uth problem

[lizzym]

I just got my first ball python this weekend and so far everything seems to be going well. I noticed that he had pooped, and went to go and clean it out of his tub. That's when I noticed that his uth wasn't sticking to the bottom of his tub correctly. Since the uth has a sticky side, I didn't bother taping it on when I originally set up his tub and assumed it would be fine.

I'd like to tape it on so that it's attached properly, but in order to do that I'd have to take him out of the tub, which I know you aren't supposed to do for the first week. I live in FL so the weather here is generally very warm -- his ambient temperature usually sits in the 80's. Would it be better to wait out the week until he's more adjusted, or should I take him out and fix the problem tonight?

[Aceboas]

Temps are a big part of adjustment. I would fix the UTH now. I'm sure it is already but make sure you have it on a therm.

[dmt_jovi]

(...) I'd like to tape it on so that it's attached properly, but in order to do that I'd have to take him out of the tub, which I know you aren't supposed to do for the first week (...)

You need to take him out of the tub to attach the UTH because you will be flipping the tub upside down to properly secure it or because the UTH is inside the tub?

[lizzym]

You need to take him out of the tub to attach the UTH because you will be flipping the tub upside down to properly secure it or because the UTH is inside the tub?

I'll be taking him out because I need to flip the tub upside down.

And the UTH is on a thermostat, yes

[dmt_jovi]

Just making sure there wasn't a bigger problem

Since it should take you 5/10 min (at most) to properly fix it, I say go for it! Put him in a small, dark container while you do it, and keep handling to a minimum (just take him from the enclosure to the container, and again from the container to the enclosure) and you should be fine


P.S.: Since this is your first ball python and you mentioned that your UTH is connected to a thermostat, I feel like I should at least ask if you are familiar with Pit's famous drawing regarding the thermostat's probe placement?

[lizzym]

Okay, I'll get everything fixed up right away Thanks both of you for the advice!

I don't think I've seen that drawing. I'm suddenly worried that my probe placement is wrong though

[dmt_jovi]

There you go!

I hope Pit doesn't mind me borrowing it

[lizzym]

Oh, that makes much more sense! My probe is currently in the tub under the substrate. It's secured down with a little suction cup that came with the thermostat, but I've been worried about it possibly becoming detached.

I'll relocate it since I'm fixing the UTH anyway

[lizzym]

Update: The UTH is secured to the bottom of the tub, and I've moved his thermostat probe so that it is sandwiched between the UTH and the bottom of the tub.

Little snake seems no worse for the wear, and is exploring the small changes that were made thanks to everything shifting around.

[dmt_jovi]

Not only is relocation a problem but pee/poop will undoubtly interfere with the readings, which will cause your UTH to give off too much or not enough heat, which in turn will result in a burned snake or a RI.

And (as it is in the drawing) your Thermometer probe should go where your Thermostat probe was.


So I guess Pit (and his drawing) save day (one more time)!