BP acting up and trying to escape ( pics )

[51-50 Python]

Okay heres the story.. I live in Los Angeles and these last couple of days its been gettin really hot like 96 degrees.. and my home air conditioning hasnt been working right so i turned my BP's heat light off so it wouldent get too hot in the tank.. the temp's went down but then my BP just kept trying to escape after like 30 minutes of having the light off.. it usually only tries to escape at night time but this time it was day.. and then it climbed up onto the light bulb and wouldent come down for like 20 minutes.. so i reached into the tank to try to get it and it started coming towards me and it looked like it was trying to strike.. so i stepped back and it moved so much that it fell off the lamp and hit its water bowl.. any1 know whats going on?

[starmom]

How are you heating the tank? I don't see a thermostat! Also, you need to offer the snake 2 identical hides, one for each side of the tank (the cool side and the hot side). Also, how are you measuring the temps and humidity? I don't see a thermometer/hygrometer.
Looks like a stressed snake.....

[51-50 Python]

How are you heating the tank? I don't see a thermostat! Also, you need to offer the snake 2 identical hides, one for each side of the tank (the cool side and the hot side). Also, how are you measuring the temps and humidity? I don't see a thermometer/hygrometer.
Looks like a stressed snake.....

okay all you did was critisize and didnt answer anything..

# 1 - are you blinde? do you not see that big light bulb its hanging from.. thats how im heating the tank

# 2 - im measuring the temps with a stick-on thermometer which u can also see on the right side of the tank..

my question was why is my BP all of a sudden doing this? because i turned the tank light off or is it because its getting too hot?

[starmom]

okay all you did was critisize and didnt answer anything..

# 1 - are you blinde? do you not see that big light bulb its hanging from.. thats how im heating the tank

# 2 - im measuring the temps with a stick-on thermometer which u can also see on the right side of the tank..

my question was why is my BP all of a sudden doing this? because i turned the tank light off or is because its getting too hot?

Relax.... asking the questions I asked has helped to answer your initial question. Just chill
I did see the light bulb and since now I know that it is your only source of heat, coupled with the thermometer at the top of the tank, I'd say your snake is trying to get warm.
You're measuring the temps at the top- heat rises- the light is off- and the snake has no belly heat.
Here's what I will suggest and you may take it as criticism though I mean it as helpfulness:
1- please provide belly heat for your snake; they need it for good digestion.
2- please control that source of heat with a rheostat or a thermostat.
3- please provide an accurate measure of temps and humidity by putting a digital display thermometer/hygrometer in the bottom of the tank.
4- please provide the snake with 2 identical hides; one on the cool side and one on the hot side.
It is my experience that once you have upgraded your husbandry skills, the snake will no longer be 'trying to escape'.

[kc261]

Well, Starmom did respond to your question by saying it looks like your snake is stressed. Then she went on to make comments about your enclosure that might help identify the source(s) of stress.

Actually, she said it in reverse order, but the idea is the same.

Almost everyone who posts on bp.net with "why is my snake doing this" will get lots of questions about the set-up their snake is living in. That is the only way people can accurately identify what might be going on with your snake.

Probably no one will ever know for sure why your snake did that on this particular day. But it does seem to me likely to be related to stress. So if that is all the answer you want, you've got it. Otherwise, I'd suggest you answer Starmom's questions and a few more.

Is there anything to prevent the snake from climbing on the lamp when it is turned on?

Are you aware that those stick-on thermometers aren't considered accurate enough? Also, the temps need to be measured where the BP is, on the substrate (or even under the substrate since they will borrow down in sometimes), in the hides, etc.

Do you have anything to measure humidity?

Your BP will feel more secure, and you'll also have fewer temperature fluctuations if you cover the back and the sides of the tank. Darker colors will make the snake feel more secure, something insulating will help with the temps more.

[waltah!]

Relax.... asking the questions I asked has helped to answer your initial question. Just chill
I did see the light bulb and since now I know that it is your only source of heat, coupled with the thermometer at the top of the tank, I'd say your snake is trying to get warm.
You're measuring the temps at the top- heat rises- the light is off- and the snake has no belly heat.
Here's what I will suggest and you may take it as criticism though I mean it as helpfulness:
1- please provide belly heat for your snake; they need it for good digestion.
2- please control that source of heat with a rheostat or a thermostat.
3- please provide an accurate measure of temps and humidity by putting a digital display thermometer/hygrometer in the bottom of the tank.
4- please provide the snake with 2 identical hides; one on the cool side and one on the hot side.
It is my experience that once you have upgraded your husbandry skills, the snake will no longer be 'trying to escape'.

That's everything I was thinking before I read it so....X2 With proper husbandry your little guy will probably not try to escape. If he likes to climb, then get him a branch....just make sure that he can't get to the heat lamp when it's on. Mckinsey was not giving you a hard time, but needed more info to answer your question.

[Sunny1]

From the pics here are my concerns with your enclosure:

1. If that were my enclosure I would be highly concerned that the snake could get burned from that light being inside the enclosure. If that is your only source of heat, then that light is on a good deal of the time, and they get HOT!! And snakes don't register contact with high heat like we do. If we feel something hot, we pull away quick, snakes won't. Hence the reason that heat rocks are so bad (for example).

2. Those stick on thermometers don't do anything but measure the temp of the glass. If you were to put a finger on the glass where that stick on thermometer is, it would affect the temperature reading. Plus you should measure your temps from ground level, where the BP spends most of its time.

3. Definitely give your BP 2 identical hides and at least cover up 3 sides of the tank. He is way too exposed in there with not enough cover. Those half logs aren't the best hides for your snake.

4. Ditto on starmom's post.

5. The tank seems too tall for a BP. They need more floor space as opposed to vertical room.

6. Definitely get a good hygrometer in there to measure your humidity.

[Patrick Long]

well, Ill assume the light has been off for the last couple of days? you said you were in LA, im in vetura its been butt hot.

No need to get all ruffled bro, just read what they have to say, combine knowledge with your own, all will be good.

(and for the record, I do not use "two identical hides" never have, never will)

[bigballs]

5150, you ask for help and get defensive and rude when people try? your setup is horrible. straight up. get that heat light out of there right away and invest a few dollars in a digital thermometer because those stick on ones are garbage.

you obviously dont want to listen to anyone and i really dont want to help someone with your attitude so just read this: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=56846

hopefully it helps you out and helps you manage to keep your snake healthy.

[starmom]

5150, you ask for help and get defensive and rude when people try? your setup is horrible. straight up. get that heat light out of there right away and invest a few dollars in a digital thermometer because those stick on ones are garbage.

you obviously dont want to listen to anyone and i really dont want to help someone with your attitude so just read this: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=56846

hopefully it helps you out and helps you manage to keep your snake healthy.

Thank you for externalizing my internal voice