Ball python hasn't eaten since adoption

[PitOnTheProwl]

I'm not sure of the exact temperature but I'd estimate that it's 80-90.

Exact is what you want. How would you estimate such a huge gap in temperature?

[Craiga 01453]

I'm not sure of the exact temperature but I'd estimate that it's 80-90.

That is a HUGE gap. Do you have a temp gun?

[g928]

My thermometer doesn't have a probe that can be placed under the substrate. Is there a different method that could be used?
Edit: I don't have a temp gun either.

[Craiga 01453]

You really need to know your temps. How can you say you've read up on husbandry and can't find any issues with yours? Yet you don't know your temps within a 10 degree estimate?
Your temps are a vital part of your husbandry

[PitOnTheProwl]

Buy a temp gun..... Lowes, Walmart, Home Depot, Amazon.. They are not hard to find.
Husbandry needs to be on point and not guessed. Its not like a dog or cat that can run away, its kind of stuck in your care.

[g928]

I keep track of the temperature of everything else. I should have taken more care to pay attention to the temperature under the substrate. Is there anything I can do right now to get an exact reading without a probe or temp gun?
Edit: I'll look for one as well, thank you.

[g928]

I'm going to order an identical hide as well as a temp gun-- thank you everyone for your advice so far.
Is there anything else wrong that you see with the husbandry?

[Craiga 01453]

I would suggest you look over the stickies on this forum about setting up enclosures.
Pretend you're starting at step one and read through the basics again, and follow what you read.

[wolfy-hound]

Change those things that need changed, get an exact temp in all the various places, especially on the surface of the glass over the heat pad and also how are you checking the humidity? I know you said digital, but I just wondered which type?

Once all of that is switched around, I would definitely try a rat crawler. Are you feeding him in the cage without disturbing him? I.E. placing the prey in and leaving him alone for a while? A crawler should be harmless to him so leaving it in for him to smell and find it should not be dangerous(live adult mice can be a danger though).

[g928]

The temperature and hydrometer are recorded on the same device. There's no probes or wiring or anything like that, it's battery powered.
I feed him in his cage, but I have had to keep a good eye on it because I know live feeding can go wrong very easily. After I get the new hide and get all the surface temps, I'll let him settle into the new setup for a few days and then I'll try the rat crawler and I'll completely leave him alone.