Burrowing

[LoNeSt4r]

My baby ball discovered that she can burrow through the substrate and now does this instead of curling up inside her hide. Is there any environmental reason they do this?

[Kinra]

If you are using a heat pad, she could be trying to get closer to the warm spot. They also use rodent holes in the wild, so it could be closer to "normal" for her. I wouldn't worry about though, my boa does it all the time. She sits with just her head sticking out.

[Skittles1101]

No, it's instinct. They burrow in the wild, all of mine do (except the ones on newspaper).

[LoNeSt4r]

I knew it was their instinct but i just thought i'd ask. She doesn't always burrow over the heating pad, but she is currently right over it lol. I'll just keep an eye on her.

[cmz1234]

Quick question. Do you have anything controlling the heat pad (ie thermostat or dimmer)?

[LoNeSt4r]

Not for the heating pad, no. It doesn't seem to get very hot. Most of the heat is from the 150w infrared heating lamp (this has a dimmer switch).

[Skittles1101]

.................heating pads get very hot. How are you measuring the temps?

[LoNeSt4r]

I have touched the heating pad with bare skin and it was barely warm to the touch. And a digital thermometer to measure the heated side. Without the heating lamp and the STH warmed up for a full day, the heated side never got above 88 degrees, which is when i started focusing on the heat lamp.

[SpencerShanks]

Mine likes to move all the substrate off of the area above his heat pad as well, so I've just stopped putting substrate there when I switch it out. If he wants it there he'll put it there XP

[Skittles1101]

I have touched the heating pad with bare skin and it was barely warm to the touch. And a digital thermometer to measure the heated side. Without the heating lamp and the STH warmed up for a full day, the heated side never got above 88 degrees, which is when i started focusing on the heat lamp.

Something even remotely warm to our touch would have to be over 98.6 degrees..which that alone nevermind warmer is far too hot for a snake. I can't stress how much you need something to control that heat pad...