Beginner ball python

[StevenV]

Hi, I recently got a ball python about 1 month and a half ago and i have noticed that i have to go spray my snakes cage very often and it never seems to stay at a good temp. Every time i go in, it is about 30% and i spray it to 60% and about 20 mins later it is down again. I have a headlamp for night and day and it seems to lower the humidity a lot and i think that a lower heat pad will help better. My snake eats very well once a week but never seems to come out of his home. The only time he comes out is at night and he rarely goes out at night now. He is very active when i take him out, but i am afraid for his health because the humidity is so low and i go to school from 6:30 am to 4:00 pm and i cant do anything about the humidity. I also do not know what type of bedding to use. I have a bedding that is made of some type of pineapple residue so if the snake eats it it will not harm the snake. The bedding doesnt seem to hold humidity well but it may be because i am using a headlight not a heat pad. Thank You for your help i apreciate it!

[Aztec4mia]

Never heard of pineapple bedding but can you post a picture of the cage it is in or describe it in detail, that way we can better advise you what to do to fix it. Until then get a plastic tuber ware or box big enough for the ball python to fit in it comfortably, cut an opening on the side and fill it with damp sphagnum moss so he can retreat into it when he needs some more humidity.

[iCandiBallPythons]

Ditch the heat lamp and get a under tank heater (uth) and be sure to use a thermostat to control it. Lamps will suck the humidity out.

[StevenV]

Im sorry but what is te easiest way to upload a pic? It says i am not allowed to upload the image of my snake's tank.

[iCandiBallPythons]

Im sorry but what is te easiest way to upload a pic? It says i am not allowed to upload the image of my snake's tank.

Upload to photobucket.com copy the IMG code and paste here

[StevenV]

Here is my snakes current tank with the day light on.

[Lolo76]

Yeah, ditch the lamps... BPs don't need cycled/supplemental lighting, plus an under-tank heater is better for their digestion. And lamps just suck that humidity right out! The screen top will also dry things out, so consider covering it partially with foil or a towel. FYI: Tubs are much better for humidity, but the above is what you need to do with a glass tank.

[Lolo76]

On a side note (in looking more at your setup), you probably shouldn't have such a tall branch in the tank... Ball Pythons are notoriously clumsy, and with their heavy bodies a fall can be damaging. Just a thought - otherwise the tank looks good!

[StevenV]

Thank you very much i will try to get the supplies as soon as possible. And do you think i should take out some of the branches and replace them with something else?

[Jeo123]

Also, fyi, putting your thermometer up top is going to give you bad results, especially if you're using a heat lamp. The air temperature directly below the light could be close to 100 while the temperature where your snake is could be significantly lower.

You're going to want the thermometer closer to where the snake is going to be living.