Help for a newbie - Python On Cold Side!

[tttaylorrr]

- Humidity levels are right around 40 degrees even with the lamps on. This is much better than I previously thought! Even though it still doesn't seem enough (I should shoot for 50-60?).

yes, i try not to drop below 55%. 65-70% i believe is ideal. you could try sphagnum moss: dampen a handful and place it in the enclosure or in the hot hide. it works great during sheds!

- It does not look I'm getting the proper temperature gradient throughout the tank. After leaving the UTH w/ dimmer on for 4 hrs, I'm reading 84 on the hot side, 81 on the cold side. I'm not too concerned just yet as I was previously instructed to leave it go for about 8 hrs in order to let the dimmer do its job and allow the UTH to reach its proper adjusted level. I'll have to measure it tomorrow after 8 hours. I'll unplug it tonight so as to not take any chances. My first thought is that I wonder if I need to cut the night lamp off during the day? I've been running it day and night (while cutting the hot side lamp at night) because I was trying to maintain the proper temps. Early indications may be that I was overreacting due to reliance on poor thermometers.

i don't use heat lamps so allow others to help you here.

- BP continued basking for several hours under the hot-side lamp before coming off the vine and really moving all around the tank (approximately 10:00pm). I believe she is looking for a place to sleep? She used the cold-side hide once as after I took the old mismatched hides out I covered her with the new plastic bowl hide I made this afternoon. It fit her just fine and she stayed in for a little while before poking her head out to check out what I was doing. Then she slithered out and hasn't gone back in either hide since.

changing the hides will stress them out a bit and make them feel uneasy; give her some time to adjust. sitting on top of the hides is a definite sign of stress: "a hiding ball is a happy ball." i'd say monitor her enclosure, temps and all, and try to pin-point a stress issue. feel free to post pictures and ask questions.

I get the feeling BP's require a good amount of patience, which is fine, I just hope I'm doing the right things here.
Giving it my all!

I'll try to update with some pictures tomorrow.

Thank you again for all your help!

there's a user here (can't remember who) whose signature says something like: "ball pythons are consistent in their inconsistency." they require time to "dial in" so to speak, and get just right. like i said before, you are well on your way to helping her. you asking questions on the forum is already a sign of commitment. you're doing fine! can't wait for pics!