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  1. #1
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    Ball python doesn't like cypress mulch?

    I've had my ball python for a little over a month and originally had her on aspen. Based on what I've read, she seems to be doing well. She's never struck, hissed, pissed, or shat on me, and every week she eats immediately when i present the mice. However, when she first shed (1-2 weeks ago) she seemed to have trouble so i helped her out (and got all but a few tiny flakes off) by soaking, letting her rub against me, and helping her pull it off (i did not grip her tightly). My hygrometer says that the cage has been at a steady 50-60% humidity, but I switched to cypress mulch at the recommendation of an employee at the store I got her from. I immediately noticed that it is splintery (i even got a splinter from it) and when I put her in the cage she immediately climbed on top of her hide. About a day after, I noticed that instead of laying flat against the ground in her hide, she basically piles her body on top of itself almost like she is trying to avoid touching the substrate beneath her. Should I change the substrate to something else?

    Also, after the first 2-3 weeks of owning her, I rarely see her on the hot spot. My thermometer (that I always place on the ground for a few minutes) steadily typically tells me the hot spot is between 88-92. I even fed her 2 days ago and haven't seen her on the hot spot. Is this normal?
    Last edited by clark.matt9; 10-31-2015 at 02:53 PM.

  2. #2
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    I can't speak to the cypress, but for the hot spot those analog thermometers are wildly inaccurate. Get a heat gun or IR thermometer that can measure surface temperatures, and use that to take the measurement.

    What are you using to create the hot spot and how is it regulated, thermostat, rheostat, dimmer, or ?

  3. #3
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    Re: Ball python doesn't like cypress mulch?

    Quote Originally Posted by bcr229 View Post
    I can't speak to the cypress, but for the hot spot those analog thermometers are wildly inaccurate. Get a heat gun or IR thermometer that can measure surface temperatures, and use that to take the measurement.

    What are you using to create the hot spot and how is it regulated, thermostat, rheostat, dimmer, or ?
    I am using a heatpad on the underside of the cage and use the dimmer that they sold me. It does not tell me the temperature, so I recently ordered this:
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o00_s00
    Last edited by clark.matt9; 10-31-2015 at 04:39 PM.

  4. #4
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    Re: Ball python doesn't like cypress mulch?

    Ok a dimmer will work short-term but the thermostat you ordered is the better way to regulate the UTH.

    I would also get a temp gun or IR thermometer to measure the exact surface temp over the UTH.

  5. #5
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    Re: Ball python doesn't like cypress mulch?

    To a certain extent, each BP has their own preferences, so it's possible that yours doesn't like the Cypress. However, I suspect that this is more of a temperature/husbandry issue than a substrate one. Do get back to us when you've gotten a reliable thermometer - I'm curious to see what your temps really are.


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  6. #6
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    I got this:
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o00_s00
    two days ago as an upgrade from this:
    http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Analog...le+thermometer


    Temp on hot side reads roughly the same as the analog...When I put the dimmer all the way up it hovers around 88-92 depending on exact location (this is where the temperature gun seems superior in that I can quickly measure DIFFERENCES within the actual hot zone)

    Yesterday it rained and has been pretty cold, so the coldest part of her cage was 69 at some points today. I moved her cold hide a little closer to the hot side where the gun gave me readings of 75-78. Have closed my sky window which probably contributed to the coldness.



    On the plus side, she does not seem to be avoiding as much body contact with the mulch as she was when i made the switch. So I guess she just didn't recognize it compared to the aspen/got used to it.

    Saw her on the hot side a few times and a urate in the cold hide, couldn't see any poop though. Gonna feed her today or tomorrow.
    I have been under the impression from my readings that 75-85 is ideal for the cool side. Correct?

    IF cold side really is 69-75 on a consistent basis and it is NOT due to the cold weather in the past 2 days, what should I do to raise the temp a few degrees?
    (also, the thermostat should be arriving in the next few days)
    Last edited by clark.matt9; 11-04-2015 at 10:07 AM.

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