I Need Help (Unplanned rescue)

[tttaylorrr]

I haven't yet. I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking her enclosure is way too big. The closest thing I have to that right now is a 20 qt sterelite container that I can convert into a cage. Which I think will work better than what's she's in now and at least let me quarantine her better. It'll also be easier to keep humidity up in a smaller space. I'll set to washing the container and drilling the holes right now. (I was using this to hold some supplies for my tarantulas, just some empty never used breeding boxes and the like.)

sounds like a plan! keep us posted.

[Razzledazzy]

okay this is the 20 qt sterelite container I have here. would that be okay or do I need something larger/smaller.

[tttaylorrr]

okay this is the 20 qt sterelite container I have here. would that be okay or do I need something larger/smaller.

my only concern is that, with so much height, it might be hard to heat/regulate temperatures. besides that, it's definitely the right step!

[Razzledazzy]

Would it be better if I placed it on it's side?

[tttaylorrr]

Would it be better if I placed it on it's side?

if you can make it work, absolutely! just be sure the tub is escape-proof!

[Razzledazzy]

She seems to be inquisitively poking around now. I'd put some cover in but I want to clean it first and I wanted to get her into a sterile environment asap. They had the thermometer probe taped to the BOTTOM of the heat mat outside the tank. OTL.

[tttaylorrr]

They had the thermometer probe taped to the BOTTOM of the heat mat outside the tank. OTL.

the thermostat probe should not be in the enclosure; the thermometer probe can be inside, however.

the thermometer probe and thermostat probe placement should look like this:

[Razzledazzy]

Ah! Gotcha! I use a rheostat with my other so I'm new to the thermostats.

[Razzledazzy]

Okay since husbandry is out of the way right now (I just need to add a thermometer/humidity gauge tomorrow after the shops open). She's got stuck shed and also what looks like a scratch from trying to rub against something to get the shed off. I'm leaving her in a high-er humidity enclosure for now and hoping it might loosen enough for her to get it off on her own since I don't want to cause her any more pain.

[MR Snakes]

1. How long have you had your ball python?

Two hours

2. How old (or how big) is your snake?

She is said to be 4 years old but I have my doubts about that. I'd say she's about 2.5' long.

3. Does it eat on a regular schedule?

She ate on sunday

4. How long since its last meal?

see above

5. What type/size prey is being offered?

rat pups according to her previous owner

6. How often do you offer food?

I plan to weekly

7. What type and size of enclosure does it live in?

it's about 2.5 x 1.5 feet long. Which seems overly large for her size.

8. What are you using as substrate? If it has depth, how deep is it?

Currently paper towels. She was on absen of about an inch. Plan to switch to coconut fiber.

9. What type of heating do you use?

UTT. Two mats sized for 10 gal enclosures to cover the larger tank size.

10. Do you use a thermostat to control temperatures?

Yes.

11. What do you use to measure/monitor temperatures?

Laser surface temp reader and a thermostat.

12. What are the surface and ambient temperatures in the enclosure?

surface is 70 on the cold end and 87 at the high end. I've bumped up the temperature as well as the room's thermostat.

13. What is the average humidity level?

I have no way of knowing. She didn't have humidity gauge and I'm in the process of acquiring one cause I assumed she would come.

14. How many and what type of hides does the snake have?

One is corkbark half and the other is... a shoe. I'm not sure about the shoe folks.


15. Is water readily available at all times?

Yes.

16. Does the snake live alone or does it share the enclosure with anything else?

Alone.

17. How often and for how long is the snake typically handled?

Infrequently but she's not shy.

18. Does the snake have any medical history (old injuries or illnesses)?

Not that I know of.

19. Do you have any other reptiles? Have you brought in any new reptiles recently?

She is the new one, I have one other BP boy and she's in a separate room.

20. Is there anything specific or unique about your situation that we should be aware of?

I think her container is too large for her size.

Glad to see you are getting things dialed in. But I think you might have a first with one of your other BP's!