconds and quickly moves again.
Like his mind was beamed into another dimension for a while.
Since snakes are not the most emotional and or social creatures we assume them to be driven by instict and primal needs mostly. So the assumption a snake would act a certain predisposed way is natural I believe. You wouldn't expect them to have mood swings and personality changes as much as say a dog.
Anyhow I'll be making a vet visit sometime soon to be absolutely sure there is nothing wrong even if it's unnessesary.

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Originally Posted by CakeLike

Anyhow I'll be making a vet visit sometime soon to be absolutely sure there is nothing wrong even if it's unnessesary.

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:evileye: With that I am done wasting my time and effort on this.

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Originally Posted by CakeLike

Yes he is a baby still. But that's why he can squish his nose into the gap and I am compelled to stop it but a snake doesn't listen when I scold him obviously like my cats do ��.
He also stops moving suddenly while actively exploring. Then he sits completely still for a few seconds and quickly moves again.
Like his mind was beamed into another dimension for a while.
Since snakes are not the most emotional and or social creatures we assume them to be driven by instict and primal needs mostly. So the assumption a snake would act a certain predisposed way is natural I believe. You wouldn't expect them to have mood swings and personality changes as much as say a dog.
Anyhow I'll be making a vet visit sometime soon to be absolutely sure there is nothing wrong even if it's unnessesary.

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A vet visit for what exactly?


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Originally Posted by CakeLike

Yes he is a baby still. But that's why he can squish his nose into the gap and I am compelled to stop it but a snake doesn't listen when I scold him obviously like my cats do ��.
He also stops moving suddenly while actively exploring. Then he sits completely still for a few seconds and quickly moves again.
Like his mind was beamed into another dimension for a while.
Since snakes are not the most emotional and or social creatures we assume them to be driven by instict and primal needs mostly. So the assumption a snake would act a certain predisposed way is natural I believe. You wouldn't expect them to have mood swings and personality changes as much as say a dog.
Anyhow I'll be making a vet visit sometime soon to be absolutely sure there is nothing wrong even if it's unnessesary.

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There shouldn't BE any "gaps" -at least none that are big enough for him to get much of his nose into. And you're right, "scolding" doesn't work on deaf pets. :rolleyes:

Snakes that are observed by potential predators (YOU) may stop moving, in hopes their natural camouflage keeps them safe from harm. Not an issue, & he's not brain-beamed elsewhere.

Snakes have more personality than you or many others might assume. They're not robots, nor are they as dumb as some like to claim- if they were, mine wouldn't remember me & remain tame without constant reinforcement, & yet, somehow they do. While they may not have "moods" & "emotions" the way WE experience them, they're still not robots.

Vet visit for no real purpose is LIKELY to make his stress WORSE, while not actually helping anything. Don't say you weren't told. But I'm sure a vet will cheerfully accept your money to look at him. It's not about a vet visit being unnecessary, it's about that visit making his issues (stress) worse, while also potentially exposing him to new pathogens (germs) while in the office. Ever notice that the best place for a human to catch the current flu virus is in the doctor's waiting room during flu season? Just saying. ;)

We’re all at different places in our journeys. I’m just hanging out with some popcorn enjoying the show. 😎

Best wishes with your BP.

I fed my ETB a small rat last night. I got home from work a bit ago and she's perched in the hunting position.

The Col Boa has not moved. Still laying in the middle of the cage completely exposed in the open.

The Bloods are mostly out of their hides stretched out.

I don't have the experince with reptiles to know if it's alright or not. And you can only make guesses since I cannot describe, nor show you the things I mean directly.
I also wanted to test a stool sample long ago and check for potential of respitory infection since some on this forum have also noted the possibility of signs of RI when I mentioned that he opens his mouth a couple of times a day, when he's not feeding also.
And that I can also not diagnose by myself.

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Originally Posted by CakeLike

I don't have the experince with reptiles to know if it's alright or not. And you can only make guesses since I cannot describe, nor show you the things I mean directly.
I also wanted to test a stool sample long ago and check for potential of respitory infection since some on this forum have also noted the possibility of signs of RI when I mentioned that he opens his mouth a couple of times a day, when he's not feeding also.
And that I can also not diagnose by myself.

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If he had an RI you would know by now, opening his mouth frequently is a sign of an RI but if there are no other symptoms then he doesn’t have an RI. If you don’t see any mucus coming from his mouth, mucus on the cage walls, labored breathing, or wheezing then he doesn’t have one. Like Boger said, don’t say nobody told you. As KMG said I’m also done wasting my time and effort on this. You say you don’t have experience with reptiles yet many people on here who do have experience have told you multiple times yet you still don’t listen. I hope your Ball Python lives a happy healthy life


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Originally Posted by Snow Balls

If he had an RI you would know by now, opening his mouth frequently is a sign of an RI but if there are no other symptoms then he doesn’t have an RI. If you don’t see any mucus coming from his mouth, mucus on the cage walls, labored breathing, or wheezing then he doesn’t have one. Like Boger said, don’t say nobody told you. As KMG said I’m also done wasting my time and effort on this. You say you don’t have experience with reptiles yet many people on here who do have experience have told you multiple times yet you still don’t listen. I hope your Ball Python lives a happy healthy life


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Ok, I'll say something else.

The above was said well but I wanted to add a snake with RI will NOT eat. If the snake had RI it would be to the point now that it would be obvious. Even to those of us on the other side of your screen.

That poor snake is going to go through a bunch of unnecessary stuff just to make you feel better. It's unfortunate and could actually create an issue with the animal. I can only imagine how you will act then.

Trust the snake and TRUST YOURSELF. Trust you are giving the snake what it needs and let it be. Don't try to figure a snake out and compare them to others. Each can be very different from the next.

You don't trust the snake. You don't trust yourself. You don't trust us. Will you even trust the vet?

Stop being a helicopter parent. Let the kid play.

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Originally Posted by CakeLike

Anyhow I'll be making a vet visit sometime soon to be absolutely sure there is nothing wrong even if it's unnessesary.

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Take him to the vet if you want some peace of mind, but like many others I'm done trying to reassure you if you're not willing to listen. My opinion is that your cup is too full. You've done a ton of research and filled your head with whatever BP information you can find, but when people who have real experience tell you to relax you essentially tell us we're wrong. This is no different than googling your own symptoms and then telling your doctor that they're wrong about your diagnosis.

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Originally Posted by CakeLike

I also wanted to test a stool sample long ago and check for potential of respitory infection since some on this forum have also noted the possibility of signs of RI when I mentioned that he opens his mouth a couple of times a day, when he's not feeding also.

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I've commented on this RI and "yawning" situation on your other posts. You're misunderstanding what people are telling you. No one is suggesting your snake has an RI but you, people have just told you that yes, frequently opening their mouth is a symptom, but with no other symptoms you shouldn't worry, and your response to that has been to continue suggesting that your snake has an RI. I have no idea what else to tell you here.

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Originally Posted by KMG

You don't trust the snake. You don't trust yourself. You don't trust us. Will you even trust the vet?

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I couldn't of said this better

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Originally Posted by CakeLike

I have studied about ball python keeping for over a year before getting him and now I am experiencing polar opposites of what I have learned about ball pythons and seen about them from other keepers I followed.

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Lastly, and I know these quotes are out of order but again I want you to understand why some of us are probably to you, coming off as a little rude. I'm super happy that you did a years’ worth of research before bringing a snake home. You did what many new keepers don't do, and that's why a lot of them end up on forums like this looking for help with issues that are common so believe me when I say, great job doing everything you can to learn about your animal before getting the animal.

Going back to my googling your symptoms comment. If you take your snake to the vet and they tell you the same things that we’ve told you, are you then going to tell them that you’ve done all this research so they must be wrong because they’re not fitting what you think you know? I don’t mean to sound abrasive, but I can tell you that I’ve kept reptiles for 10 years now, and there’s been plenty of things that I thought I knew. I’ve been fortunate enough to have the wealth of knowledge that are the users on this forum to correct me when I was off base, and to educate me when I needed it.

Anyway, take our advice, don’t take it, it’s up to you. Just trust that we have your snake's well being in the front of our minds when we're giving you that advice.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say that Ball Pythons aren't known for inconsistency.

It sounds like you've perhaps been given a lot of at least questionable and sometimes just plain bad info about the nature of Ball Pythons. I want to emphasize that this is NO judgment on you - I see this stuff all over the internet and on Youtube, and you certainly can't be faulted if your main sources of information weren't great. It's a judgment on the abysmal level of understanding out there about the cognitive capacity and behavioral range of all snakes. Because they are such a popular pet, Ball Pythons seem to bear the brunt of this lack of understanding.

Snakes in general are not just primitive, instinct-driven tubes with a limited behavioral repertoire. They are cognitively quite complex, intelligent, naturally curious, and very responsive to various types of training and structured behavioral activities.

Every individual snake is different, but Ball Pythons in general are on the shy end of the behavioral spectrum, and if you want to see what a BP can really be like, you need to work with them in a way that accommodates their characteristics - just as you'd work different ways with a dog or horse or turtle. They tend to be shy, so developing a trusting relationship with them can take time. They are largely crepuscular or nocturnal. They are not 'pet rocks'. BP are wrongly stereotyped as 'pet rocks' because they're often kept in minimalistic environments, with limited opportunities to explore and to develop (as demonstrated in research) the resilience, increased interest in exploration, and improved problem-solving abilities of snakes kept in more environmentally complex environments.

So if it's OK, I'll just highlight a couple of the bits of misinformation you've been given: "BPs are chill". Partly true, but often completely misunderstood. Like almost ANY snake, BP are chill once they are habituated to you. But first, BP are SHY. Their normal response to fear is to ball up, freeze, hide, or flee. This rather passive behavior makes a lot of keepers think their new snake is "chill" when it's really just demonstrating fear. Being 'skittish and jumpy' is a normal fear-based response that indicates your snake needs an opportunity to become habituated to you and to feel safe with you.

"BPs don't eat well and skip many meals". That's true of any snake in less than ideal husbandry conditions. In many ADULT snakes there may be spans of time determined by season or breeding state that include meal refusal. But in general, a baby/juvenile BP - and most adult BP - will only refuse meals if something is off about their husbandry. So that isn't a characteristic of the snake. It's an issue with the keeper.

You mention him suddenly sitting still in the midst of actively exploring, and gazing off into space. This is normal. All snakes do this. They will freeze up for a time without moving while assessing what's going on around them.

You've had your little snake for six weeks. That's nothing in Ball Python time, and every "quirky trait" you've mentioned sounds completely normal to me. So now is your chance to let go of some of the incorrect stereotypes you initially learned, and to take the opportunity to find out what these lovely snakes are really like. It sounds like he needs a chance to habituate to you. Once he stops being jumpy and skittish around you, it seems like he may be a curious and active little guy who would respond well to exploration and enrichment opportunities outside of his enclosure. But first he needs to feel safe and to learn that he can trust you.

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Originally Posted by Caitlin

"BPs don't eat well and skip many meals". That's true of any snake in less than ideal husbandry conditions. In many ADULT snakes there may be spans of time determined by season or breeding state that include meal refusal. But in general, a baby/juvenile BP - and most adult BP - will only refuse meals if something is off about their husbandry. So that isn't a characteristic of the snake. It's an issue with the keeper.

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While I agree with mostly everything you said, this is not entirely true. Spotty eaters are all to common in the BP world regardless of husbandry. I have multiple Adults and Juveniles who refuse often along with some hatchlings who refuse occasionally yet my husbandry is spot on. It just happens, even in perfect conditions

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Originally Posted by Snow Balls

While I agree with mostly everything you said, this is not entirely true. Spotty eaters are all to common in the BP world regardless of husbandry. I have multiple Adults and Juveniles who refuse often along with some hatchlings who refuse occasionally yet my husbandry is spot on. It just happens, even in perfect conditions

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Heard and understood. I should have said things more carefully! I DO think that the essentially shy and rather sensitive nature of BP may make them more prone to food refusals - they can be super sensitive to slight changes and shifts even in good conditions. So it certainly can't always be called bad husbandry. I just get frustrated with so many of the negative generalizations about these snakes, because it leads to new keepers having very unrealistic expectations or getting needlessly frustrated when their snake just...acts like a snake.

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Originally Posted by Caitlin

I DO think that the essentially shy and rather sensitive nature of BP may make them more prone to food refusals

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Most definitely, my picky eaters are my shyest BPs

I know I am very prone to overreact. But that's because I really acknowledge the responsibility I take on when I bring an animal into my care. I know I am the sole keeper who "decides" if the animal thrives or is on the brink of dying off. I take it very seriously. Too seriously at times. But I am the kind of person who rather makes sure everything is perfect beforehand instead of regreting things later I could have done differntly.
I do appreaciate the help. But I have also noticed a certain kind of aversion of vets in the reprile keeping hobby. There seem to be many keepers who don't trust vets and just think they are out for their money. At least I have noticed this more in reptile keepers than say people who own cats and dogs.
So that's why I take it with a grain of salt when people tell me not to go to the vet.

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Originally Posted by CakeLike

I know I am very prone to overreact. But that's because I really acknowledge the responsibility I take on when I bring an animal into my care. I know I am the sole keeper who "decides" if the animal thrives or is on the brink of dying off. I take it very seriously. Too seriously at times. But I am the kind of person who rather makes sure everything is perfect beforehand instead of regreting things later I could have done differntly.
I do appreaciate the help. But I have also noticed a certain kind of aversion of vets in the reprile keeping hobby. There seem to be many keepers who don't trust vets and just think they are out for their money. At least I have noticed this more in reptile keepers than say people who own cats and dogs.
So that's why I take it with a grain of salt when people tell me not to go to the vet.

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Many vets don't know much about reptiles. That's why. If you have a specialist near you consider yourself lucky as most don't. I'm lucky as I have Gulf Coast in Houston, another I know of way south of Houston and one way way northwest. I don't recall the name of the one south but the NW one is Paws to Claws.

Snakes are just not as common as dogs and cats plus they don't use vet services like them so they don't require vet visits every year. That means vets don't see many in many places. Out of all my snakes only two have seen vets in the past 10 years.

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Originally Posted by CakeLike

I know I am very prone to overreact. But that's because I really acknowledge the responsibility I take on when I bring an animal into my care. I know I am the sole keeper who "decides" if the animal thrives or is on the brink of dying off. I take it very seriously. Too seriously at times. But I am the kind of person who rather makes sure everything is perfect beforehand instead of regreting things later I could have done differntly.
I do appreaciate the help. But I have also noticed a certain kind of aversion of vets in the reprile keeping hobby. There seem to be many keepers who don't trust vets and just think they are out for their money. At least I have noticed this more in reptile keepers than say people who own cats and dogs.
So that's why I take it with a grain of salt when people tell me not to go to the vet.

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I think you’re misunderstanding us. No one has an aversion to vets, we’re just trying to make you understand the risks that come from unnecessary vet visits especially to vets that don't specialize in reptiles.

If I hurt my knee for example, I might go to my primary care doctor, but he’s going to refer me to an orthopedic specialist. Not because he knows nothing about knees, but because he doesn’t specialize in knees. Your local vet may know that a snake is a snake, or know a little about them, but realistically they may not be able to tell you anything that we haven’t and then you’ve wasted time, money, and stressed your snake.

Even if you do have a reptile specialist, I’m still not convinced that you wouldn’t just “take what they say with a grain of salt.” Again, stop messing with it and stop messing with its enclosure. I’d be willing to put money on you getting way better results doing nothing at this point than a vet visit. I just saw you made another post wanting to add a clean-up crew because you’re tired of doing a complete enclosure clean every month. Stop doing that? Why are you replacing substrate every month? Give that snake time to settle in, stop changing things and let him get use to his enclosure.

Well because you're supposed to clean the enclosure. I clean mine every month because of the bacteria and so on bit I put the items back as they where before.

I am only considering a specialist of course. I do have a vet in my area who also provides care for reptiles of local zoos.
I'm nor decided yet. For now I am watching how he does.

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Originally Posted by CakeLike

Well because you're supposed to clean the enclosure. I clean mine every month because of the bacteria and so on bit I put the items back as they where before.

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Obviously you’re supposed to clean the enclosure. Most people do it every other month and spot clean as needed. I’m not sure why it’s taking you 4 hours to clean your enclosure though


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Originally Posted by CakeLike

I know I am very prone to overreact. But that's because I really acknowledge the responsibility I take on when I bring an animal into my care. I know I am the sole keeper who "decides" if the animal thrives or is on the brink of dying off. I take it very seriously. Too seriously at times. But I am the kind of person who rather makes sure everything is perfect beforehand instead of regreting things later I could have done differntly.
I do appreaciate the help. But I have also noticed a certain kind of aversion of vets in the reprile keeping hobby. There seem to be many keepers who don't trust vets and just think they are out for their money. At least I have noticed this more in reptile keepers than say people who own cats and dogs.
So that's why I take it with a grain of salt when people tell me not to go to the vet.

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1. You "decide" whether your animal thrives or not. That is correct. If the animal is young and vulnerable and there is indeed nothing wrong, taking it to the vet is an added stress that can CAUSE issues.

I've taken animals to the vet before and I have 2 good reptile vets I trust. I drive 2 hours to get them to a good vet (the vets are in opposite directions). I generally bring a fecal when I first get an animal and while he/she is in quarantine. Have you thought of doing just that? Bringing in a fecal to have it tested? 90% of issues can be ruled out or in with a fecal.

I have to weigh in the risk and stress on the animal and whether it is worth it and indeed necessary. Reptiles can get sick, but most of the time it's because the keeper is doing something wrong. There can be injuries and illnesses, but most of the time, certainly in younger animals, it's keeper error. Further, not sure where you live, but even being in and out of a cold car this time of year can be stress.

We all have to deal with and weigh these factors. Right now, my basement/reptile area is being torn apart and re-done because of a sewage flood. My reptiles are cooped up in my office at 75F and not ideal conditions. This is stress, but I have no choice. I also know each one is healthy and happy and I planned on this. However, still a risk. I look at reptile care similar to fish/aquarium care except that most reptiles aren't as sensitive as most fish. However, we have to control their environment for them to live long and healthy lives.

I do not think reptiles need annual physicals etc. The stress does more harm than good. Further, many vets are not reptile specialists and if you don't know what to ask, this can add insult to injury because although they may mean well, again can do more harm than good.

We have tried to tell you it's probably fine and you could be creating a problem. That's not because we do not like vets, it's because we like your snake.

2. If you are spending 4 hours cleaning your tank, do your snake and yourself a favor and use paper substrate. It doesn't take me that long to keep 11 tanks clean - spotless. I use paper substrate. A big reason to use other substrates are decor/aesthetics and humidity. You have a small PVC tank now, but it's PVC. Humidity holds well. Use paper substrate. I do. Many others do, especially who keep multiple animals. Having one snake should not be a part-time job.

Well I am very thorough and I let the disinfectant stay on the items pretty long so it takes me more time to put the whole thing back together.