HELP! Temp Help!!! and other things

[GZpunk]

ok well i got a ball python from a friend that has resently moved i had the snake in a 30 gal (the snakes still a baby longer than a foot and as wide as a querter) but i moved her to a 10 gal becuase other sorces said to have her in a smaller enclosure. now when i got her i did go to the pet store and spend all the money i have at the moment on a large water dish(so she can soak if needed) a heat bulb and bedding, the store i went to didnt even carry the digital temp readers. so i didnt get one plus i was running low on money. so for the past 2 days she was in a 30 gal and seemed to be heated alright i mean i feel a good amount of heat when i put my hand in the tank. but in the process of moving her to the little tank i broke the bulb so now her 10 gal tank setup is aspin bedding(i also have little wood chippes in the large tank) she has a water dish and a cardbord box where she hides(its plenty dark but id rather have something that keeps more heat anyone have an idea?) i heat it by a regular 75 watt light bulb witch to me it seems to do the job its always hot in the tank and i have a moist rag under a fish light to buld up humidity. now most the time the tank does have liquid on the walls is that good? and unless the snake is laying right under the light she is kinda cold on touch is that ok ort should she always have a worm touch? and she has also not eaten for a month (i know its not a big deal but shes small) i have tryed mice she doesnt want it i have tryed a pinky mouse and pinky rat doesnt want them eather(i have done so with all alive and with others frozen thawd) she also wipes her head on things like shes scratching her head for some reason. and she opens her mouth like shes yawning too kinda often is that normal?

[Skittles1101]

Hi and welcome, I suggest looking over this caresheet:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

As you read through threads on here you'll find that a heat light is not the most ideal heat source for a snake. Also, reading temps with your hand that runs about 98.6 degrees at any given time is also not suggested. 100 degrees will not feel hot to your hand, but is far too hot for a snake. I suggest getting a UTH (under tank heater, or heat mat) and a thermostat. Since you are short on money I will post links to a few cheaper options.

First is a digital thermometer/hygrometer. This one can be found online or at Home Depot/Lowes or even Walmart. It's cheap and accurate. You place the unit on the cool side, the probe on the hot side, and it reads both temps as well as humidity all in one unit.
http://www.amazon.com/Chaney-Instrum...8162503&sr=8-6

Second is a UTH. They carry them at most pet stores, usually ZooMed or Zilla or the sorts. Make sure it's one for a 10 gallon tank, and only covers 1/3 to 1/2 of the bottom of the tank.

Third is a cheap thermostat. It's $26 shipped from Amazon.com. I've had some good success for such a cheap thermostat, and think it would work best for your situation.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...8162613&sr=8-1

I stress the thermostat (not thermometer) because UTHs get VERY hot, and can burn your snake since they usually favor the hot spot.

The scratching her head could be either mites, or if she's going to shed they will do that sometime. I'd be sure to check her thoroughly for little black specks, can be found in the water, if she's soaking a lot that can also be a sign. Check around the her heat pits and eyes. IF she has mites, I suggest PAM (Provent a Mite), nothing works better than this product.
http://www.pro-products.com/index.ph...d=53&Itemid=59

Keep a very close eye on the yawning. If she's doing it a lot I believe that can be a sign of a respiratory infection. Check for bubbles coming from the nose, mucus coming from the mouth, "drooling" and other signs like that. I hope this helps! I know your kind of strapped for cash, but these are necessities for these animals if you want her to be healthy and "happy" (as happy as a snake can be?).

Again, welcome to the site

[Crazy4Herps]

^ What she said.

[OtterGoRun]

It definitely sounds like you have some temp and humidity problems. Follow the above advice to get on the right track. Your snake will probably start to eat once everything is corrected. Snakes are NOT cheap to set up, but they are pretty darn cheap once you have everything. If you can't afford to set up the snake properly, maybe try and cash in on some early b-day presents from other people to get the supplies you need or find someone who can afford to keep it properly.