Another question. She won't sleep under her hide. Is this normal?

[stargazed85]

I'm a new ball python parent to a little girl named Kamasi. (I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but she's my first snake ever! I just want to be a great parent). She will not sleep under her hide for some reason. I have 2 hides. One on the cold side and one on the warm side. I also have a under tank heater and heat lamp on the warm side. The temperatures are just right. She sleeps right in the middle of the cage. Is this normal for her to do this? I thought they normally like to be basically hugged tight in a small dark place?

[xdeus]

It's normal. I'd say most Balls like hides, especially when they're younger, but not always. As long as she's eating and doesn't show signs of stress (aggressive behavior, active a lot during the day) then there's nothing to worry about.

[frankykeno]

Quick question first, what are the temps and what are you using to measure them with?

[stargazed85]

The hot side is 95F and cool side is 78F. I have the regular zoo med thermometers. I plan on getting digital ones this weekend. I understand that their much more accurate. I would also like to get a rheostat. I forgot to mention that I had a piece of drift wood in the middle with vines and that's where she was sleeping. Right behind the drift wood in the middle of the tank under the vines. Should I take those out? Any suggestions?

[771subliminal]

The hot side is 95F and cool side is 78F. I have the regular zoo med thermometers. I plan on getting digital ones this weekend. I understand that their much more accurate. I would also like to get a rheostat. I forgot to mention that I had a piece of drift wood in the middle with vines and that's where she was sleeping. Right behind the drift wood in the middle of the tank under the vines. Should I take those out? Any suggestions?

yea you for sure want atleast a reostat on your heat pad as they can get way too hot.

the drift wood and vines are fine i have the same in the middle of my tank, they just can be a pain to clean sometimes.

glad to see you picked out a name

[DeepSouthSerpents]

I would give her some time to get used to the enclosure if you just got her. Sounds like the hot side may be a few degrees too hot, usually you want it around 90-92 (someone correct me if that's wrong). I would try moving the heat lamp closer to over the middle of the enclosure or piling more of your substrate over the heat pad side. I agree with subliminal, those heat pads can get way too hot if you don't regulate them. I had one make bad cracks on one of my 60 gal's bottom glass. So I stopped sticking them directly to the glass, just left them underneath the tanks.

[Kaorte]

Your temps are probably off if you aren't measuring them with a digital probe thermometer.

What kind of hides are you offering? Are they tight fitting? How long have you had the snake? It usually takes new snakes a few days to feel comfortable enough to use hides.

[deltaneutral]

Don't trust those dial thermometers...
In the meantime, try setting it in the substrate under the hide and see what it reads, then add a few degrees.
I would highly recommend an infra-red heat gun for accurate surface temps.
You can get them for under $20.