Really worried about Twist

[Twist]

Okay everyone.. I'm really lost. Recently I decided to go full out, since I got out of my dry spell. I upgraded from twists 34qt. 26.5" x 16" x 6 5/8" tub to a 16.8 gal. 43" x 19.5" x 6.7" tub. I've got 4 temperature probes in it. One on the hot side which measures the hide temperature. It reads 94 degrees constantly (I picked up a reostat from petsmart and finally got the temps. Down correctly) directly across from the hide is a rock I grabbed from outside. Its about half the thickness of a brick but its long and flat and is what I use for his basking area. The temperature probe on the rock usually reads 97 during the day and 94ish during the night. He's got another hide in the dead center of the tub, against the back of the tub (looking down at the enclosure) that also has a uth under it. Its the smallest of the 3 hides. The temp there reads 89-90 for some reason. The last thermo probe is in the far left side of the tub where his hide that's identical to his hot hide is. This one reads really low temperatures.. Like 65-70. And for some reason this is where he likes to stay. Ill pull him out and he'll be ice cold but as soon as I hold him for 5 mins he starts cruising all over me. Ill put him back in, and he goes straight back. I just moved into this apartment and haven't been able to get the heat turned on and don't really want to get a electric heater because of the horror stories about them owning electric bills I've heard. I sleep in the cold just fine but I'm worried about Twist. Could it be possible that he just likes the cold more so than a nice warm hide? He's been eating fine in this tub and doesn't seem stressed out. The only time I saw him nosing around the tub was the first night he was in it. Its got lots of fake flora in it so it doesn't seem so big. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! Oh yea lol the humidity usually hovers around 54 and those temps Are surface temps of the actual substrate.

[A.VinczeBPs]

One... Your setup seems way more complex than it needs to be.
My ADULT ball pythons are kept in a 34 1/2" x 16 1/2" x 5 5/8" And they have two hides, one on the hot, one on the cold.

Second. About the heat concern, if he likes that hide, move it to the warm side.
Are they all identical? If not, make them all the same size as the one he likes.

A picture of your setup would help, I'm tired and it sounds very over-complicated.

[Twist]

I've tried switching the hides. I know it sounds really complex but if anything I'm just giving him more than one choice for hot/cold spots because in the wild a BP isn't going to stay in the exact same spot for his whole life. I'll have to post pics in the next day or two because right now I'm using my blackberry and don't want to have to go through the trouble of trying to upload pics with it. I'm just curious if I've got a snake that likes the cold moreso than the heat.

[A.VinczeBPs]

They do not need that much choice. In the wild they do in fact stay in the same spot for most, if not all of their lives.

Too many choices will just stress them out, the same as too large of an enclosure. Is he an adult, or sub-adult, or juvenile?

That tank is too big for even an adult, and I think it would be beneficial for your ball python if you would add less options, and make more comfort.

I do not think it is normal for him to always be on the cold side. Even ones that prefer the cold...don't like it all the time. If he doesn't move, something is probably wrong.

[Twist]

He's still a juvenile. I don't think he's stressed out over the enclosure though. He cruises at night, eats properly, is very active around 4am. Just from around 11PM - 3am Ish he's on the cold side. I've seen him using the basking rock quite a few times. I switch daily from a 75wat reptibask CHE to a 75watt moonglo. I'm so stumped. Ill post pics tomorrow morning hopefully. I've got him out right now and he's cruising around under my shirt.

[A.VinczeBPs]

It's very big for a juvenile in my opinion.

Did he only stay on the cold side before you moved him? I assume not since you didn't have a problem before.

I won't argue my point though. You asked for advice, I gave you mine. Maybe you'll get different opinions tomorrow. I'm just trying to help the ball.

P.S. You might note that ball pythons don't bask on rocks in the wild. He likes it so much because he's cold and warming up fast so he can go back to where he is comfortable. Second, be very very very careful with a "basking rock" the temps (97 during the day) you listed are higher than a ball ever needs, and if it goes higher it could burn him.

We have care sheets on the site.....

[Twist]

I know. I'm not trying to argue. And he started staying on the cold side once I moved to this apt. He did this even in his smaller one. Thanks for the help though! I don't want to condemn him to a 1 hide, 1 bowl, enclosure. He's my only pet, and I'd like for him to have a few options for warmth - shelter.

[Twist]

Sorry. All of these posts are from my blackberry. No internet here yet and everyone (understandably) locks their wifi. But, here ya go.

Top left = cold side
Top right = hot side
Bottom right = basking rock with overhead CHE (reptibask in PM moonglow in am.)
In the center is his 2nd hot hide.

[A.VinczeBPs]

I can't see the hides well. I see the one in the middle, but he's not going in that one. All I see on the cold side is cover from the green plant things.
If he is indeed just hiding in the plants, then I'd assume it's because the hide I can see (middle, wood...hopefully a ball-friendly wood) has an opening that is fairly large, and is maybe not snug enough.

They like to be covered. They live in termite mounds in the wild, so really plants is just for your viewing pleasure.

If there are more wood hides I'm not seeing, I'd still cut the size a bit for a juvenile. To make sure they're nice and snug. And maybe add even more plant cover all around. If it works for him, go for it.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Ok--ball pythons hate to be out in the open, and your basking spot temperatures are too high. I'm actually surprised he's using the basking area at all... the fact that he is makes me wonder if the air temperatures in the cage are too low.

Air temperature in the cage (including the cool side) should never drop below 80F. Basking area temperatures should be at 90F to 92F, but it's unnecessary for them to be higher than that. Night and day temperatures should be the same.

Lose the rock, and give him a hide on the warm side of the cage. Use small, rounded, low hides that are just barely big enough for him to squeeze into completely--anything other than this is a less desirable shelter for a ball python. Lower the basking temperatures, and if necessary, raise the general cage temperature. While you're at it, make sure your humidity is at least 60% without the cage being damp.