burn marks on my BP, Maybe.

[I-KandyReptiles]

this is the probe. Laying down right above the heat pad. the way it's set up.
I'm not trying to question your guys knowledge or anything, just trying to get down to why he's dehydrated.
And yess, ima take em in once I'm out of work.
I appreciate all the info, thank you.

The thermostat probe goes OUTSIDE the enclosure...

The poor thing is covered in stuck shed, which is probably why it's dehydrated

[klcanales92]

The thermostat probe goes OUTSIDE the enclosure...

The poor thing is covered in stuck shed, which is probably why it's dehydrated

got it. will do, thanks.
and that's what I don't get. I ALWAYS have the humidity up where it's suppose to be. :/ he shed one full half piece.(head >down..half ways) then started shedding again.

[I-KandyReptiles]

Are you using a circular hydrometer or a digital one to measure humidity.

[klcanales92]

Are you using a circular hydrometer or a digital one to measure humidity.

It's just a gauge hydrometer.

[mackynz]

Please get him to the vet and follow the advice here to correct your husbandry. That doesn't look like it would develop quickly, poor guy looks like he's been suffering for awhile.

Please please please take him to the vet, his belly could easily become infected.

[I-KandyReptiles]

It's just a gauge hydrometer.

And that's why he's not shedding properly. Analogs are not accurate..

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

I guarantee you that disc humidity gage is very wrong.... Pick up a roll of aluminum tape and secure the probe for your thermostat directly to the heat pad, underneath the tank. This IS how you're supposed to do it..


Go to Walmart, and in the do it yourself section near the tools, paint, etc... Look for the scales and thermometers... Get yourself what's called the Accurite weather station...It's a digital thermometer and hygrometer.
It's a few inches tall, grey, has a probe, and a large screen. $10-$12 max.. Many of here on Bpnet use these. They are great.

THIS is the probe you'll put on the heat pad INSIDE the tank.. Then put the unit itself on the cool side (yes the entire unit goes inside).. The screen will show you the hot side temperature (the probe, and it says outside temp on the screen) and it shows you the cool side temperature (the unit itself reads the cool side temp and calls it the inside temp) AND it give you a digital reading of the humidity..

It IS dehydrated regardless if how much water is in its bowl. Snakes rarely ever drink. They get most of their moisture from their environment and the food they eat. If you're slowly cooking your snake, it will be dehydrated.. Think about when you're sick and have a fever. You could drink a gallon of water a day and still feel dehydrated with dry mouth. That's because that 110 degree fever is burning you up and evaporating water within you.. Same difference, except the heat is not coming from within.

That snake needs to see a vet. Please do not put anything on that wound. That poor ball needs silver sulfadiazene cream and betadine soaks. If you put anything else on that area it will get worse.

Fix you husbandry, fix the snake, and you'll never see these issues again. Leave it like it is and it will be a constant thing.

[FireStorm]

I would bet that the reason for the two sheds close together was the burn. Snakes will shed more frequently when they are trying to heal a large injury. The burn may also be making it harder for him to stay hydrated...it's a large open wound that he's losing fluids through.

The reason people told you to set the thermostat temp higher than the desired temp is that they were expecting the probe to be outside the enclosure, between the UTH and the glass. If you put the probe inside the enclosure, the UTH will stay on full power until the temp where the probe is reads 98. The problem it compounded if the probe in the enclosure gets moved accidentally, or if it is placed slightly above the substrate. You end up with essentially an unregulated heat source. Remember, the thermostat is only reacting to the temp where the probe actually is.