What was my snake trying to do?

[armbarvictim]

I was just handling my little guy and he seemed to be fine just chillin with me, and he opened his mouth as if he was yawning and then closed it after a second. He wasnt facing me but it kind of creeped me out, was he yawning or was he looking for some grub? what are your thoughts?

Also another question. I have a UTH installed on the side of the viv where his hide is. I have yet to see him burrow at all in the past few days since I acquired him but do i absolutely need a dimmer switch and this temperature probe for it? I have a hygrometer and a stand alone thermometer in the viv so the ambient heat is just fine.

[Derrick13]

He was probobley just yawning, they tend to do that.

Yes, you do. UTH's can fry a snake if not regulated by a dimmer or thermostat.

[armbarvictim]

can someone please post a link of an appropriate probe thermometer so I can take a peek. The thermometer I have is digital and has a suction cup to attach it to the side of the viv. can i simply stick that to the bottom of the glass or does there actually have to be a probe touching the glass?

[pavlovk1025]

can someone please post a link of an appropriate probe thermometer so I can take a peek. The thermometer I have is digital and has a suction cup to attach it to the side of the viv. can i simply stick that to the bottom of the glass or does there actually have to be a probe touching the glass?

http://www.petsr4u.com/prodimages/ac...URITE00891.gif

Buy it at walmart for 12 bucks, attach the probe to the glass above the UTH on the hot side, put the actual thermometer on the cool side. Get Hot/Cold temps + humidity.

[armbarvictim]

much appreciated, I will pick it up tomorrow afternoon. Should I unplug the uth until then or should I be okay? and also what should the uth temp be under in order to prevent frying my baby?

[pavlovk1025]

much appreciated, I will pick it up tomorrow afternoon. Should I unplug the uth until then or should I be okay?

Should be fine until tomorrow I think, just bunch up the substrate over the UTH so it's thicker.

[tbowman]

http://www.petsr4u.com/prodimages/ac...URITE00891.gif

Buy it at walmart for 12 bucks, attach the probe to the glass above the UTH on the hot side, put the actual thermometer on the cool side. Get Hot/Cold temps + humidity.

I would like to add that this is not the best for larger snakes. My Burm ripped the probe cord right out of the thermometer.

[pavlovk1025]

I would like to add that this is not the best for larger snakes. My Burm ripped the probe cord right out of the thermometer.

I would like to ask, because I am curious, as to how your burm ripped a probe cord out when the 10ft long cord is long enough to retain slack and not get ripped out? And how frequent of an occurence is it? I just want to know because that is the only thermometer I ever see recommended and sworn by.

And Id like to myself add that the advice is geared to a BP owner, but thanks for the input? Good to know I suppose.

[Vypyrz]

There is also a sticky in the DIY section on how to modify the Accu-rite so that it has three probes and you can then mount the base unit on the outside, especially if your snakes are like mine. I swear I think in the Serpentine language, Accu-Rite means toilet...

[redstormlax12]

I was just handling my little guy and he seemed to be fine just chillin with me, and he opened his mouth as if he was yawning and then closed it after a second. He wasnt facing me but it kind of creeped me out, was he yawning or was he looking for some grub? what are your thoughts?

My ball python does the same thing from time to time. Alot of the time it isnt much of a yawn, but they're realigning their jaw.