Just want him better!

[LokiMamaz]

I use the Hydrofarm Jump Start Thermometer. It's around $30 and you can get it off Amazon with Prime shipping. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NZZG3S..._mCPNwbCQ4XBRT (If you do not have Prime membership, sign up for the 30-day free trial and then cancel it when you're all done.) I've been using it for a year and while it's not perfect, it works well for what you pay for.

Contrary to what someone else said, you do need around a 90-93 degree hot spot in the cage. 80-85 ambient temperature is good and he'll be fine with that until you get the thermostat.

The loose skin and the cloudy eye caps were just stuck shed. The humidity in his cage before you got him was too low. If it happens again or there is still some shed left, soak him in slightly warm water and boost the humidity in his tub until it's gone.
0.1 Super pastel

Thanks much! All of you have been very informative and helpful and I appreciate it to the fullest. I was so worried that he was already too far gone but super happy that he already looks alot better. I am going to order the thermostat this week and I may need some help in setting the tub up and properly connecting everything.

This forum is the best place I could have found! 😊

[LokiMamaz]

Just get one that is similar in size to his current hides. Snakes usually don't get stuck in hides as they're quite flexible and believe me, they can squeeze through tight spaces.

0.1 Super pastel

Right now I have a log but it's open on both ends...I HATE it! LoL...takes up alot of space and I don't feel like he's secure enough.... gonna find him a more secure one today. 2 hides correct? ?

[Kimchi~]

Right now I have a log but it's open on both ends...I HATE it! LoL...takes up alot of space and I don't feel like he's secure enough.... gonna find him a more secure one today. 2 hides correct? ?

Yup! Two! I use the hides from reptile basics and just ordered two more yesterday! For a three foot ball I think the medium would work well. My BP is 41 inches, about, but she's had the medium hide ever since I got her when she was 18-20 inches? You could just get a third hide and stuff that with moss, but a little plastic container is cheaper. And I'm curious, how are you measuring ambient temp, heat pad temp, and humidity?

I forgot to say, good for you for taking him in! I'm glad you took him in before he got sick or anything. Don't stress out about him too much, snakes are pretty hardy animals.

0.1 Super pastel

[200xth]

Contrary to what someone else said, you do need around a 90-93 degree hot spot in the cage.

No, you don't, if the ambient temps are high enough.

There are large breeders with no hotspots. They just keep the ambient temp in the mid 80's.

My hotspots in my rack are only 87F to 89F, and the house temps are down in the 60's or low 70's most times.

[Kimchi~]

No, you don't, if the ambient temps are high enough.

There are large breeders with no hotspots. They just keep the ambient temp in the mid 80's.

My hotspots in my rack are only 87F to 89F, and the house temps are down in the 60's or low 70's most times.

Point taken. I still recommend 90-93 hot spot, but what works for your snakes works, eh?

0.1 Super pastel

[LokiMamaz]

Yup! Two! I use the hides from reptile basics and just ordered two more yesterday! For a three foot ball I think the medium would work well. My BP is 41 inches, about, but she's had the medium hide ever since I got her when she was 18-20 inches? You could just get a third hide and stuff that with moss, but a little plastic container is cheaper. And I'm curious, how are you measuring ambient temp, heat pad temp, and humidity?

I forgot to say, good for you for taking him in! I'm glad you took him in before he got sick or anything. Don't stress out about him too much, snakes are pretty hardy animals.

0.1 Super pastel

Someone mentioned ziploc storage container but I just tried to make a hole with my soldering iron and it feels sharp and ridgy.... I don't want him to get hurt trying to go in. ... any better way to do this because it came in a set of 3.... I have 2 more lol... btw I am also glad I took him in because I am loving my new buddy LOKI.... and look forward to learning more and as much as I can on him. Right now I have no thermostat or dimmer so I'm going to keep my room at 80-85 until I do then I'll plug up everything. I have thermometer and heating pad but no thermostat and don't want to burn or overheat him.

[Kimchi~]

Someone mentioned ziploc storage container but I just tried to make a hole with my soldering iron and it feels sharp and ridgy.... I don't want him to get hurt trying to go in. ... any better way to do this because it came in a set of 3.... I have 2 more lol

Got any sandpaper on hand? You could just stick some moss where his hide is and keep it moist, too. He won't have the choice if going in and out as he wants, but it's the next best thing if the separate container idea doesn't work.

0.1 Super pastel

[LokiMamaz]

Got any sandpaper on hand? You could just stick some moss where his hide is and keep it moist, too. He won't have the choice if going in and out as he wants, but it's the next best thing if the separate container idea doesn't work.

0.1 Super pastel

No sandpaper lol....but I moistened his moss and put it in his hide.... question?? His substrate is cypress mulch and it feels moit in his enclosure..is that norm?? Also, he keeps burrowing and messing it all up.. is that norm?? Does he like or not like?

[Kimchi~]

No sandpaper lol....but I moistened his moss and put it in his hide.... question?? His substrate is cypress mulch and it feels moit in his enclosure..is that norm?? Also, he keeps burrowing and messing it all up.. is that norm?? Does he like or not like?

Do you have a hygrometer? The cypress mulch in my bin cage is barely moist, but not bone dry. It should not be wet, however. The burrowing is pretty normal. Just get a hygrometer soon. I use the Acurite one.

0.1 Super pastel

[wolfy-hound]

You can cut the "door" in the tupperware so it is bigger than his biggest part of his body. Then he won't get stuck. Stuff some damp moss in and bingo-bango, you have a humid hide.

I'm glad to hear the snake has a new owner who really cares about him. Don't worry, you'll get all the stuff right and then he'll be a healthy pet for many years to come.