Trying to KEEP my BP healthy

[Eric Alan]

Also you mentioned that the tank is about 80-84 on the hot side, but the temperature needs to be very close to 90 degrees for a ball python (89-91 degrees). If temps aren't right it really deters bps from eating

Hold, please! The only reason the thermometer is reading 80-84 on the hot side is because the OP said it's not actually reading the hot spot and instead is reading the ambient temperature above the hot spot. Please don't advise higher temperatures when the actual temperatures are likely higher due to inaccurate measurement.

[Maxima]

Thank you very much to all! I am having a day off today and am getting a new tank for him that is bigger. However, for now I will have to keep him in the smaller tank so that he can feed before having to get used to another environment again. Thinking of waiting out two feeds. Also, the hopper rat may be slightly on the too large side. I used that size because he'd been fed that before, but the first feed, when he ate it, I could see the whole rat outlined on his body. Feet and all.
The tank may be getting a bit to cool on the hot side. To the touch, the glass is very cool. The bottom on the hot side is only slightly warmer than my hand. Today I am getting thermometers to get an actual reading of these surfaces.
I will close off the air conditioner vent for that room as well so it stays warmer in there. That should help keeping up the temp. Also I'll get an infrared light bulb for the heating so I can keep it on overnight. (Before I'd turn off heat lamp to maintain day/night cycle, but that caused the temp to go to 78 degrees. That's air temp above the hot spot. Cool glass.)
Getting pretty good ideas of what to do, just never sure if it's the right thing. That's why I appreciate your feedback so much.
By the way, he is almost done with his shed. Though it was a bad shed... No surprise.
I am quite surprised how much I am messing up with my poor Ball. Had a corn snake before and NEVER a problem. I guess the environment for my Ball must be much more adjusted because this is not normal environment for him here in Sacramento area.
Well. I am all set to fix everything. Your advice is much appreciated.

[Eric Alan]

The tank may be getting a bit to cool on the hot side. To the touch, the glass is very cool. The bottom on the hot side is only slightly warmer than my hand. Today I am getting thermometers to get an actual reading of these surfaces.

What kind of thermometer are you getting? I love buying snake stuff and am always curious!

[Maxima]

Hi Eric! Educational Sunday! I left some messages on Craig's List to get a 40 gallon tank ... Just don't think the fancy one that my husband was going to build, is going to happen soon enough. So I'll take the next couple of weeks to create a nice environment for right now. The 10 gallons make me feel horrible. That way, my husband can take his time and really get into his creative place after his existing projects are done. This will allow me to have a larger water container and 2 separate hides, maybe 3,
Plus a rock that allows him (Max, not my husband) to get closer to the infrared light if he wants to. I like the infrared light. This will allow me to keep the temp up at night. ... In the hot side.
A thermometer for the glass and the bottom did not happen. Just couldn't find anything like that. However, since I have the glass covered with the little felty terrarium carpet, there's just no chance he could get burned on that.

[Maxima]

I am nervous since my husband is building a wall and there is SO much noise. While I was picking up my stuff, the smoke alarm went off too. Ugh!

[Maxima]

On top of that, I will have to take Max out again tonight to clean up. He spilled too much water, and I don't want his nice new skin to get infected from too much moisture. He's pretty happy when I take him out though and very inquisitive again. For this week everything should be calm in the house. I'll let him complete his shed, give him another day of silence and try to feed him again.

[Maxima]

Also what's interesting: there are a bunch of YouTube videos that show how to feed frozen and thawed mice and rats. I didn't do it right. I just laid the hopper in the box and expected him to feed on it. I didn't wiggle it or offer it nose first. Maybe I'll drive a little further and get him fresh kill one more time. ... That was the only time he ate, when I gave him fresh kill. And THAT was 2 days after I brought him home, after he'd been out at the fair all day, touched by so many people, in a smaller tank than he's used to -- go figure.

[Eric Alan]

A thermometer for the glass and the bottom did not happen. Just couldn't find anything like that. However, since I have the glass covered with the little felty terrarium carpet, there's just no chance he could get burned on that.

Not sure where you're at, but try places other than pet stores for a thermometer. Hardware stores (Home Depot, Lowes, etc) have infrared temp guns in the $20 range that work perfectly for our application.

Also, just so you're aware, BPs are notorious for being able to find their way under their substrate (either burying down in bedding, or "tucking them self in" under carpet or paper towels). I wouldn't be comfortable with just a layer of cage carpet between your snake and a heat pad that's not being controlled by a thermostat. If you can move the carpet, chances are your BP will too.

[Maxima]

Thanks for the warning. I put another hide on top of it. He should be safe for the night. This hide is much heavier. I had meant it for the new enclosure. I may have enough time to look again to get a thermostat tomorrow.

[Maxima]

He has 2 hides now. Warmer and cooler side. I guess that's a change too ... I'd rather chance that than him getting underneath that carpet.