Dehydrated or getting ready to shed

[dr del]

Hi,

I would recommend the digital acurite weatherstation with probe - you should be able to find it for about $12- $15 and it will be a lot more reliable than the little dial gages. Sadly we have found those to be extremely inaccurate on occasion - the other peoblem with them is people stick them half way up the cage wall rather than in the hides where the snake actually spends it's time so the real temps from the snakes point of view can be way off.

I would definately start the no holding period now and, while you could offer in three days in his tank if you like, don't be surprised if he doesn't take it.

If you plan on feeding live you should plan ahead for refusals and have a little critter keeper, water bottle and food on hand for the weaned rodents.

If you feed frozen remember you can only re-freeze a maximum of one time as after that they tend to split and stink to high heaven.

Make sure the little guy has nice tight, snug fitting dark hides to make him feel secure as well.

He probably is drinking but the best way to try and rehydrate them would be soaking them as described previously and that would also stress him out a little so I'm not sure it's all that good an idea just now.


dr del

[jaybird0399]

on that setup do you use a uth and also the uth i have is attached to the glass tank so i will need to get a new one any idea on whats best i am planning on setting this up tomorrow morning so trying to get all my stuff straight tonight. Where do you place your digital thermometer on this setup thanks for all your help

[RichsBallPythons]

on that setup do you use a uth and also the uth i have is attached to the glass tank so i will need to get a new one any idea on whats best i am planning on setting this up tomorrow morning so trying to get all my stuff straight tonight. Where do you place your digital thermometer on this setup thanks for all your help

I use flexwatt in my racks. Just when using the UTHs that stick dont stick them, tape them so you an remove them when upgrading cages. And the thermometer probe you want to put on the tub in the warm side so it will read the warm side temps.

I personally attach the accurite thermometer probe directly to the Flexwatt to read the temp of the Heat, and i keep room heated to 81.

[jaybird0399]

thanks for all the help i will be getting everything setup tomorrow and get her moved in as soon as i can

[dr del]

Hi,

I actually like to move the probe around a bit at first when setting everything up.

Firstly I put it inside the tank directly on the bottom surface above the heatmat under the substrate as that is the hottest place the snake can get to. So I make sure that is about 93-95f.

Then I move it above the substrate inside the warm end hide and adjust the type/ depth of substrate until it reads 90-93f in there.

Then I check the temps inside the cool end hide to make sure they are around 80-82f.

That makes sure the snake can move around and still find all the temps he needs.

After that I tend to either spot check with a temp gun or leave the thermometer probe inside the warm end hide just to keep an eye out for fluctuations.

The thermostat probe however I tape to the surface if the UTH between it and the base of the enclosure or sitting behind the tub if there is enough room.

I then adjust the thermostat until I get the desired temps inside the cage - this normally means the thermostat has to be set a bit higher but that doesn't matter and with the probe outside the enclosure the snake can't mess with it and cause problems.


dr del

[jaybird0399]

Thanks alot Dr Del, and Flameethrower. I made all the changes you guys recommended and my ball is doing great now.

[nixer]

Thanks alot Dr Del, and Flameethrower. I made all the changes you guys recommended and my ball is doing great now.

thanks for posting back. many many times someone comes in here with an issue and then they seem to disappear. while we always want to hear a good outcome sometimes its not so good im glad everything worked out and its looking better

[BPelizabeth]

If you have a UTH and your temps are fine...then you do not need the light. It will just give you a hard time with your humidity. To me...and keep in mind there are MANY more ppl on here with more experience. She looks like she is a little dehydrated and HUNGRY....HUNGRY!! Also in the front she looks like she is getting ready to shed but from what you have stated...I kind of doubt that.

Like everyone said and I know it is hard to do....leave her alone for 1 week and then feed her. Right now with how she looks try to feed her now. They do also get some of their hydration from eating as well.

Hope I helped a little...good luck. Cute baby by the way!!

[jaybird0399]

Alright everyone i changed all the stuff got everything good to go i am getting ready to get rid of my light. but so everyone knows i left her be for a week after i got it all right and i fed her this morning and it took about two minutes and she was all over it. the was a very small piece of bedding on it (aspen) will it hurt. i took the advice and fed in the cage. any thoughts. thanks for everything just glad she is eating and is getting better couldnt have done it without all the people on here thanks.

[jaybird0399]

Also since i just got her i havent named her yet any Ideas?