Concern with BPs hiding place

I have the ball python's enclosure in question outfitted with two identical hides, paper towels for the moment, and a 93*F hot side and 87*F ambient air. I am using vision cages, instead of utilizing either of the hides he instead lodges himself on the lip above the window. The only reason that this bothers me is that I do not visually see him making using of the UTH for digestion.

Should I be concerned or will he get the heat when he needs to regulate himself?

Sounds like he feels more secure there than in the hides you've provided. I'd suggest changing the hides out to something more secure.

sounds like his hides are too big. Do they hug him tightly on all sides, when he is curled in his ball?

Yeah, we made them for him specifically out of clay. I'll try a few more hides over the next few days and see if that presents a change.

A picture would help :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CruelHerbie

Yeah, we made them for him specifically out of clay. I'll try a few more hides over the next few days and see if that presents a change.

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humm. is he in a high traffic area? they are expert escape artists. Mine will try, she doesn't stay up there. once she figures the lid isn't coming off, she moves.

I'm at work right now, but when I get home I'll throw one up. I should be home in roughly one - two hours.

ok. also, if he's a new baby, it could take him awhile to use the hides. I took some small cereal bowls and cut holes in them for mine. she didn't used them for a few days, but now she uses them all the time. :)

Hes been with us for a year now and with the guy we got him from for a year before that. I bet it is a hide issue and because my wife and I made them, didn't want to see it! Funny how pride does that! She even painted pretty little leaves on it ;). Looking at the medium hide boxes that Rich has up on reptilebasics.

Sounds a bit warm in there to me. I'd bring the ambient temp down some.

What would you recommend for ambient air 82*F-84*F? I haven't encountered any problems resulting from it, but willing to check it out.

Edit: Re-read the husbandry FAQ and will lower the Ambient.

87 does sound high. I shoot for about 80 or so.

I wouldn't touch the hides until a few days AFTER you lower the temps. I'll bet your snake has just been trying to keep cool and will use the hides when the temps are not quite so hot.

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/8420/photo1jij.jpg
By brettajones, shot with iPhone at 2009-03-31

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/637/photoo.jpg
By brettajones, shot with iPhone at 2009-03-31

Forgive the cruddy images, iphone = no flash.

Hi,

Could you use something like rolled up newspaper stuffed in the ledge to stop her being able to get there?

I did that once with a glass tank that had support struts in an awkward place.


dr del

I was thinking about that or using some kind of foam in a tube or maybe even just foam with double-sided tape. I think that he/she (need to pop him still) will be able to knock the news paper down, his midsection already doesn't fit up there (he does love his rat pups), but I'll try the newspaper as a temporary fix and then some type of foam insert.

Hi,

Yup, you have to find some way of holding it in place - but no tape please. :please:

Silicon sealant can be used but a hot glue gun would probably be even easier as it sets far quicker. That's mainly as you don't want him in the enclosure till it has cured.

But if you jam newspaper in tight enough you should be able to see if the idea has legs before going to all the trouble with custom shaping foam etc. :)


dr del

You crazy mods and your brilliant ideas. <3:8:

My albino could wedge himself between the wall of the cage and the light fixture in the top... put some toilet paper in there and no more of that. ;)

Update-

I placed rolled up newspaper in the lip last night, it fit quite snuggly and didn't require ANY type of adhesive. Upon waking up I went to check on the snakes and to my surprise he was snuggled up in one of the hides. I was worried for a minute because last night after I put the newspaper in place he was lying there looking at me with that, "I'll eat you in ten years." look, you know the one! Anyways, it didn't seem at that time like he was going to make use of either of them.

Thanks again you all and a big ol' thanks to Dr. Del