Is it normal for a snake to be cold?

[TheLaughingDemon]

Hello I have two normal ball pythons, a nearly adult male and a juvenile female. As expected she has been very active, while the older male is mostly dosing in his log and soaking in his tub during the day, the juvenile female is up and about, exploring every inch of her vivarium and constantly falling off her branches. Thing is, when I sometimes pick her up, she is very cold because she spends most of her time away from the heating pad side, ( I'm sure it's not too warm because she used to hang out on the heated side all the time) she'll go in her log from time to time, but she'll mainly stay out in the open. In any case, is it normal for a ball to be cold when you pick them up?

[JeffJ]

she will not thermal regulate if she feels exposed. sounds liek she is searching endlessly for a place to hide. try gicing her a few nice snug fitting hides. one on the cool side and one on the hot side.

the male sounds like he might have mites or is hiding in the water because it makes him feel safe as he feels it touching all his sides.

[ScottyDsntKnow]

Don't use half logs as hides, they don't provide proper security and an active snake like that crawling around is likely looking for a better spot to hide. Also what are your ambient temps in your tank? They should be 80-85F and she shouldn't feel cold to the touch in that environment. Post pics of your setup if you can.

[wolfy-hound]

Actually, the snake will feel cool to the touch, please remember that our body temps are MUCH higher than a ball python is supposed to be. Unless the snake has been basking under a lamp, it normally will feel cool to your touch. Check your temps with a digital thermometer, or a tempgun to see exactly what temps are at, both warm and cool sides.
Constant roaming can mean she needs a more secure hides, so you might want to find a tight dark hide, that encloses her. A flowerpot with a door knocked in it, and overturned can be a cheap easy hide. Even a plastic bowl with a doorway cut into it will do.

[DutchHerp]

Our internal body temperature is higher, but our fingers are usually in the mid to high 80s. When I pick up my snakes out of their warm hides, they feel warm to the touch (when I measure their temperature they're about 90*.

It sounds like you're not measuring temperatures.

You will need to measure your temperatures and adjust them accordingly with a thermostat or rheostat.

Pictures would be very helpful.

[ScottyDsntKnow]

Our internal body temperature is higher, but our fingers are usually in the mid to high 80s. When I pick up my snakes out of their warm hides, they feel warm to the touch (when I measure their temperature they're about 90*.

It sounds like you're not measuring temperatures.

You will need to measure your temperatures and adjust them accordingly with a thermostat or rheostat.

Pictures would be very helpful.

Agreed. If your animal feels COLD to the touch then you aren't providing the right temps. My ambients are always around 83 and my girl feels warm every time I pick her up.

[Kaorte]

Our internal body temperature is higher, but our fingers are usually in the mid to high 80s. When I pick up my snakes out of their warm hides, they feel warm to the touch (when I measure their temperature they're about 90*.

It sounds like you're not measuring temperatures.

You will need to measure your temperatures and adjust them accordingly with a thermostat or rheostat.

Pictures would be very helpful.

THANK YOU!!! Our hands are no where close to our core body temp of 98.6*.
People constantly use the "If the the UTH is warm to the touch than it is too hot" and "if the water is warm to the touch than it is too hot". I always check my temps with a heat gun anyway, but I can use my hands to get a general idea of the temp.
My snakes are always warm when I pick them up out of their hides.


OP: The constant cruising sounds like stress to me. Can you give us some details on your husbandry (temps, heating elements, how you are controlling and measuring temps, setup, etc.). This way we can help you to make your BP's more comfortable in their enclosures.

[DutchHerp]

THANK YOU!!! Our hands are no where close to our core body temp of 98.6*.
People constantly use the "If the the UTH is warm to the touch than it is too hot" and "if the water is warm to the touch than it is too hot". I always check my temps with a heat gun anyway, but I can use my hands to get a general idea of the temp.
My snakes are always warm when I pick them up out of their hides.

I'm always bothered when people bring that up, but it's always too late to correct them.

I generally take the temp of my hand, and put it in the water. Then I guestimate if it won't be too hot.

[akaangela]

A temp gun is a very useful tool. She sounds like she is stressed (like everyone else said). It sounds like you are housing them togeather. She might not be able to get to a comfortable warm spot if the male is hogging it all. You might want to place her in her own home.

[TheLaughingDemon]

A temp gun is a very useful tool. She sounds like she is stressed (like everyone else said). It sounds like you are housing them togeather. She might not be able to get to a comfortable warm spot if the male is hogging it all. You might want to place her in her own home.

Noooo, they have their own tanks, V's a 35 and Valium's a 25 gallon. I'm going to try to get/make a new hide and see what happens...