Ball python help

[shan4404]

Hey guys I've had my ball python for over a year now. I've figured I can read a bunch online but you guys will likely be much more hope. So since I've had xerxes he was yet to shed on his own. I've had to soak him and peel him myself. He also doesn't eat at a consistent basis and when he does eat it takes a while to interest him. This time around I could hear him breathing like out of his nose (sounds like if we were to push air out of our nose with a little force) I try to keep his tank as soaked as possible but it's getting frustrating for no only me but I would assume the snake as well. Can't feel that great. Even when I help him peel he skin is like still stuck to him and doesn't come off easily. I'm open to harsh criticism to help find a solution. Pics of whatever upon request. Thank you everyone


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[ElliotNess]

What do you mean "soaked" as possible. Their enclosures shouldn't be soaked. That sounds like it may be the cause of Respiratory Infection which is what it sounds like he has.

Change to dry substrate and what is the temp and humidity settings...

[shan4404]

What do you mean "soaked" as possible. Their enclosures shouldn't be soaked. That sounds like it may be the cause of Respiratory Infection which is what it sounds like he has.

Change to dry substrate and what is the temp and humidity settings...

Sorry I meant soaking in an enclosure outside his cage not his actual living cage! I use coconut fiber substrate currently temp is 75 humidity is 80


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[ElliotNess]

Cold side should be low 80s... Hot should be 88-94...

Humidity is too high as well... 50-60 daily with a bump to 75ish when in shed

He is freezing his scales off..

[ElliotNess]

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...s%29-Caresheet

[redshepherd]

Humidity is not too high, it's fine as long as there is good ventilation. Poor ventilation combined with high humidity could cause respiratory infections.

And what do you mean temp is 75? Do you have a hot spot?

I think posting pics of your setup and listing what equipment you're using would help..

[Craiga 01453]

Yeah, we're gonna need more info to help you properly.

A few pics of your setup and a list of the following would help:
a) what equipment are you heating the enclosure with?
b) how are you regulating the heat sources?
c) how are you measuring temps?
d) how are you measuring humidity?
Hopefully some pics provided with the above info will help us help you to help your snake.

It already sounds like your temps are low and your humidity is high, but tough to really say til we get more info.
Also, those "breathing sounds" you are hearing sound like a possible respiratory infection.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Basically based on the little info all your issues are husbandry related and could have been prevented, you need to get back to the basic and read the caresheet provided above.

Temps are way too low, humidity way too high and I suspect everything else is probably wrong too.

Chances are there are probably some health issues as well that need to be addressed especially if that animal was kept this way for a year.

Research goes a long way when purchasing a snake.

[shan4404]

I'll send pics after I get home but I have two thermometers one under the daylight and one under the red light at night. The humidity level of 80 was right after I sprayed his tank down so I will see what it reads after it dries out when I'm home. There the black hooded clamp lamps on each side so I'm wondering if I need a stronger lamp and/or bulb? Hopefully the pics later can help everyone.


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[cchardwick]

I think it's your bulbs that are the problem, I'd drop the bulbs and go with an under tank heater on one side of the tank on a thermostat set to 88F. The way I have my tubs setup in my rack are that I don't have any substrate over a small area of the hotspot, the substrate is much cooler and messes up the hot spot, you have to turn it up to get the right temp and if they dig down it's too hot, so I keep it substrate free in one spot just big enough for the snake over the hotspot. They will usually just hang out in that small spot most of the time. I'd keep the room mid to high 70's if you can. I'd also drop the Coconut fiber and go with Coconut husk, the fiber doesn't hold water at all. When I bought my SD retic he was in a cage with bulbs and he was in a major stuck shed. Since I switched to an under tank heater and coconut husk substrate his sheds are perfect and he is not as mean as he was, I'm pretty sure the bulbs were stressing him out.