Unexplained Passing.....Any Thoughts??

[zina10]

For Ball Pythons or any reptile that has higher humidity needs and lives in a tank I prefer any of the coco substrates !! They can be misted and tend to hold on to the humidity longer without molding.

Ball Pythons can be most rewarding snakes, but also most frustrating. While their most pressing needs are actually quite simple once figured out and dialed in, those needs are very important to them and they seem less forgiving then other species. Part of that is their shy and easily stressed nature. Heat/humidity all need to be correct but they also need to feel safe.

Some Ball Pythons will choose "safe" over the needed temperature, or over food.

Meaning, if they only feel safe in the cool end of their tank, they may hang out there, even though they need to be warmer. Which can cause havoc on digestion. If they even eat at all, not having the privacy they seek.

Tanks can be made to work for Ball Pythons. Its just a little more work to get everything working well. I prefer substrate, esp. coco substrate (whether fine like dirt, chunky or the golden middle, like Reptile Prime) You can mist part of it daily if needed (leave some dry areas for the snake)

Under tank heater. Controlled by a thermostat, which is a MUST. The temperature inside of the tank, right above the heat source (not measured on top of substrate) should be between 90 to 93 degrees. The layer of substrate shouldn't be to thick, so that the snake can wiggle down to get warmer or stay on top to be cooler. If you measure on top of the substrate, the heat below may be to high, and if your snake burrows down it can get burned.

Ambient (air) temperature in the tank and on the cooler side shouldn't fall below high seventies at the lowest.

Privacy is a BIG thing for BP's. You should have hides in the warm and cooler end. So they do not choose their favorite hide over being warm enough or cool enough. "Blacken" out the sides and back of the tank by gluing and taping dark paper on the outside. Cover the top as much as possible (around lamp, etc) You want some air flow, but you also want to create a "cave" of some sort, so they feel safer.

Feed inside of the tank. The small bits of substrate they may ingest are less of a problem then moving a Ball Python around during the time they crave safety at the most.

You can re-use the tank you had for your next Ball Python. I think you would do perfectly fine with another one. Just sanitize that tank thoroughly first and don't reuse any deco.
Your chances of success are higher if you go with a hatchling from a reputable breeder. Pick a nice, well established one with a bit of size to it.