Thermostat probe placement in my tank?

[Snow Balls]

"BPs don't eat well and skip many meals". That's true of any snake in less than ideal husbandry conditions. In many ADULT snakes there may be spans of time determined by season or breeding state that include meal refusal. But in general, a baby/juvenile BP - and most adult BP - will only refuse meals if something is off about their husbandry. So that isn't a characteristic of the snake. It's an issue with the keeper.

While I agree with mostly everything you said, this is not entirely true. Spotty eaters are all to common in the BP world regardless of husbandry. I have multiple Adults and Juveniles who refuse often along with some hatchlings who refuse occasionally yet my husbandry is spot on. It just happens, even in perfect conditions

[Caitlin]

While I agree with mostly everything you said, this is not entirely true. Spotty eaters are all to common in the BP world regardless of husbandry. I have multiple Adults and Juveniles who refuse often along with some hatchlings who refuse occasionally yet my husbandry is spot on. It just happens, even in perfect conditions

Heard and understood. I should have said things more carefully! I DO think that the essentially shy and rather sensitive nature of BP may make them more prone to food refusals - they can be super sensitive to slight changes and shifts even in good conditions. So it certainly can't always be called bad husbandry. I just get frustrated with so many of the negative generalizations about these snakes, because it leads to new keepers having very unrealistic expectations or getting needlessly frustrated when their snake just...acts like a snake.

[Snow Balls]

I DO think that the essentially shy and rather sensitive nature of BP may make them more prone to food refusals

Most definitely, my picky eaters are my shyest BPs

[CakeLike]

I know I am very prone to overreact. But that's because I really acknowledge the responsibility I take on when I bring an animal into my care. I know I am the sole keeper who "decides" if the animal thrives or is on the brink of dying off. I take it very seriously. Too seriously at times. But I am the kind of person who rather makes sure everything is perfect beforehand instead of regreting things later I could have done differntly.
I do appreaciate the help. But I have also noticed a certain kind of aversion of vets in the reprile keeping hobby. There seem to be many keepers who don't trust vets and just think they are out for their money. At least I have noticed this more in reptile keepers than say people who own cats and dogs.
So that's why I take it with a grain of salt when people tell me not to go to the vet.

[KMG]

I know I am very prone to overreact. But that's because I really acknowledge the responsibility I take on when I bring an animal into my care. I know I am the sole keeper who "decides" if the animal thrives or is on the brink of dying off. I take it very seriously. Too seriously at times. But I am the kind of person who rather makes sure everything is perfect beforehand instead of regreting things later I could have done differntly.
I do appreaciate the help. But I have also noticed a certain kind of aversion of vets in the reprile keeping hobby. There seem to be many keepers who don't trust vets and just think they are out for their money. At least I have noticed this more in reptile keepers than say people who own cats and dogs.
So that's why I take it with a grain of salt when people tell me not to go to the vet.

Many vets don't know much about reptiles. That's why. If you have a specialist near you consider yourself lucky as most don't. I'm lucky as I have Gulf Coast in Houston, another I know of way south of Houston and one way way northwest. I don't recall the name of the one south but the NW one is Paws to Claws.

Snakes are just not as common as dogs and cats plus they don't use vet services like them so they don't require vet visits every year. That means vets don't see many in many places. Out of all my snakes only two have seen vets in the past 10 years.

[Hugsplox]

I know I am very prone to overreact. But that's because I really acknowledge the responsibility I take on when I bring an animal into my care. I know I am the sole keeper who "decides" if the animal thrives or is on the brink of dying off. I take it very seriously. Too seriously at times. But I am the kind of person who rather makes sure everything is perfect beforehand instead of regreting things later I could have done differntly.
I do appreaciate the help. But I have also noticed a certain kind of aversion of vets in the reprile keeping hobby. There seem to be many keepers who don't trust vets and just think they are out for their money. At least I have noticed this more in reptile keepers than say people who own cats and dogs.
So that's why I take it with a grain of salt when people tell me not to go to the vet.

I think you’re misunderstanding us. No one has an aversion to vets, we’re just trying to make you understand the risks that come from unnecessary vet visits especially to vets that don't specialize in reptiles.

If I hurt my knee for example, I might go to my primary care doctor, but he’s going to refer me to an orthopedic specialist. Not because he knows nothing about knees, but because he doesn’t specialize in knees. Your local vet may know that a snake is a snake, or know a little about them, but realistically they may not be able to tell you anything that we haven’t and then you’ve wasted time, money, and stressed your snake.

Even if you do have a reptile specialist, I’m still not convinced that you wouldn’t just “take what they say with a grain of salt.” Again, stop messing with it and stop messing with its enclosure. I’d be willing to put money on you getting way better results doing nothing at this point than a vet visit. I just saw you made another post wanting to add a clean-up crew because you’re tired of doing a complete enclosure clean every month. Stop doing that? Why are you replacing substrate every month? Give that snake time to settle in, stop changing things and let him get use to his enclosure.

[CakeLike]

Well because you're supposed to clean the enclosure. I clean mine every month because of the bacteria and so on bit I put the items back as they where before.

[CakeLike]

I am only considering a specialist of course. I do have a vet in my area who also provides care for reptiles of local zoos.
I'm nor decided yet. For now I am watching how he does.

[Snow Balls]

Well because you're supposed to clean the enclosure. I clean mine every month because of the bacteria and so on bit I put the items back as they where before.

Obviously you’re supposed to clean the enclosure. Most people do it every other month and spot clean as needed. I’m not sure why it’s taking you 4 hours to clean your enclosure though


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[dakski]

I know I am very prone to overreact. But that's because I really acknowledge the responsibility I take on when I bring an animal into my care. I know I am the sole keeper who "decides" if the animal thrives or is on the brink of dying off. I take it very seriously. Too seriously at times. But I am the kind of person who rather makes sure everything is perfect beforehand instead of regreting things later I could have done differntly.
I do appreaciate the help. But I have also noticed a certain kind of aversion of vets in the reprile keeping hobby. There seem to be many keepers who don't trust vets and just think they are out for their money. At least I have noticed this more in reptile keepers than say people who own cats and dogs.
So that's why I take it with a grain of salt when people tell me not to go to the vet.

1. You "decide" whether your animal thrives or not. That is correct. If the animal is young and vulnerable and there is indeed nothing wrong, taking it to the vet is an added stress that can CAUSE issues.

I've taken animals to the vet before and I have 2 good reptile vets I trust. I drive 2 hours to get them to a good vet (the vets are in opposite directions). I generally bring a fecal when I first get an animal and while he/she is in quarantine. Have you thought of doing just that? Bringing in a fecal to have it tested? 90% of issues can be ruled out or in with a fecal.

I have to weigh in the risk and stress on the animal and whether it is worth it and indeed necessary. Reptiles can get sick, but most of the time it's because the keeper is doing something wrong. There can be injuries and illnesses, but most of the time, certainly in younger animals, it's keeper error. Further, not sure where you live, but even being in and out of a cold car this time of year can be stress.

We all have to deal with and weigh these factors. Right now, my basement/reptile area is being torn apart and re-done because of a sewage flood. My reptiles are cooped up in my office at 75F and not ideal conditions. This is stress, but I have no choice. I also know each one is healthy and happy and I planned on this. However, still a risk. I look at reptile care similar to fish/aquarium care except that most reptiles aren't as sensitive as most fish. However, we have to control their environment for them to live long and healthy lives.

I do not think reptiles need annual physicals etc. The stress does more harm than good. Further, many vets are not reptile specialists and if you don't know what to ask, this can add insult to injury because although they may mean well, again can do more harm than good.

We have tried to tell you it's probably fine and you could be creating a problem. That's not because we do not like vets, it's because we like your snake.

2. If you are spending 4 hours cleaning your tank, do your snake and yourself a favor and use paper substrate. It doesn't take me that long to keep 11 tanks clean - spotless. I use paper substrate. A big reason to use other substrates are decor/aesthetics and humidity. You have a small PVC tank now, but it's PVC. Humidity holds well. Use paper substrate. I do. Many others do, especially who keep multiple animals. Having one snake should not be a part-time job.