Quote Originally Posted by GoingPostal View Post
In your pics it looks pretty intimidating to a young ball python, bright lights, open hides that aren't identical, glass tank that's a lot larger than a snake his size would need. It's clearly not working for either of you if he's not eating and you are struggling with temps and humidity that badly. Can you add smaller hides with only one entrance that match each other so he's not picking favored hide over proper temps? I'd also drop the light, stick with CHE or a heat mat so the light isn't an added stressor. If you are toggling it off hour by hour that's going to be bothering him as well as making your temps change hourly. Stability and security is all he's looking for. With a snake that isn't eating, especially a young one live HAS to be an option and long before force feeding should ever be done. I bred feeders for many years because there's no local pet store and have driven several hours to pick up feeders on multiple occasions when a picky snake wouldn't take anything else.
He has three hides in his tank, two of which /are/ identical. He makes use of all three. The identical ones are spread to opposite corners, hot side and cool side, with the log just there as an option. I am surprised to see so many people on here take issue with my lamp. My vet strongly recommended a basking lamp, and actually dislikes UTHs a LOT. He’s been around snakes since he was a boy, and is now a very experienced man. My own father is a veterinarian, but he specializes in equine medicine and the practice he owns only sees small mammals and equines. However he has worked with Dr. Brauer, my Smake’s vet, in the past and they both hold each other in high regard. So I trust what he says. He said he’s seen a lot of horror stories about burns from UTHs and has never had issues with lamps. Now this did confuse me since everyone on here seems to say the opposite, saying their snakes got terrible burns from lamps and have never been hurt by a UTH. So I’m confused, but more inclined to side with my vet. My sister’s friend knows another vet so if I can gather the money, I will see about getting a visit in with him.

The light now stays on for an hour, off for half an hour, on for an hour and so forth. Lmk if this is still a bad thing.

I apologize if I missed something, I’m typing on mobile which is a pain.

Finally, I have his old ten gallon tank still. That’s his only other option for a tank. if y’all think he should go back to this tank and retire the big one until he’s bigger, that’s fine. Lmk.

Thank you.