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  1. #6
    BPnet Veteran Saber402's Avatar
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    Re: need help...we're a mess

    First off, glad to see you are asking questions. That shows you care which is a great start! Don't beat yourself up!

    You just brought him home last week. It could very well take a while for him to get settled into new surroundings.

    A couple things to consider - You are using an UTH and a ceramic heater? With dial type gauges? Dial gauges are notorious for reading way off of actual temps. Sounds to me that he is likely overheated and is trying to escape the heat with no place to go. Ball pythons typically don't bask in a branch. They stay on the ground. I would ditch the ceramic heater! All I use is UTH's for all of my balls and they do fine.. Six thermometers is unnecessary. All you need is a good thermometer with a wired probe. Put the probe over the UTH and under the warm hide and the main part of the unit on the opposite side.

    You said he is cold. He could be going to the coldest part of the enclosure to get away from the heat. Remember, your body is 98.6 degrees so it's not unusual for him to feel cold to the touch. As long as you get your temps regulated accurately don't worry about if he is "cold". Plus, once he finds his way around the tank he will self-regulate his body temps.

    I wouldn't bump up his temps at all. What you are telling us, if proven to be accurate with a digital thermometer is good. Another ten degrees would put his warm spot at 100 degrees. Way to high in my opinion.

    It's not so important to maintain a particular humidity level, as it is OK to allow some variances. Try to keep it between 50- 60% while bumping it up to 70% or so when a shed is approaching. Misting once a week or so with Coconut husks should be good for holding humidity. You didn't mention having a hygrometer to measure the humidity.

    What are you attempting to feed him (mouse/rat - frozen/thawed), and also how much does he weigh? Do you have a digital scale that measures in grams? That would be helpful in following the growth of your snake, as well as making sure it is getting properly sized meals.

    You said you taped 3/4's of the screen top. With what? Glass tanks are difficult to maintain temps and humidity in.

    Sorry for all the questions! Just trying to get a handle on your set up so we can help you. Don't take anything as criticism.

    Lastly, check out some of the Ball Python Care sheets found on this forum and on the web if you haven't already done so. Good information.

    Good luck and keep posting updates!
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    dapp (01-02-2014)

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