Not laying on heated side?

[pretzelstickz]

My bp hasn't laid on the hot side of the tank since I got her a week ago, she ate a medium rat Sunday and has still not laid on the heated side. Should I worry? What would be reasons for this?


~Emily

[Orijin0XazN]

What are the temps? How are you measuring it? What kind of substrate? Be a little more specific buddy.

[RestlessRobie]

More info would help but I suspect either it is a little to warm or she just like the cool side better

[pretzelstickz]

Temps are 90F on hot side and 75 on cool. Measuring temps with pro exotics temp gun. Butcher paper for substrate, maybe I should try paper towel instead? Or coco fiber? I use butcher paper for my beardies and Leos so that's what I use for "her". She feels so cold I just don't know why she is staying on the cold side. She's active and fine but it's just odd she chooses to be colder all the time.


~Emily

[pretzelstickz]

Sorry for not being descriptive enough but I have only owned a garter snake prior to getting her so I don't know much about snakes


~Emily

[cmack91]

Temps are 90F on hot side and 75 on cool. Measuring temps with pro exotics temp gun. Butcher paper for substrate, maybe I should try paper towel instead? Or coco fiber? I use butcher paper for my beardies and Leos so that's what I use for "her". She feels so cold I just don't know why she is staying on the cold side. She's active and fine but it's just odd she chooses to be colder all the time.


~Emily

cool side definitly needs to come up to the low 80's (82 is prime), mine never uses the hot side either, so during digesting, i adjust the temps to a nuetral 85-86 all over, and sometimes he sits on his branch for more heat

[kitedemon]

I am guessing this is a young snake? Little snakes do not need as much heat as larger snakes do I'd suggest dropping the hot side down some to 88-89 range. The cool end is on the cool end of things I usually like to see 77-8 but every snake is an individual so it is hard to make blanket statements. I'd drop the hot end a touch and give it some time to see what happens.

[pretzelstickz]

No "she" is an adult. I was told she was maybe a female by pet store but I'm not sure. She is about 4 foot long guesstimating. They didn't know her age either. I will lower the temp a bit and see if she likes it better.


~Emily

[pretzelstickz]

Thank you guys for the help.


~Emily

[pretzelstickz]

this is a pic of her


~Emily