Ball Python Not Using Hide

My Baby Ball Python hardly ever uses its hide. I used to have a shoe box in its tank for a hide. It went and curled up inside it sometimes during the afternoon but soon it started squishing itself between the box and the side of the tank. So last night I put in a half log hide(I know its not the best but I couldn't find the coconut hides) and it has been slithering around the cage all day.

Sounds like the poor little guy is stressed :(

What are your temps/humidity, etc?

I'm using a heat lamp on a 12 hour cycle turning it off at night and I just sprayed the tank this morning and I keep a towel over half the tank.

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Originally Posted by TheMolenater2

I'm using a heat lamp on a 12 hour cycle turning it off at night and I just sprayed the tank this morning and I keep a towel over half the tank.

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how are you measuring the heat & humidity?

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

this should help a bit ;)

I need to get some measuring devices but my store didn't have any.:(
Next weekend I'm going up to petsmart to get some aspen and I'll get some thermometers/hydrometers. What should I do until then?

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Originally Posted by lenastorms

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

this should help a bit ;)

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Thanks
It might the lamp that is bothering him because it is not infared.

i have to admit, i was having the same problem with my lil one and i changed to infrared about a week ago, and she still insists on "smooshing" up between the glass and hide

This should help too.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...=543688#543688

Maybe your hides are not tight enough for him. They like stuff they can just fit under.

Rick

I'm working on a tight hide right now, I got to clean it.

I just put in the new box, and it went in for a moment but then came back out and started climbing up the wall...:(

Sounds like he's just searching for a spot where the temperature and humidity are right, but can't find it. I wouldn't worry nearly as much about the hide as I would about the proper temperature gradient, and humidity.

I'll get some thermos and hygrometers as soon as possible. Now hes been curled up on TOP of the hide box.

I have a snake that doesnt like hides also, he moves in between the the tub and the outside of the hide.. Its the only snake I have that does this.. His hide is tight, temps are 93 on warm side and 89 on cool side, humidity is 55%... I dont use lamps, its like he prefers to stay outside of the hide... I would get a thermometer and hygrometer, if you go to wal mart they have them in the hardware section for $10 its a combo thermo,hygro with a probe. If temps humidity and using infa red doesnt do the trick I would just let the snake do its thing...

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Originally Posted by Mochelem

I have a snake that doesnt like hides also, he moves in between the the tub and the outside of the hide.. Its the only snake I have that does this.. His hide is tight, temps are 93 on warm side and 89 on cool side, humidity is 55%... I dont use lamps, its like he prefers to stay outside of the hide... I would get a thermometer and hygrometer, if you go to wal mart they have them in the hardware section for $10 its a combo thermo,hygro with a probe. If temps humidity and using infa red doesnt do the trick I would just let the snake do its thing...

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Thanks for the advice.

The fact that your snake is preferring to be squished beside the hide and the glass tells you that he needs to feel his hide touching him on all sides when he's in it in order to feel secure. Since he doesn't, he finds places where he CAN feel something touching him on as much of his body as possible.

Plastic flower pot saucers with an entrance soldered in them make awesome hides, even small plastic cereal bowls you can get at the dollar store do well for them.

I'm not sure if you mentioned the size of your enclosure - one that's too large can also stress him out as well.

Good luck!

Thanks. He is pretty small so he is in a 10 gallon so I don't think its the cage size. I made a hide out of a small container that is supposed to have butter in it. I washed it out and made a little hole in it. Next thing I know he is curled up on top of it!

I don't understand why pet stores sell all new owners a half log or half a coconut. They are over priced and under used. I go to wal-mart in the spring/picnic area and get 4 hard plastic salad bowls for 1.97. Then I use a small hole saw to drill 1"1/2 hole. Then I got a nice hatch-ling hide for fifty cents.

Well, I have recently started to have the same problem. My ball has been using his hides perfectly since I got him, but I fed him 2 days ago and he stays curled up outside of his hide all day, he just lies there. Do you know what may be the cause of this?