Concerned about my ball python

[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!