Ball python keeps getting under newspaper and thawing question

[dakski]

Hello all,
I really appreciate the help I get from this website and quick responses I received last time I made a post about my bps ambient temps. The issue I am having is that my bp continues to get under the newspaper and lay on the plastic at the bottom of her tub. The UTH is of course on the otherside of the plastic and not directly in her tub. This is concerning to me because it is set at 88 degrees and usually warms up the newspaper to around that 88-92 temp range. I have a space heater close to her cage which keeps the ambient temps in the low 80s. If she lays directly on the plastic the temps fluctuate much more and I fear get too warm for her 95 temp range or sometimes more. She is a 500gram bp in a 18 quart tub. I am planning on upgrading her to a new larger tub soon. Her cage has a plastic black hide box, a small hide, and a water dish.
My question is how do you prevent them from getting under the newspaper? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Also I had questions about thawing. She has been an extremely consistent feeder, and has now just recently started turning down rats. Last time she tried to eat she struck at the rat missed got scared and had no interest in eating after that.
My typical routine for heating her rats has been let the rat thaw next to her cage for 2-3 hours, and then put it in the hottest tap water I can get for 10-15 minutes and then dunk the head to get the temps up. She does not seem to take the rat if the entire thing is drenched, which I try to prevent happening but sometimes water still manages to get into the bag. Should I try double bagging? Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated for both of these questions.
Thank you!

A couple quick thoughts.

1. BP's like to borough. I wouldn't worry about that. Like Ax01 said, make sure you have enough, and properly sized, hides. I use printless newspaper and sometimes my BP gets under it. My BP hasn't lately as I filled her 6X2' tank with hides. Most of the time, she is one of those, sometimes under the paper, and sometimes both! Important to have hides, preferably the same size, on warm and cool side, if not more if there is a lot of room in the tank.

2. Keep temps under 90F on the hot side. Thermostat probes will often not indicate the ground temp. Use a temp gun to get a proper temp reading at the ground and adjust accordingly.

It might be 88F at thermostat probe, but 92F at the ground. Lower the thermostat 1F degree at time until you get the temps you want.

3. At her weight, I wouldn't worry about her refusing food. How often and what are you feeding (weaned rat, small rats, etc)? BP's are known to fast at times, and this could be totally normal, and she might want to be fed either smaller meals, or less often. I feed my adult BP every two weeks because if I offer every week, she often refuses, or eats for 3 weeks, and then doesn't for 3 weeks, etc. She, unless in a winter fast, eats like clockwork every two weeks.

4. Ok to defrost at room temp for a while. I use room temp water, but that's me. However, BP's want raw food, not cooked food. A rat, especially a small one, will start cooking even in hot tap water 120-130F for 10-15 minutes. That could lead to refusal and also isn't great for the snake's digestion and health either.

Then, when totally defrosted, drop in hot tap water for 30-60 seconds. This will thoroughly warm the rodent. Then dry quickly with a paper towel and offer immediately.

Others use hairdryers to warm up the rodent. That works too. I find it quicker and easier, and have had better luck, with the quick hot water bath (again hot tap water - nowhere near boiling etc.).

Good luck and keep us in the loop.