New Baby Ball Python - Humidity/Dehydration issue?

[mdgillispie]

Hello again everyone! Sometimes I think I sit here and admire my new little baby just to find something that makes me wonder if everything is alright.

So, here is my new question...

Since I purchased her from Petco on April 25, 2015. If you've followed any of my other posts then you're probably aware that she wasn't eating for about a month before I purchased her. Since I've had her, she's eating f/t hoppers every 5 days with no issues (although she doesn't strike or constrict prey). She seems to be gaining a little weight which I am proud of, but I have seen a few wrinkles in her skin near her head. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I've read that this could be a sign of dehydration. I have been misting her cage twice daily and catch her drinking often.

I guess my question would be if this seems like dehydration to you all or if maybe she may be in very early stages of a shed? If it is dehydration, what might I do to try and get her 100%? I've read to soak and keep misting, but I wanted to ask for your opinions before I did anything to possibly stress her out. I've included a photo below in which you can see what I'm talking about a little bit. Thank you all in advance!

[Mr. Misha]

Usually if the eyes of snake are dented, it's a good sign of dehydration. If you provide water in the terrarium and provide proper humidity she should be fine. Also, did you buy her today? Because you wrote April 25th. Just a thought.

[mdgillispie]

Ok, I don't see any denting. I may just worry too much, but just wanted to make sure.

Do do you have any low-cost ways to bump the humidity or should I just keep misting? Thanks!

Also, I made a mistake on the date lol I actually purchased her on April 15th.

[Mr. Misha]

From the photo, she looks good.

I'd suggest damp sphagnum moss. You can put it in the hides where your BP spends most of her time.

What kind of enclosure are you keeping her in?

[mdgillispie]

Ok, great! Thank you for the compliment. I think I just worry because I purchased a pastel on April 13th from Petco and the poor guy didn't even last 48 hours.

I have been wanting to get moss to boost the humidity so I will go and grab some when I get paid.

I am keeping her in a 10 gallon glass tank with a screen lid which I why I've been worried about the humidity. Thank you for your feedback.

[Mr. Misha]

I'm sorry to hear that...

Check out this sticky regarding glass terrariums: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=201740

When I had a glass tank, I used plexiglass squares I bought at my local hardware store. That way, the heat and humidity aren't escaping as quickly.

[Albert Clark]

Ok, great! Thank you for the compliment. I think I just worry because I purchased a pastel on April 13th from Petco and the poor guy didn't even last 48 hours.

I have been wanting to get moss to boost the humidity so I will go and grab some when I get paid.

I am keeping her in a 10 gallon glass tank with a screen lid which I why I've been worried about the humidity. Thank you for your feedback.

What you can get to boost the humidity is a "versa top". It's a glass top that folds and comes with a plastic attachment that slides onto the glass edge and fits the tank perfectly. You can put the ventilation holes into the plastic and put your screen top over the versa top with your clips. That's what I used to house my bp's when they were youngsters. I have a petco pastel female who is 16 months old and is one of my better feeders. Good luck.

[mdgillispie]

Wow! Thank you all for the information. That sticky thread was very informative.

I will also look into the versa top. I've never heard of that before! I'm so thankful for this community!