Won't Use Hide

[gtgibs]

Hi all! So I have a 7 month old ball python (Ferdinand) I got about a little over a month ago. He's been relatively happy: eating once a week, hiding during the day, and out and about a bit at night. I hold him every other day for only about 15 or so and I haven't had any issues with his temperature or humidity. I spot clean every other day and deep clean once a week. Anyways, this past week he has stopped using his main hide (the one with a covered heating pad under it). He has now started sleeping in the corner behind it under the foliage I have in there. I bought a heat lamp with a 60 watt red bulb recently to keep him a little warmer (temp was falling a little low). Is this normal behavior? I checked to make sure his hide was clean and everything. I just want to make sure my little guy is happy.

[Hugsplox]

Do you have two identical hides? If not, it could be that he's uncomfortable in the warm hide, but doesn't feel comfortable enough with the other hide to spend time in it. You also mentioned deep cleaning once a week, could you give us a few more details about what you mean? To me deep cleaning is removing substrate, wiping down with cleaning solution, the whole deal.

You also said you handle every other day, did you give him time to settle in before you started this? Typicall it's recommended that you let snakes eat three times back to back for you before you start handling to let them get use to their new home.

The last thing, the heat mat that you have under his warm hide, what's the temprature on that, how are you checking it, and do you have it running on a thermostat? You said it was covered, do you mean by the hide or by substrate?

[gtgibs]

No, they are different hides. He'll use the cooler one sometimes but not often, he usually uses the warm side one. Yes, I remove all the substrate, wipe everything down with diluted alcohol, then wipe down with wet paper towels, and replace all the substrate. Yes, I let him settle in and he's eaten 4 times since getting him, I've had no problems with feeding. The heating mat is usually around 99 and I have a thermostat attached to it. It is under the tank and I have the substrate covering it and the hide over that. Is that too hot for him? He was using it the first 4 weeks but maybe it's too much now?

[KMG]

What was low when it came to temps?

99 is the temp over the uth? Is this being checked with a IR temp gun?

(note: you should have no more than 1/4 inch of substrate over a uth)
Is this the case?

[KMG]

No, they are different hides. He'll use the cooler one sometimes but not often, he usually uses the warm side one. Yes, I remove all the substrate, wipe everything down with diluted alcohol, then wipe down with wet paper towels, and replace all the substrate. Yes, I let him settle in and he's eaten 4 times since getting him, I've had no problems with feeding. The heating mat is usually around 99 and I have a thermostat attached to it. It is under the tank and I have the substrate covering it and the hide over that. Is that too hot for him? He was using it the first 4 weeks but maybe it's too much now?

Is sounds like the uth is higher than it should be. You should have very little substrate and the number the tstat is set to and the number on the cage floor should be pretty close. I keep my hotspots between 85-88 so yes I would say yours is too hot.

I would also say the deep cleaning is over the top and not needed.

[gtgibs]

My low temp is 80 and the heating pad itself is up to 99 (it has a plug in thermometer with it). There is a very thin layer of substrate over the spot of the heating pad. So it's probably cooler than 99, the thermostat is plugged in straight to the pad so I'll invest in a heat gun to check over substrate and tank. Why did he use it initially if it was too hot? I'm a first time owner so I'm trying to gather all the info I can. I'll stop deep cleaning as often. How often should I deep clean, once a month?

[KMG]

My low temp is 80 and the heating pad itself is up to 99 (it has a plug in thermometer with it). There is a very thin layer of substrate over the spot of the heating pad. So it's probably cooler than 99, the thermostat is plugged in straight to the pad so I'll invest in a heat gun to check over substrate and tank. Why did he use it initially if it was too hot? I'm a first time owner so I'm trying to gather all the info I can. I'll stop deep cleaning as often. How often should I deep clean, once a month?

Without knowing what the actual temp of the surface over the uth I can not say if the number is high or not. I would guess it is. Why do you have it set to 99 anyways? Where did you find a suggestion for a hotspot over 90? Many people go by that but in my own experience I just do not find it is needed. 85 is plenty and gives some cushion for temp fluctuation.

I can not say why he used it at first and not now. It could be the temp but then it could be other things.

As for the hides being different I don't believe they have to be the same. They just need to give the snake the secure feeling it needs. I have tested this with my snakes by switching their hides and seeing if they stay in the same hide or stay on the same side regardless of the hide. In my experience they stayed on the side they preferred regardless of the hide.....as long as the hide was proper and gave them what they needed.

If the hide is a bit large for the snake adding some moss inside can make it feel smaller and therefor more secure. I have moss in many of my hides for this reason.

- - - Updated - - -

Oh and the low temp being 80 is not bad. If you were keeping it at 80 before the lamp it shouldn't be needed.....maybe in the cooler months.

[gtgibs]

It's just the heating pad I got when I first got him, it doesn't have a regulator. Honestly I thought it would be fine since it's covered with substrate but I probably shouldn't assume. I'll invest in a heat gun and then a different pad if need be. Maybe I'll add some moss to make it snugger, it might be too big for him. Or try to switch the hides, the cooler one is smaller. He's still acting normal, the warm side is about 88 usually. I'll try your suggestions, thank you!

[KMG]

It's just the heating pad I got when I first got him, it doesn't have a regulator. Honestly I thought it would be fine since it's covered with substrate but I probably shouldn't assume. I'll invest in a heat gun and then a different pad if need be. Maybe I'll add some moss to make it snugger, it might be too big for him. Or try to switch the hides, the cooler one is smaller. He's still acting normal, the warm side is about 88 usually. I'll try your suggestions, thank you!

An unregulated uth can burn your snake causing great injury and even death. You need to unplug it and get a thermostat.....or at least a dimmer.

Google burned snakes to see what they can do.

[KMG]

Having a thick substrate over the uth can insulate the heat and create a dangerous situation even with a tstat. This is why you should not have more than a 1/4 inch. Honestly if you pick up my hides that are in cages with substrate you will see the cage floor. I don't have any substrate really covering that area.