Not sure if it belongs here, but I need some help. My Ball Python won't eat.

[liv]

Hold up, hold up for a minute, I know the first thing would be to jump on the 40 gallon. However. She is very happy in it by all outward appearances, she is always exploring and playing, and she when she gets too hot, she goes to the cool side, same with the reverse. She doesn't seem to mind the large space, she's very outgoing, not timid. I do not have a thermostat, I cannot afford one until December 1st. I know very well that analog is inaccurate, I use a digital one.

A happy BP is a hiding BP You should turn off the heat mat until you get a thermostat later this week. Those things can get incredibly hot and need to be regulated.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

A hiding BP is a happy BP.

[Tes95]

She spends about 7 hours out of the day in her Petsmart box, though. I mean, now I feel really bad, it's my fault she's not happy...

[swansonbb]

She is very happy in it by all outward appearances...

How can you tell? Is she smiling?

[liv]

She spends about 7 hours out of the day in her Petsmart box, though. I mean, now I feel really bad, it's my fault she's not happy...

Don't feel too badly, BPs are hardy little guys. Just get your husbandry sorted out as soon as you can (reference the care sheet that someone linked you already), give her a week to settle in and she'll be the happiest little guy you could find

[Tes95]

How can you tell? Is she smiling?

I'm.. sorry, I'll work on pulling extra hours to get the thermostats and stuff.., it's my fault.

[Annarose15]

She spends about 7 hours out of the day in her Petsmart box, though. I mean, now I feel really bad, it's my fault she's not happy...

No need to feel bad. After all, you came for help instead of assuming that she's just a pain. You can get a cheap dimmer/rheostat from somewhere like Home Depot to manage the UTH temp until you can get a decent thermostat. You will also want to get the Acurite thermometer suggested previously. Even though yours is digital, it doesn't tell you the actual temp of the glass over the UTH unless it has a probe. The other red flag that I don't think has been addressed yet is the "roomy" hide - BPs need snug-fitting hides to feel secure. You can leave her existing one, but add a few more that are tighter and will help clutter her tank for you as a bonus.

[Tes95]

No need to feel bad. After all, you came for help instead of assuming that she's just a pain. You can get a cheap dimmer/rheostat from somewhere like Home Depot to manage the UTH temp until you can get a decent thermostat. You will also want to get the Acurite thermometer suggested previously. Even though yours is digital, it doesn't tell you the actual temp of the glass over the UTH unless it has a probe. The other red flag that I don't think has been addressed yet is the "roomy" hide - BPs need snug-fitting hides to feel secure. You can leave her existing one, but add a few more that are tighter and will help clutter her tank for you as a bonus.

It uh... it does have a sensor probe.. I trimmed the box to just her size, she really likes it.. one cave is missing a wall, but I couldn't get any better deal on black friday.

[swansonbb]

Don't be sorry. You're concerned about your animal and in the right place to find info - that's awesome and puts you way ahead of a lot of others. You're making your animal's welfare your responsibility, and that's to be commended.

Just know that there's no need to panic right now. We've all been there. Trust me. She's fine. Just leave her alone for a bit, unplug that UTH (again - a table top lamp dimmer will run you about $10) and stop trying to feed her for now.

Bps are actually pretty easy to care for - they're certainly not high maintenance animals. They will also go on long hunger strikes - just had a large female end a 6 months fast.

[Annarose15]

It uh... it does have a sensor probe.. I trimmed the box to just her size, she really likes it.. one cave is missing a wall, but I couldn't get any better deal on black friday.

Ok, cool. I must have misunderstood on the thermometer.