Concerned about my ball python

[Alx]

I use the same thermostat as you. I have my probe taped to the UTH with FOIL tape. I had to do it that way because I had my UTH in place before I knew that I needed a thermostat. I put the tape on the cords all the way up to the bottom of the probe & a small strip across the tip of the probe to keep it snug to the UTH.

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Ok I can see that, but putting it between the tank and the UTH, wouldn't it create a small area where the UTH doesn't heat the tank because the the probe is in the way? I'm using a small UTH atm that only covers a little more space than the hide so I would feel the probe would be in the way. At the time I bought the UTH I read it should go under the hot side hide so I only bought a small one. Should I get a bigger one? And stick the probe to the UTH? But then how would I control heat lamp? Or is an under tank heater enough for heat?

[thejenius77]

I would use foil tape and attach it to the bottom of the UTH. So it would go: glass, UTH, probe. Then have the THERMOMETER probe INSIDE, centered right over UTH

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[Alx]

I would use foil tape and attach it to the bottom of the UTH. So it would go: glass, UTH, probe. Then have the THERMOMETER probe INSIDE, centered right over UTH

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I think I will do that! Just need to get rid of this plastic thermometer/hydrometer and get a digital one with a probe. Any good places where I could find a digital thermometer/hydrometer with a probe?

[thejenius77]

Acurite from Wal-Mart

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[tpkaos]

Grab some dark construction paper and cover up the back and side walls of the aquarium so it feels less 'open'. It has helped me in the past with feeding, also try 1 live pup just to get her going then you can worry about switching to f/t later.


Good luck

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[angllady2]

Okay, as best I can follow along with your post, you seem to be doing the best you can, so that is good hon.

It is entirely possible that CHE are more expensive where you are than where I am. I can get the smallest one from my petco for $15. But yes, they go up quickly from there. If you are having a lot of trouble with the room getting cold, would a small space heater be an option for you? I know you can purchase a basic tabletop model from Wal-Mart for around $20. I use one in my snake room, believe it or not, as small as it is, it warms the entire room as long as the door is closed. It's been so bitterly cold here I leave it on pretty much all the time.

Damp towels can help with humidity, but they mildew very easily. I think if it were me, I'd just make or invest in a humid hide. These can be a simple as a cheap plastic cereal bowl turned upside down with a small door cut in the side, and filled with damp sphagnum moss. The baby will use it as he needs it. You will just mist the moss as needed to keep it damp but not dripping, and it will stay fresh for a long time.

You can certainly plug more than one thing into your thermostat, although if heat is a real problem for you and you have no other options right now, consider leaving the CHE on all the time, centered in the middle of the lid if possible. Just take it off the thermostat and plug it directly into the outlet. Having the water dish on the warm side is fine, as long as you keep it scrupulously clean. It will get bacteria buildup really quickly being warm all the time. Been there, done that.

I know the not feeding thing is really nerve racking, but these little guys can go a surprisingly long time without eating. I am quite certain that given a little time to settle in and with a few cage tweaks, the baby will start eating before you know it. If you can get live prey, it is probably a good idea to give the baby live a few times to bring his weight up, then you can slowly switch back to f/t if you need to.

I wish you all the best.

Gale

[Alx]

Okay, as best I can follow along with your post, you seem to be doing the best you can, so that is good hon.

It is entirely possible that CHE are more expensive where you are than where I am. I can get the smallest one from my petco for $15. But yes, they go up quickly from there. If you are having a lot of trouble with the room getting cold, would a small space heater be an option for you? I know you can purchase a basic tabletop model from Wal-Mart for around $20. I use one in my snake room, believe it or not, as small as it is, it warms the entire room as long as the door is closed. It's been so bitterly cold here I leave it on pretty much all the time.

Damp towels can help with humidity, but they mildew very easily. I think if it were me, I'd just make or invest in a humid hide. These can be a simple as a cheap plastic cereal bowl turned upside down with a small door cut in the side, and filled with damp sphagnum moss. The baby will use it as he needs it. You will just mist the moss as needed to keep it damp but not dripping, and it will stay fresh for a long time.

You can certainly plug more than one thing into your thermostat, although if heat is a real problem for you and you have no other options right now, consider leaving the CHE on all the time, centered in the middle of the lid if possible. Just take it off the thermostat and plug it directly into the outlet. Having the water dish on the warm side is fine, as long as you keep it scrupulously clean. It will get bacteria buildup really quickly being warm all the time. Been there, done that.

I know the not feeding thing is really nerve racking, but these little guys can go a surprisingly long time without eating. I am quite certain that given a little time to settle in and with a few cage tweaks, the baby will start eating before you know it. If you can get live prey, it is probably a good idea to give the baby live a few times to bring his weight up, then you can slowly switch back to f/t if you need to.

I wish you all the best.

Gale

thank you I never thought about getting a small heater! That's actually a good idea, won't have to use the house heater. I'm using a wet towel at the moment seeing if it raises it but I'll look into a humid hide. I'm going to try feeding him tomorrow as his weight keeps me worried he looks very thin. I'll be making a new post with pictures I just took of how thin he is looking and some advice of what to try and feed him tomorrow. Thank you again everyone for the advice and help!

[LLLReptile]

Hi guys!

A note from us - Can you please call us to let us know how the snake is doing? The wrinkled area pictured looks like it recently took quite a large dump, and with it being on aspen and under the lights, it could be just that it's dehydrated in the aftermath. I've seen this a time or two in my own animals at home, and even the short tailed pythons here at the breeding center look like someone just wrung them out after they pass a large bowel movement.

Please, please call us so we can make notes on your order (if it was shipped to you) or so that the store manager can be aware of your situation and help you out if you're a local customer. Locally, we know the environment and we know how best to set up your snake to accommodate the weather here in SoCal and keep your baby hydrated and healthy, so again... call us!! We can't help you if we don't know you're having problems.

As others mentioned, don't tap on the glass - snakes sleep very still, and that's totally normal. The snake pictured looks fine, if a little dehydrated, but that is easy to fix with a nice large waterbowl and some adjustments made to the setup. As others have also mentioned, a pinky is much too small for even a hatchling ball python - the babies we have for sale now are all feeding on live mice.

One more time...please call us! We need to hear from you to help you out.

-Jen

[patientz3ro]

Hi guys!

A note from us - Can you please call us to let us know how the snake is doing? The wrinkled area pictured looks like it recently took quite a large dump, and with it being on aspen and under the lights, it could be just that it's dehydrated in the aftermath. I've seen this a time or two in my own animals at home, and even the short tailed pythons here at the breeding center look like someone just wrung them out after they pass a large bowel movement.

Please, please call us so we can make notes on your order (if it was shipped to you) or so that the store manager can be aware of your situation and help you out if you're a local customer. Locally, we know the environment and we know how best to set up your snake to accommodate the weather here in SoCal and keep your baby hydrated and healthy, so again... call us!! We can't help you if we don't know you're having problems.

As others mentioned, don't tap on the glass - snakes sleep very still, and that's totally normal. The snake pictured looks fine, if a little dehydrated, but that is easy to fix with a nice large waterbowl and some adjustments made to the setup. As others have also mentioned, a pinky is much too small for even a hatchling ball python - the babies we have for sale now are all feeding on live mice.

One more time...please call us! We need to hear from you to help you out.

-Jen

And THIS is why I keep bringing you guys my money!

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[Alx]

Hi guys!

A note from us - Can you please call us to let us know how the snake is doing? The wrinkled area pictured looks like it recently took quite a large dump, and with it being on aspen and under the lights, it could be just that it's dehydrated in the aftermath. I've seen this a time or two in my own animals at home, and even the short tailed pythons here at the breeding center look like someone just wrung them out after they pass a large bowel movement.

Please, please call us so we can make notes on your order (if it was shipped to you) or so that the store manager can be aware of your situation and help you out if you're a local customer. Locally, we know the environment and we know how best to set up your snake to accommodate the weather here in SoCal and keep your baby hydrated and healthy, so again... call us!! We can't help you if we don't know you're having problems.

As others mentioned, don't tap on the glass - snakes sleep very still, and that's totally normal. The snake pictured looks fine, if a little dehydrated, but that is easy to fix with a nice large waterbowl and some adjustments made to the setup. As others have also mentioned, a pinky is much too small for even a hatchling ball python - the babies we have for sale now are all feeding on live mice.

One more time...please call us! We need to hear from you to help you out.

-Jen

thank you for reaching out, I turned to these forums for advice becuase I imagined long call times and being on hold as is with a lot of I customer service. But when I called it was rather quick so thank you! I have given him a soak and going to see how he progresses. Thank you again for reaching out and I will def call with any more questions. Hopefully he recovers and I can get some food in him.