BP rubbed belly too hard, scale rot?! naw...

[Kaorte]

Isn't the ink in newspapers completely non toxic? I mean humans touch it for long periods of time every day...

[Mike Cavanaugh]

The idea that newspaper ink is harmful to reptiles is a wives tale. Newspaper is hands down the best substrate (and easiest) you can use.

[frankykeno]

Other than the ink temporarily staining your snake it's not an issue and non-toxic so it's a fine substrate choice. So is aspen, so are a number of other snake safe bedding choices. It's all about what works for you and what's safe for your snake.

[logan77]

good news all,

Logan is roaming around again, I guess she needed more temp. options after all.
inside hide box temp is 91.6(remember heating lamp still reflects a little on top). new hide boxes are medium sized half logs. black plastic ones just radiate heat waaaay too much.

cold side, right around the stainless steel water dish is 65

cold side inside other hide box is 70

middle cage temp is 78.9

she seems "happy". I got a rheostat to crank down that damn UTH heat. that thing spikes like nothing!

she's interested in her prey, which resides by her cage...but tried feeding last night, though more interested...we have an un-confirmed kill. I will try a frozen thawed one once the week is out.

her belly is fine. pinkish. but not irritated and she displays no discomfort when I touch it. she will remain on paper towels for a while applying neosporin every am.

skin looks fine, eyes fine, she's active(not a flight risk, I tested), humidity is 55%.

[logan77]

oh, and under basking lamp on log is 97. that's her sunning spot.

she seems to hang out in the middle of the cage.

[MiniJ83]

Lose the lamp. Snakes don't need to bask or have a sunning spot. They get all the nutrients they need from their prey.

A properly regulated uth should be all you need.

[frankykeno]

lol i was just using it as an example that when newspaper gets wet, the ink, very easily, transfers to another surface. like if you have an old newspaper on your counter, and you accidentally get it wet, or splash it, ink gets on your counter. it just makes sense to me, and i was just mentioning that i read that, actually on this site, i believe.

All it can do is transfer some harmless staining to your snake's belly. Might not be pretty but it's not toxic at all.

good news all,

Logan is roaming around again, I guess she needed more temp. options after all.
inside hide box temp is 91.6(remember heating lamp still reflects a little on top). new hide boxes are medium sized half logs. black plastic ones just radiate heat waaaay too much.

cold side, right around the stainless steel water dish is 65

cold side inside other hide box is 70

middle cage temp is 78.9

she seems "happy". I got a rheostat to crank down that damn UTH heat. that thing spikes like nothing!

she's interested in her prey, which resides by her cage...but tried feeding last night, though more interested...we have an un-confirmed kill. I will try a frozen thawed one once the week is out.

her belly is fine. pinkish. but not irritated and she displays no discomfort when I touch it. she will remain on paper towels for a while applying neosporin every am.

skin looks fine, eyes fine, she's active(not a flight risk, I tested), humidity is 55%.

Your cool temps are too cool. You want to aim for about 80-82 degrees cool side, 90-92 degrees warm side. No night drops, stable temps 24/7 365 unless you are actively breeding snakes.

[aahmn]

Another suggestion is to use different hides. Those half logs are too open and won't help them feel very secure.

[Kaorte]

roaming is not good. Your np should be hiding. You are still not providing proper temps for your bp. You need to ditch the half logs. They are useless and provide no security for your snake. Make changes and wait a week before offering food.