A Little Confused

I’m a new BP owner and having a lot of trouble getting a straight answer. I can’t seem to get his temperature and humidity levels correct. Can anyone tell me what I’m doing wrong? I have a heating pad on the bottom of the cage and a heating lamp on the top, I also used to have a heating rock but since read that they aren’t a good idea so I removed it. He seems to be happy but never comes out of his hide….. The pet store that sold me him said that this should be enough heat but the temp is only in the 80s and the humidity I can’t get to stay above 30 or 40. Any help would be great :)
http://www.geocities.com/tammy_fillion/House.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/tammy_fillion/PB1.jpg

1.You should have two hides, one on the hot side and one on the cool side. They should be identical and small enough to make the snake feel secure. The snake should be able to touch all sides of the hide. You may want to get 2 of the medium sized Exo Terra caves, it looks like you have a large in the picture.
2. From your picture, it looks like the heat lamp is located far away from the tank?? If it is one of those clamp-lamp type fixtures, try to set the fixture directly on the screen, that way you aren't losing so much heat between the tank and the bulb.
The ground temp should be between 90 and 92 on the hot side. It looks like you have a thermometer with a probe, but I don't see from the pictures where it is located. I tape the probe to the glass under the hot side hide. This is where it should get teh 90-92 degree reading. The ambient (air) temperature on the cool side should not fall below 80 degrees. What kind of heat mat are you using? If it is one designed for reptiles (ex: zoomed, kritterz), you should be using a thermostat or a dimmer switch to control the temperature so that you don't run the risk of your snake getting thermal burns. If you are using a heat pad meant for people, go out and buy one that is designed for reptiles. If the ground temp isn't above 80, even with the heat lamp on it, try using a higher wattage bulb.
I have to make one more plug to get a thermostat. Constant temps are essential for a happy and healthy BP and proportional thermostats are the most reliable way to do that.
3. You need to raise the humidity asap. That along with low temps will lead to respitory infections. To do this, try taping off the majority of the screen lid. Here is a link explaining how to do this:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=32800
Also, you can try to switch to a coconut husk substrate (Bed-a-Beast, Eco Earth, etc..). It tends to hold humidity better. Aside from trying those two things, you can mist a few times a day.

Hope this is helpful. Good luck with your setup!

The only thing i would add too the above post is: Smaller enclosure that will make your bp feel more secure. I have switched to a smaller tub compared to my viv and my bp loves it, i think!

I just closed off a good portion of his top, misted and lowered the lamp...Its 83 in the hot and 78 in the cool. The humidity is now at 60 but not sure how long it will stay that high.
http://www.geocities.com/tammy_fillion/House2.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/tammy_fillion/Top.jpg

I have a thermometer on the back wall near the bottom of the hot spot, one near the cool and the probe is near the top on the hot spot

The temps need to be between 82-84 F cold and 92-95F hot side! We don't want him getting sick, now do we? Good luck! And congrats on the new ball!

Sorry i missed this part, yes my mat is designed for reptiles.

Thanks for all the info :) I'm just having so much problem getting the heat and humidity up...

It is pretty difficult to get them right in a tank!! Don't worry you will get it right. :gj:

Is there anything else i should buy to get the heat and humidity up? Aside from the heat mat and lamp that i already have.

I would put the probe under the heat side hide. Use a spray button to mist the aquarium. I think I see a tape thermometer on the back glass. These are not very accurate at all. I would go with all digital thermometer. I just picked two up at Walmart for 11.88 each.

A rubber maid and binder clips!! But that is if you don't care for what he is in. I will find you a link..

EDIT: it was at the top oof this page..lol.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=32800

Yes i have the tape thermometer just because i had got it awhile ago and left it in the tank, but i also have two digital thermometer

I'll have to go out and switch his substrate to a coconut husk substrate and switch his big hide to two small ones to see if that helps any

Temp seems to be coming up a lil, hot is now at 86...cool at 80 and humidity is staying around 55

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TammyF

Is there anything else i should buy to get the heat and humidity up? Aside from the heat mat and lamp that i already have.

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As you might know, the incandescent bulb dries out the air a lot. If your heat mat was capable of maintaining good temps on its own, then that would allow for high humidity levels. A great thing to do is add moistened Peat (Sphagnum) moss in and around the hides in your tank. This along with cypress mulch (or fir bark) has given me great success. Another thing to do is cover the area, surrounding the heat lamp, with saran wrap. This plastic wrap will keep moisture and heat in.

Cool, it takes time, but you'll get. This site got me through what your going through.

Thank you all for your help :)

The pet store that sold me him didn't give me very accurate information when i asked the questions prior to buying him. He simply told me that a heat rock in my tank would give out all he would need. He also said that all he needed was 1 hide and a water bowl......and he said he's had snakes for 25 years...

Your not the only one :mad:

Its awful that in the end all these pet stores care about is selling the animal rather than assuring that the owner is well informed. :mad:

Yea. selling the aniaml and a bunch stuff you don't need, like heat rocks. I don't think those things are good for anything.

You can try to cover three sides of the tank with this 1/4 inch foam board that they carry in the art supply section at walmart. That helps to insulate the tank and also provides some more security for your BP. Might bring the temp up a few degrees.

Thank you all for your suggestions :) Here is he's new setup

http://www.geocities.com/tammy_fillion/NewHome.jpg

Heat and Humidity now seem to be fine. :D

looks good except for the hides. they really should be identical. your snake will prefer one over the other and that will force him to make the choice between security and thermoregulation which can be a problem when it comes to digesting food.