questions about new pastel

[ericarditti]

I just got a male pastel from a snake show in MD. Brought him home, set his cage up, have a hot side, cold side, water and one hide on each side. Since bringing him home on saturday, he hasnt really explored his tank. He sits balled up in the cool side hide. I dont know if its just him getting used to his surroundings or if he is still stressed about moving into his new tank? would like to know what you guys think? im new to this forum but it seems great so far! thanks

[RoseyReps]

Sounds like a normal bp I wouldn't worry too terribly much if all your husbandry is up to par. (as in, make sure the hot side isn't *too* hot, etc)
Good luck on your new addiction Hope he settles in and eats like a champ for you! Congrats and we need pics

[tdrusk]

Something I have found is that ball pythons are smarter than you think. Just give it space for a week and let it get comfortable.

After trying to encourage my bp to go on the hot side after spending all day on the cold side I just gave up. They are smart enough to regulate their body temps and know where they want to go.

[The Serpent Merchant]

What are you using to heat your tank?

What are you using to measure temperatures?

What are your current temperatures?

[ericarditti]

Im using an under the tank heater and its at Low 90s now. and i have one of the stick on thermometers from PetCo on each side to see the temp. I just thought it was odd because i have a bigger, older ball python who loves to crawl around and explore his separate cage. and i would love to post pictures on here but im not sure how lol if someone would like to explain how that would be great

[Royal Chick]

Also, if it is young try covering three sides of the tank with black construction paper. Put a towel over the top of the tank to keep humidity in (needs to be around 50-70%) and look into purchasing a thermostat if you are using an under tank heater. Warm side should be no less than 90F and cool side no colder than 80F. If he doesn't come out at all after a week try putting in balled up newspaper or adding some kind of decoration to make him feel covered and more comfortable. I also suggest getting an accurite thermometer at wal mart (it is an indoor/outdoor thermometer) Put the probe between heat mat and tank and set the reader on cool side to measure both temps. It also reads humidity. Hope this helps and congrats!!! We are picture loving people so SHARE!!!

[ericarditti]

I have two towels covering the top of the tank with room for the light to shine in. I have one of those thermostats under the aspen bedding on the hot and cold side so i can see the temps. i also have one of the thermostats for humidity and it stays around 55-60.

[The Serpent Merchant]

A thermoMETER and a thermoSTAT are not the same thing. A Thermometer measures temperature while a thermostat regulates temperature by varying the amount of power going to the heat source based on a temperature probe. Without any regulation a heating pad can and will get hot enough to kill your snake (130+ degrees) they are not optional.

Please read this thread, it covers proper cage heating. If your heating pad is unregulated your snake is probably staying on the cool side to try to get away from the heat: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Thermometers

Heating Pads don't change the temperature of the air in the cage so the thermometers that you have are 100% useless (not to mention that those type are notorious for being inaccurate) You need a probed thermometer to measure the heating pads temperature.

Good thermostats and thermometers are recommended in the thread I linked to above. Whatever you do don't buy the junk from pet stores, as it is just a waste of money.

[The Serpent Merchant]

How to post pictures: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...with-pictures)

[ericarditti]

ill look in to getting all of those, thanks