Is it WEIRD?

[thedigi1]

Hey guys its been a while since I posted last but here I am again looking for some answers and where better to get them here at ball python.net!!!

LOL anyhow my ball has been acting a little strange lately and I wonder if this is cause he is growing. For like 2 months he digs and digs through his bedding. I have never seen this behavior before its almost like hes hiding in the bedding he digs tunnels. He does this when I'm asleep and in the morning I notice the mess so I was wondering if this is normal? I always make it look neat then next morning its all over the place. I wouldn't worry but I notice this morning that he was laying directly over the heat pad and when I picked him up he was hot. So if anyone knows why this is going on please let me know

thanks

[kidt89]

there are two possiblities for your BP burrowing

1 he just wants to burrow because belive it or not ball pythons are known to occasionally burrow in the wild.

2 you have to much depth with your substrate. which makes it harder for him or her to feel the warmth of the UTH.

most likely its is the former explanation.

[dr del]

Hi,


Just to check...

Is the heatmat being controled by a thermostat to make sure it isn't getting to dangerous temperatures?

Does he have a tight, secure, dark hide at each ends and more if it is a large tank?

That might help people narrow down their answers.



dr del

[thedigi1]

I do but i have it on high so that he stays warm and he has a very large hide from wood that he fits comfortably in.

[edie]

I do but i have it on high so that he stays warm and he has a very large hide from wood that he fits comfortably in.

Oh high? So it is a dialed one not one that you can control temperature (number wise, not high/medium/low) on? Do you know the temperature of the heat pad?

Most heat pads can reach temperatures of 110+, which can be very dangerous for your snake. You need to know exact or at least very close to exact temperatures in your BPs cage.. many people on here recommend Acurite thermometers which tell you basking temp. ambient temp. and humidity.

A digital thermostat is going to be the best option for controlling temperatures on your snakes heat pad. I have a Herpstat and a Helix, you program in the temperature you want and it makes the heat pad that temperature, you play around with them a little until the inside temp. of the basking spot is a good temperature for the snake.

Also, it is usually reccomended that the snake have two identical hides.. one on the warm side and one on the cool side so the snake can pick and choose which one he wants to go in to control its body temperature.

[rishnack]

one of my females jool,s does this also, i use carpet though, but she,ll crawl under the carpet and cruise around for a bit then come out and hit up one of her hide box,s i use bulbs and thought maybe she was trying to get away from the heat , but temps are fine, shes just curious i guess

[Sophiax]

My snake loves to make tunnels and burrow around, and it's not for the heat (she has side mounted heat), and she has fine snug hides too. It's just a personality thing, maybe?

If yours burrows as part of its nightly roaming, it's probably fine. But if it's seeking better heat, I'd echo the others above to make sure the snake can't burrow down and burn itself (make a barrier of reptile carpet or something) and that the top of the substrate is at an adequate temperature.

[RoyalGuardian]

Your ball likes to dig, mine likes to climb... lol we have weird snakes! lol!