BP burrowing after feeding? Insight needed!

[rgalanti21]

I was wondering if it is normal for a ball python to start burrowing around the tank right after feeding? I have my BP in a 40 gallon breeder with a hide on each side and a 150 wt ceramic on the hot side which gets to 88 and a 100 wt red light on the cool side which is 80. Upon finishing off his small mouse which he took from the tongs pretty quickly, I noticed that he began burrowing himself around in the aspen substrate, and I was wondering if this is normal? Humidity levels hover around 50% (I’m working on maintaining 55-60%). He is just ending a shed that wasn't the best, but wasn't terrible. Could he be burrowing to get the last parts of the shed off?

Also, I havent seen my BP Stryker use his water bowl since I got him a week ago.

Any thoughts or comments are greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!!!

[SilverDemon]

How big is he? If he's a baby, a 40 gallon is WAY too big. Even a 20 gallon would be too big for him.

Also, have you provided hides for him? A hiding ball python is a happy ball python.

[rgalanti21]

How big is he? If he's a baby, a 40 gallon is WAY too big. Even a 20 gallon would be too big for him.

Also, have you provided hides for him? A hiding ball python is a happy ball python.

He has two hides, one on each side. and he is almost a year and 2 ft long. It's probably too big of a tank and he is probably stressed since I got him last week...

[The Serpent Merchant]

How are you measuring your temps? a 150 Watt CHE should be absolutely baking your tank I can't see it only being 88 unless it is being regulated by something (I have a 75Watt that will get my 4'x2' PVC enclosure to 95 if I'm not careful)

[rgalanti21]

How are you measuring your temps? a 150 Watt CHE should be absolutely baking your tank I can't see it only being 88 unless it is being regulated by something (I have a 75Watt that will get my 4'x2' PVC enclosure to 95 if I'm not careful)

I am using a pretty basic thermometer. It has a screen top that lets out a lot of heat and the tank is in a pretty cool room (I live in seattle, WA). Would you recommend I get a better thermometer and turn my lamps down until I do?

[rgalanti21]

I notice that if I turn the heater on in my room that the tank gets significantly hotter, so I leave my heater off so that the tank doesn't get roasting

[The Serpent Merchant]

He has two hides, one on each side. and he is almost a year and 2 ft long. It's probably too big of a tank and he is probably stressed since I got him last week...

I keep mine in a 4'x2' PVC enclosure so I think that you are fine as far as cage size goes.

I would get this thermometer at Wall*Mart. It costs $12 and measures 2 temperatures and humidity.

[rgalanti21]

I'll go pick one of them up tomorrow. The 150 watt ceramic bulb I have says that it heats up the air 18 inches from the bulb to 89 degrees, so my temp of 88 doesnt surprise me too much, which is why I dont think it is 90+ degrees as in your case. Maybe I am wrong tho... But I think my thermometers are working because as my ambient temp in my room increases when I turn the heater on, so does the tanks. And it lowers when it cools off. But ill go get that thermo tomorrow.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I'll go pick one of them up tomorrow. The 150 watt ceramic bulb I have says that it heats up the air 18 inches from the bulb to 89 degrees, so my temp of 88 doesnt surprise me too much, which is why I dont think it is 90+ degrees as in your case. Maybe I am wrong tho... But I think my thermometers are working because as my ambient temp in my room increases when I turn the heater on, so does the tanks. And it lowers when it cools off. But ill go get that thermo tomorrow.

Even the cheapest thermometers seem to track temperature change pretty well. The question is are they reading the correct temperature?

[rgalanti21]

Very true... Do you think he could be burrowing to get rid of the remaining shed? Could he be just getting use to his environment? He literally JUST started burrowing today and had been in his hot side hide the rest of the time ive had him for the week.