Odd recent behavior

[derrabe]

The last few days I have noticed that our BP is just hanging out on the lip of the Rubbermaid type box that is his water dish. He doesn't appear to be uncomfortable but spends lots of time just laying there. Like the last 3 days I have noticed him there almost every time I have walked by. Any thoughts? The temp on the warm side are 90-92 and the colder side 75-77 and the humidity is about 50-60.

[littleindiangirl]

Is he doing this during the day? Got a pic of your set up? It is uncommon for BP's to be out during the day and not hiding in either of their hides.

A rundown of your set up will help, also how your measuring the temps as well.

[derrabe]

I actually just had the wife check on him and he was in his hide and and the temps are 94 and and 82 I normally check on him in the evening to night time, since I work during the day. And I use a IR gun to test temps.



this a picture of my setup. His is the bottom and they are heated by two uths. In case your curious they are 4ft x 2ft x 2ft each

[littleindiangirl]

Just a couple of things I'd like to help you with. I notice you are using the stick on dial thermometers and hygrometers. The dial ones are notorious for being off by a lot, and also have a tendency to stick on one spot. In short, they are just completely unreliable.

While there are no super accurate hygrometers, inexpensive and trustworthy digital thermometers are easy to come by. I use the Acurite brand, Digital thermometer/ hygrometer. The unit I use has a long probe as well to measure the hot spot for the animal, while the unit itself is put over onto the cool end to measure the ambient air temps and humidity. They are found at Walmart for 12$. Such a good investment, I highly suggest getting.

Also, what are you using to heat the cage with? Any uth's?

[derrabe]

Sorry I forgot to add that if you look under the picture I editted to say that and yes the are actually 2 uths set to different temp one on each side. Also I dont really use the analog gauges for the temp and yeah I just dont really have a walmart local and we make sure to keep the humidity up by using a mist sprayer of water 2-3 time a day.

[littleindiangirl]

Sorry I forgot to add that if you look under the picture I editted to say that and yes the are actually 2 uths set to different temp one on each side. Also I dont really use the analog gauges for the temp and yeah I just dont really have a walmart local and we make sure to keep the humidity up by using a mist sprayer of water 2-3 time a day.

So what do you use to measure temps and humidity? It's an important thing to know at all times. You need to know so you can provide proper levels for digestion, health, and stress factors, knowing the climate in your cage is a huge must. Perhaps I misunderstood your comment?

If you don't have a walmart nearby, or any large chain store like home depot, lowe's, etc... There is the option of internet sales. We have purchased many items online from Reptile Basics. com. I suggest looking into it.


I'm really sticking on this because of the large size of your enclosure. Having used a 20 gallon tall tank before, I know how difficult it is to maintain proper temps and humidity. It's not impossible, but it does take a lot of work.

Your cage is very large and tall, making proper humidity and temps most likely hard to come by, unless your room is heated to 80 degrees as well.

Also, the openness of the cage can factor in to the behavior of your snake. BP's, as you may have noticed, hide 90% of the time. The openness of the cage can prevent them from thermoregulating by them choosing security over comfort.

Something to keep in mind...

[derrabe]

I use an Infrared temp gun to measure the temp and the humidy as I said I spray the enclosure a few times a day to keep the humidity up becuase it is a dry basement.

[Jenn]

Connie makes a good point. That enclosure is huge for a BP. And I would be worried about misting and snake pee on the plywood. Seems a likely place for nasty things to grow.

[littleindiangirl]

I use an Infrared temp gun to measure the temp and the humidy as I said I spray the enclosure a few times a day to keep the humidity up becuase it is a dry basement.

Well, if the climate is perfect, then the next thing to cause behavior could be the openness of the cage. Have you thought about any decorations or fake plants to fill up the space?


It's nature for them to not want to move into the open, any sort of predator would make a quick snack of them. We have to take that into account, and modify their enclosures to promote proper thermoregulation, and to avoid stress.