Hi I'm new here and worried about my ball :(

[JayC]

Hi my name is Jordan I just got my ball python a week ago my setup is a acurite thermometer/ humidity gauge with a heat pad and Eco earth as substrate it's all in a glass tank. The sensor is telling me that the heat pad is at 90 rite now but there is substrate over that and his home is over that. On the outside of his home it is 73 and the humidity is at 62... Before that I didn't have a lamp dimmer and I think at one point it might have gotten too hot very few belly scales look like they are flaking somewhat? Also his belly has pink on it but I jus noticed today it looks more like blotches somewhat so I wasn't sure if he slightly got burned or not. On another note I looked at his mouth today and the tip of his bottom jaw had a brownish discoloration. Wasn't sure if it was from substrate or him rubbing his nose on the cage and the top of the cage. Then again I am paranoid and worried for his health since I did jus get him home a week ago and I am trying my best to make everything good for my little buddy I will post pictures up as soon as I can the belly shots are hard to get the pink to show up. Haven't heard any wheezing or odd noises ever since I got him he has been yawning so I jus thought it was a normal thing didnt seem like he was struggling to get air looked like he was just yawning and I did feed him on Sunday so could just be realigning his jaw or stretching but he did it before he ate even. I've read alot on here and am jus making sure everything is fine with him the inside temp now 74 and under his home and the substrate where the UTH is now at 91 humidity is still 62 plz any info and help would be appreciated I have barely any money as of now so a trip to the vet would t be happening rite now and id also have to find a reliable herp vet in the area im kind of in the country so I hope it isn't anything that bad and I hope getting the temps rite will help everything alot more. I could really use someone to tell me do this and that and everything will be fine so calm down before you pop a blood vessel lmao thanks guys hope to hear replies soon

[Willie76]

First off all, WELCOME! Come often and ask lots of questions! It looks like you have done some research and have a basic underestanding of keeping a Ball Python. Yet, the first thing is becoming teachable. We were all new once as well. I learn something new every week it seems, so remember we never stop learning! So we are here to help...Some day you'll be able to turn around and share your new found knowledge as well...

First things first. That heat pad. You have a digital thermometer measuring the temp, but it sounds like it is still unregulated and most, if not all of those heat pads still get way too hot. ALL heat sources should be controlled by a thermoSTAT. Prices vary, but you can start with a basic on/off like a Hydrofarm (~$30 on Amazon), just take the plunge and invest in a professional proportional thermoSTAT like the Herpstat from SpyderRobotics (~$150), or at a bare minimum, get a light dimmer switch from Home Depot for around $15 for the short term until you can get a good thermostat. The thermoSTAT controls the electricity going to the heating pad so you can control the amount of heat that is produced. Even with the dimmer switch, you can adjust it to the appropriate temps. Without something controlling your heat source, your snake WILL get burned.

Balls need a heat gradient. This simply means warmer on one end, cooler on the other, and a gradual decline in temps from the warm to cool side. I keep my warm spot at 90, and cool side around 78. Ambient temps are around 82-84. This allows the snake to regulate their own body temperature. Don't forget a hide on EACH end.

Humidity looks good. I usually keep humidity 50%-60% when they're not shedding and 70%+ during their shed week. These are general numbers so don't freak out if they aren't spot on every second of every day. But they should be consistent.

And the yawning. Some of my balls yawn, some don't between feedings. Are you hearing any clicking noises when he breathes or noticing any mucus in or around his mouth? If not, Just keep an eye on him but I am sure it's just a yawn...

And remember. Ball pythons aren't known for being great show snakes. They like the security of hiding and confined spaces. If they're eating, pooping, and hiding they're usually content.

[JayC]

Thank you so much for the quick reply back! I do have a light dimmer in the heat pad now due me researching off this website and worrying about his belly because I don't think it's time for him the shed yet his scales stilllook vibrant not dull and his eyes haven't clouded over so the flaking scales on his belly and pink blotches made me somewhat worried.

Now for the ambient temps in the cage and humidity it's around 74 for the temp in the cool side but the humidity is upwards of around 66 to 67 keeps going up but very slowly so I had the idea to jus get a simple lamp to lower to humidity an get those ambient temps up more cause I feel like they are too low. I don't want him getting RI or anything like that I looked at his mouth again and that coloration has been there since I got him when I looked in older pics. Also I haven't heard any clicking but I haven't checked inside his mouth yet, haven't noticed any mucus on his lips or anything of that nature.


Would the lamp be a good idea? I am in my basement and its kind of cold but really humid from what I've seen down there so far we even have a dehumidifier that runs due to it getting to humid and the old owners of the house said it made some of the ceiling tiles get water spots and start sagging. So I guess get a lamp? Any bulb wattage and color recommendations? I was thinking a black light bulb would be nice especially for at night if it gets too cold and should I get a lamp dimmer for that too??? Depending on what it does in the tank? Thank you so much for the info this site is amazing and I am happy to keep learning more and more about bps all the time

[Reesy]

Hi, Welcome to the addiction. OK, here we go. 1st. Get rid of the echo earth, your new buddy can ingest it while eating and become impacted from it. Also, if some of it gets stick in the mouth it can cause serious issues such as ulcers and infections. 2nd. The brown on the chin is probably just dust from the echo earth. Echo earth is good for dust, I use it as a laying substrate for my bearded dragons. How old is your ball python? The pink on the belly could be any number of things, however, the leading cause for pink coloration on the belly is entry into a shed cycle. Another issue with echo earth is that it holds too much moisture against the belly of the snake, they need a dry substrate. Moisture against the belly can cause blistering and scale rot. I use a rack system with tubs and newspaper for substrate. I use paper towels for my little ones. I don't mean to come across the wrong way, it's great that you are asking questions. Knowledge is power. The day that we stop learning is the day we die. Also the yawning could be your snake trying to dislodge echo earth from his/her mouth. Please, ask all the questions you like. Good luck. Pictures would help.

[Archimedes]

Another thought about the Eco-Earth-- I use it, and I like the way it looks and the way it holds humidity. One way to prevent ingestion and impaction, the way I use, is laying a paper towel down over the feeding area to keep it from covering the mouse and the snake. It's definitely a messier substrate, but has its perks. As for everything else, you're getting excellent feedback, and welcome to ther herp community and the ball python addiction!!

[carlson]

I've used Eco earth for four years with my first male an only ball not in a tub, until I build a male rack. I've had zero of those problems you mentioned, it's actually made it easier to get my humidity right. He eats great hasnt gotten a mouth full and become impacted, yes he has dirt on him but eco earth dirt on the skins not to worrysome to me since last i checked snakes evolved coming in contact with dirt.Granted I used a thiner layer an let him pack it down but Just sayin

[JayC]

Not sure how old he is he's anywhere from 6 months too 10 give or take??? About two feet long if that's helps at all and last time he ate he did get some in his mouth I was somewhat worried bout it I was thinking of switching to aspen but I bought a three brick package of the Eco earth and barely used up the first brick :/ I feel like it would be a waste not to use it I like the idea of laying paper towel down too not get any in his mouth while feeding. I think ill use some of the Eco earth up before I switch to aspen so it's not a complete waste. The pink on his belly looked consistent all the way down him at first glance but today it looks more blotchy and like I said there r only very few what seems to be scales on his belly flaking. I figured it was from the UTH getting too hot and possibly burning him. I now have a light dimmer on it tho and the digi thermometer is reading 91 on the bottom of in cage in his hide above the UTH.

i figured this was ok since it has to go threw the substrate. The humidity is now up to 70% and the cold side of the tank is at 75. In my last post I asked if u guys think a lamp would be a good idea I heard they knock the humidity down and it would bump up the cold side temp I feel like it is too cold. He is in a 10 gallon tank I will make a photobucket an try to get some pics up forgive me for I am doing all of this off of my iPhone lol thank you so much for the info and just so you know reesy u didn't come off to me in a wrong way at all. Just another guy with reptiles just giving me good information

[Archimedes]

A lamp will suck some humidity, but I use one for ambient temp maintenance and find that keeping the front half of his screen-lid covered (in my case, cling-wrap covered in gaffer tape to keep it sturdy) helps worlds. I mist twice a day typically, and that keeps his humidity where it should be for the most part.

Hope this helps!

[Reesy]

I've used Eco earth for four years with my first male an only ball not in a tub, until I build a male rack. I've had zero of those problems you mentioned, it's actually made it easier to get my humidity right. He eats great hasnt gotten a mouth full and become impacted, yes he has dirt on him but eco earth dirt on the skins not to worrysome to me since last i checked snakes evolved coming in contact with dirt.Granted I used a thiner layer an let him pack it down but Just sayin

Loose substrate will always increase the chances of impaction and other problems. We should not be teaching new comers bad habits.

As for the heat lamp, The reason that the humidity won't drop right away is due to the fact that it causes the moisture to evaporate from the eco earth faster. Higher evaporation rate means higher humidity. This is another reason to due away with the eco earth, when it dries out it will be that much more dusty. What do you have for a lid on your enclosure? If the pink on the belly is isolated to certain areas and not throughout the belly, it could be due to the enclosure being too wet. Keep your eyes open for blisters on your snakes skin.

[JayC]

Ok well should I toss out the Eco earth and use newspaper or paper towel for now and see what that does?? Also I will take some pics off my phone and use my computer to get them on here it's a pain on my phone is there a walk through on how to get the URL for the pics? I have a photobucket just don't know what to do to get the URL for the separate photos. The pink on his belly is in blotches but its very light I will also try to get a pic of that lemme kno if I should just get the Eco earth out and switch to newspaper or paper towel for now because the humidity keeps going up its already at 73% now and the ambient temp is at 73. I'm trying to up the cool sides temp and decrease the humidity. let me know what is best to do at this point I can't go out and get a lamp today so when he comes out at night I don't want him to be that cold on the cool side of the tank thank you bunches guys!