Ball Python Soaking?

[Zincubus]

Even with the thermostat regulating it? I have it set for 90 degrees Fahrenheit. He's been balled under there before with no issues. For like four days straight he lived in that hide.

Sadly the thermostat just gives an approximate reading - it has to be adjusted by you - using a decent thermometer...

I'd get a digital temp gun for ten dollars as soon as possible then adjust the thermostat accordingly.



Even one of these for 3 to 4 dollars off eBay will suffice for general use after the stat has been set up correctly.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[mischiefneko]

My temperature gun should arrive tomorrow. But I'm still certain that it isn't temperature that is bothering him. As I imagine he would've been doing this a month ago and not a month and a half down the road. Still no sign of mites.
I moved his water bowl to the warm side, after turning it down to high 80s so I don't cook him. Then put in a second bowl for the cold side, in case he got too hot. I know you guys said not to, but he is so much happier. I was concerned he was cold, and it was to the point he wasn't moving. Not at me opening the drawers of my dresser that he's on, not gently rubbing his side. The only thing I could do to get him to move was booping his snoot.
He is still in his warm water bowl and he is scoping and looking around. Watching me curiously. Acting normal. Still not leaving his bowl, but he's moving around. He has to be close to shed, to me that's the only logical explanation.

[Zincubus]

It's an interesting one ..

I'd get some pure white kitchen roll / paper and let him slide through it , then check the paper very carefully for mites ..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[mischiefneko]

Okay, according to the temp gun, his cool side is 75. And with the lowered temperature on the warm side it's 86. But that's after I lowered it to not cook him in his water. I do have another snake next to him, so I may move Jasper's warm side to be next to his to warm it up a bit.
I have changed his water, with no signs of any bugs in it. Nothing moving. I've wiped him with a paper towel, I've wiped him with a clean white washcloth. No spots or anything. And he isn't irritable like I've read they tend to get with mites. And he's still eating, which I read they won't.
So I have no idea what's going on.

[mischiefneko]

The sides and back of their tanks are blacked out so they can't see each other! I don't want you guys to think my snakes are trying to kill each other or anything. I'm a good snake mom (or I try to be)

[mischiefneko]

Everything is okay now? I just came home and he's mostly coiled under his warm hide, with his head and a few inches of 'neck' sticking out. So I guess he's going to shed soon.
Actually as I type this he's actually came out and exploring his tank like nothing happened. So I've raised his warm side back to 90 degrees.
Jeez. Baby boy made me worry for so long.

[Bogertophis]

And he's like, "Made you look! hahaha!" Snakes! can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em...

[mischiefneko]

And he's like, "Made you look! hahaha!" Snakes! can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em...

That's so scary though! I'm used to my sand boa and his habits. I read up on ball pythons FOREVER before getting one. I've never read about them doing that! So I was panicking! Now he's acting fine and I'm just at a loss for words.

[Bogertophis]

I know how you feel...I think most of us do!

I think we have to remember how limited their cages really are, as far as temperature variations. I suspect they crave some
cooler temps. now & then than most keepers offer. We've decided what's right for best results but they have more options in
the wild.

[mischiefneko]

He must be messing with me. He was out and about for a few days. Sleeping in his hides and exploring. I thought all this was over. THEN I fed him last night and he's back in his bowl. All day today.
WHY LOKI!? Why do you stress your mother so?!