Care question

[pythonownerguy]

I just bought a ball python and this is my second one. However, I think something is wrong. I have aspen down as the substrate and i periodically spray water to keep the humidity in check. For some reason, it rather curl itself around the temperature and humidity gages and not have anything to do with the substrate. Also, I walked into the other room and when I came back, there was some white stuff in the cage as if it vomited it up. I got it before its next feed so it would be easier to transport but when i went to get a hopper for it, they were closed on sunday and the nearest place doesnt have any in. I know for a fact that its been about 2 weeks since its last feeding. Is there something wrong with the snake ??

[Alexandra V]

Hanging on the temperature and humidity gauges (I'm guessing you're using those round stick on ones - yes?) Is somewhat normal in the first while, because the snake is insecure and exploring the habitat to familiarize itself.

*On a side note, those temperature gauges are useless. Investing in a temperature gun or digital thermometer with a probe is inexpensive and infinitely more accurate.*

The white stuff you saw, was it like a little white rock? Those are urates, which are the solid form of snake urine and is totally normal and healthy. Snakes are capable of excreting both liquid and solid urine.

2 weeks without food is far from the end of the world. Wait until the next scheduled feeding and don't disturb him more than you have to for cage maintenance, and see if he takes the food. If he does, great! If not, I'd double check all the temperatures and humidity.

[decensored]

Above post is bang on

[llovelace]

Welcome to bp.net

Does he have 2 hides in his enclosure?
Does he have a heat pad with thermostat?

[pythonownerguy]

Thanks for the replies. The tank does have a heat pad but side mounted, not under it. My last tank I had it under it. I have a hide but its too big for the tank so im taking it back tomorrow and getting one of those fake log ones unless they have a smaller cave type.

The humidity for some reason doesnt wanna stay above 40% and Im not sure why. I know I cant keep spraying water into the tank all the time.

The white stuff wasnt a urate. It was milky white and in a liquidy form kinda like a mucus. I removed it immediately and moved the aspen around.

As for the heat, I have a side-mounted heat pad and a dual bulb fixture resting on the top of the 20 gal tank. a 50w red bulb and a 60w daylight bulb. But for some reason, the humidity will not stay above 40%. Any ideas ?? PS, the thermometers i have are the stick on round ones

[Alexandra V]

Thanks for the replies. The tank does have a heat pad but side mounted, not under it. My last tank I had it under it. I have a hide but its too big for the tank so im taking it back tomorrow and getting one of those fake log ones unless they have a smaller cave type.

The humidity for some reason doesnt wanna stay above 40% and Im not sure why. I know I cant keep spraying water into the tank all the time.

The white stuff wasnt a urate. It was milky white and in a liquidy form kinda like a mucus. I removed it immediately and moved the aspen around.

As for the heat, I have a side-mounted heat pad and a dual bulb fixture resting on the top of the 20 gal tank. a 50w red bulb and a 60w daylight bulb. But for some reason, the humidity will not stay above 40%. Any ideas ?? PS, the thermometers i have are the stick on round ones

Personally I highly recommend ditching the heat bulb and putting the heat mat under the tank. Heat bulbs DESTROY humidity which is probably why you can't get it above 40%. I also highly recommend getting digital thermometers with probes to replace the round stick-on ones. Much more accurate for getting surface temperatures. Also, do you have a thermostat or rheostat to control your heat mat and bulbs?

As for the white stuff, it could have been mucous so I'd keep an eye out for signs of a respiratory infection and make sure the humidity gets above 50% regularly. It could also have been sperm if the snake is old enough to be producing sperm plugs.

In my experience, the cave hides are much, much better than the log hides because they won't mold, are easy to clean and offer more security.

[pythonownerguy]

Well the ball is still young so it couldnt be sperm. Its no thicker than my middle finger lol.

As for the heat, I dont have any thermostat that controls the bulbs or mat and didnt have one in my old tank. Is it possible the bulbs are too close and therefore throwing off the humidity ?? Im going tomorrow to get a hide cave and probably another heat mat to place under the tank. I'll look for the digital thermometer. I read a post where an Accu-rite digital thermometer and humidity guage is sold at walmart so I might check up on that. If I could find my smaller cave from my previous BP, I would use that.

[pythonownerguy]

Well the ball is still young so it couldnt be sperm. Its no thicker than my middle finger lol.

As for the heat, I dont have any thermostat that controls the bulbs or mat and didnt have one in my old tank. Is it possible the bulbs are too close and therefore throwing off the humidity ?? Im going tomorrow to get a hide cave and probably another heat mat to place under the tank. I'll look for the digital thermometer. I read a post where an Accu-rite digital thermometer and humidity guage is sold at walmart so I might check up on that. If I could find my smaller cave from my previous BP, I would use that.

[llovelace]

You can make a small hide using plastic bowls from the dollar store, I also suggest getting a thermostat for the heat mat(s), you don't want to chance your snake getting burned.
The lamp is sucking out the humidity in your tank, and it's really not needed if you are using a uth.
You can cover 3/4 of the tank lid with a piece of cardboard or plexiglass to help hold in humidity.

[RestlessRobie]

We covered the top of the tank with Plexi $10 or less at Homedepot drilled several holes in it for airflow and ditched the lights except the tank light fixture and the IR red but it is so high it really isnt heating the tank the kiddo just likes to see him at night. UTH with Thermostat is the way to go thanks for all who sugested it to me works like a champ. Temps at the substrate are all I wory about the round thermometers are more for show than anything else got a temp gun so that is what I use for actual temps as well
Hope this helps
Robie