Questions about my new ball python

[Kaorte]

For a snake that size, a baseball cap as a hide is way way way too big. You want something that fits them snugly on all sides.

[Patricia]

If it was a small dent, I would lick it occasionally for several minutes and it would pop right out. I licked it regularly for about 10 minute and then applied and then ever so gently I sucked it out... I know it sounds totally crazy but the first time it happened I had a thought pop in my head about the qualities of saliva and thought it might soften the eye cap.

I'm still kinda new to snakes. Is this a common practice? Or is it as freaky to others as it sounds to me?

[Kaorte]

I'm still kinda new to snakes. Is this a common practice? Or is it as freaky to others as it sounds to me?

No this is not...I would not recommend licking your snake...Salmonella...

Just use a wet pillowcase. Has the same effect.

[Aiion]

Yeah, I thought it was the saliva's properties that softened the cap enough to pop back. If that were so then the information might have helped someone but being that is not the case I feel a little silly. Oops...it happens

Here is a pic of Soku's habitat. I plan on darkening 3 sides but I'm afraid of causing too much change at once for the little guy so I am going to wait a week or 2.





I am also going to get a digital thermostat and hydrometer but for now I am using a digital for temps every day. I am now using a heating pad which on medium setting is staying a steady 93-94 degrees on the warm side and around 80 on the cool side. I have 2 humidity gauges that read about 10 degrees different. The high has been a steady 60 and lower reading gauge 50.

Thanks again for all of the advice.

[abuja]

Yeah, I thought it was the saliva's properties that softened the cap enough to pop back. If that were so then the information might have helped someone but being that is not the case I feel a little silly. Oops...it happens

Here is a pic of Soku's habitat. I plan on darkening 3 sides but I'm afraid of causing too much change at once for the little guy so I am going to wait a week or 2.





I am also going to get a digital thermostat and hydrometer but for now I am using a digital for temps every day. I am now using a heating pad which on medium setting is staying a steady 93-94 degrees on the warm side and around 80 on the cool side. I have 2 humidity gauges that read about 10 degrees different. The high has been a steady 60 and lower reading gauge 50.

Thanks again for all of the advice.

Get rid of the half log and baseball caps. Ball pythons enjoy being hugged on all sides. Try the exo terra reptile cave; look it up on google. My bp absolutely loves it!

What kind of substrate is that? Most commonly used and best substrates are generally cypress mulch, newspaper, and aspen. Newspaper is very easy to use.

Umm, the warm temps COULD be a little lower, generally around 89-91.

Between 50 and 60 is very good.

You should most likely change the cage size to a smaller cage, a 20 gallon is probably too big for such a little snake.

p.s. You have a beautiful pastel!

[Aiion]

It's healthy Pet Colors Pet Bedding. It absorbs 3 times it's weight and is non toxic. It says that it is reptile safe and recommends feeding outside cage to avoid ingestion. I find that it absorbs then distributes the humidity evenly. Leave package open for a while before changing bedding so it doesn't lower humidity initially. It is super easy to spot clean and quickly absorbs waste. I personally love it and Eden seemed quite comfortable once I made the switch. Little Soku seems comfortable as well. As for the log, he likes to use it to travel from side to side but if he changes his mind i have no qualms about removing it. Kind of wanted to actually but I get the feeling removing it would be stressful for him.

[cinderbird]

those analog temp and humidity gauges are known to be WAY off (over 10 degrees in either direction) so your temps may not actually be what they say they are until you get your digital probe.

Also, human heating pads are a touchy subject. Personally, I would not recommend a human heating pad for heating a reptile cage because that really isnt its purpose (to be used in a low air flow environment 24/7), I'd use a reptile under tank heater or flexwatt and a reliable, quality thermostat.

[Aiion]

The heating wires are completely insulated and should never be exposed to air. Especially since it will rarely be moved. The temps are not high enough to cause any heat damage and the temp stays very steady. The warm side I measure under the hide, since that is where Soku spends most of his time. it covers exactly half of the tank bottom and is kept underneath the tank. I did wander about stress from the larger tank but have seen none of the classic signs...or even any that may be unique to him. I used my logic to overcome some of issues that I see with traditional care and research intently until I am satisfied with my choice. I also spend much time observing so that I am aware of anything that may be bothering him and what he prefers. I am always happy to add to the quality of care but rarely take away after some time if it is working well.