First Time Snake Owner

[Talae]

What is a normal fluctuation in temps? My cool side only changes by a degree or so, but the hot side goes from about 88-96.

[AK907]

What is a normal fluctuation in temps? My cool side only changes by a degree or so, but the hot side goes from about 88-96.

How are you controlling your temps on the hot side? What is your heat source. You really shouldn't be going over 92 for a hot spot. 94 at the max!

You'll want to up your humidity during shedding. Your snake has quite a bit of stuck shed on it and you might need to help him off with the rest of it. Your snake should shed in one whole piece and this can be achieved by simply bumping your humidity up to 70-80% during the shedding process.

[Talae]

I have a UTH on the hot side that is regulated by a thermostat. I currently have the thermostat taped under the tank right next to the UTH, but would love a good explanation of how that probe should be affixed (an image would be even better). The thermostat is set at 87 degrees and is currently reading 87.2 degrees. The thermometer is reading 93.2 degrees. That makes me think that my problem is in the location of the thermostat probe.

[RoseyReps]

From what I have seen, you should place the probe directly in the middle of the heat mat. (using tape on the cord, not the metal probe area) and then secure the UTH to the bottom of your tank (foil tape works great here). So that it's layered from the bottom up UTH->Probe->outside bottom of tank.

[Talae]

Should I remove the UTH and reapply it in order to put it the way you suggest? I thought that once they were stuck on they should not be removed.

[RoseyReps]

Alrighty, well let me start by saying I'm a newbie too, and this is entirely based off of forum stalking and reading other's replies etc.

There are some people who put the thermostat probe inside the tank, on the glass bottom, under the substrate. My personal issue with this is the fact you should NEVER use tape inside of the enclosure, and as such this system lends itself to having a probe knocked around and not doing much good. I've heard some people reference using hot glue to keep probes in place, but I will not give advice to or not to do that as I have no idea what the pros and cons are etc.

There is a thread about removing a UTH
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-Remove-a-UTH!
And also in that thread it shows you how to cover the sticky part with foil tape for re-using it.

I'm sorry I'm not more experienced / helpful, basically just mimicking replies I've read. I hope someone with more knowledge on this subject can interject for you.