My bp is driving me to drink

[Alexandra V]

I would sacrifice one meal to soak her and get the skin off if it's bugging you, and it might stimulate her to eliminate too. But don't worry about the pooping part, they'll go when they're ready. Seriously, I remember a post on here a long time ago about a blood python that held it for 9 months.

I kind of prefer when they hold it in and go all at once - fewer cleanings! Haha.

[MsMissy]

Umm, then maybe don't feed her so much? Who says you need to feed the snake every 5 days?



If you can't bring the cool side temp down, how about trying to reduce the heat of the hot side? Thermometers can easily be a couple degrees off (I have no idea what you're using to measure temps; I use a HerpStat 1, a high-end humidor digital thermometer, as well as an IR temp gun), so you're looking at potentially 92* on the hot side - which I would argue is much too hot.

She pretty much lets me know she is hungry by behavior.

As for temps.... Thermostat is set at 91 with a hydrofarm. She doesn't burrow, temp at substrate level <which is an inch thick> on the hot side is 86. Yes, I know, not the greatest t-stat but I use an ir temp gun and it's pretty much spot on. Her forever home will include a herpstat but as long as this is working, I don't see the sense in changing it now. I've settled on maintaining an ambient of 85 which won't hurt her... I've never had any one tell me 92 is too hot but that is a moot point since the only part of her tank that comes close would be her basking spot.

[Capray]

She pretty much lets me know she is hungry by behavior.

It's healthy for snakes to be hungry. In the wild, they might eat a couple times a month tops. They evolved to have breaks between meals, so why not go with what's natural? There's no need to overfeed her, it'll only make her fat. Just feed her once week, she will be fine.

[MsMissy]

Makes sense of course... She's still a baby. Only weighs in at 86 grams. I have no doubt that she will be fine if I let her go a few extra days but I've always seen 5-7 days for a baby so that is what I was doing.

[MsMissy]

Lol, I have no patience. She took being moved very well and seemed to enjoy her soaking.



Not the greatest pic but her shed is def loosened up.

[sho220]

Makes sense of course... She's still a baby. Only weighs in at 86 grams. I have no doubt that she will be fine if I let her go a few extra days but I've always seen 5-7 days for a baby so that is what I was doing.

Every 5 days for an 86 gram baby is not overfeeding, provided the meals aren't too big. Hatchlings can eat every 3-4 days and not miss a beat. If they're hungry feed them. They'll soon enough go on a hunger strike and you'll be wishing for the days she ate without hesitation...

[rossi46]

She pretty much lets me know she is hungry by behavior.

Not sure how even to respond to that.

I've never had any one tell me 92 is too hot but that is a moot point since the only part of her tank that comes close would be her basking spot.

I'll defer to the Barkers of VPI, who probably know a thing or two about caring for BPs:

As a general starting point for successful maintenance, ball pythons can be kept in a cage that has a night time low temperature of 79-81 degrees F and a daytime high temperature of 81-85 degrees F.

http://vpi.com/publications/the_ball_python_care_sheet

[MsMissy]

Silly me, I was going by the care sheet on this site...

TEMPS: 80-84 F w/ basking 88-94 F
HUMIDITY: 50%-60%

[sho220]

Not sure how even to respond to that.

What's so confusing? That's one thing I love about hatchlings. They have no problem "telling" you they're hungry.

[sho220]

I'll defer to the Barkers of VPI, who probably know a thing or two about caring for BPs:



[/FONT][/COLOR]http://vpi.com/publications/the_ball_python_care_sheet

I'll see your VPI, and raise you a Garrick DeMeyer: "The ambient cage temperature should be 82-85 during the day, with a slight drop at night. A hot spot should be given that stays a constant 90-92 degrees."