Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi there.. my ball like to sit on the top of her cage~ by this i mean we have her in a 100 gal tank that has a half screened half glass top for ventiation and humidity and she gets in between the screen and glass and sit there all day she scared the crap outa me the first time she did it i thought she was stuck took the whole thing apart and then got up in am and she was right back there again and i went towards the cage and out to greet me she came~ not stuck at all i guess it is warm there not hot not cold i checked to make sure she wouldnt get burned as it is about 6 " from lights but seems safe she has a under tank heater and a basking spot she just prefers this spot and she has hide boxes but i have never seen her in them so do you think this ok for her or should i bloack off her way to get to the spot?i dunno how i will blaock it but ill work it out if yall think it needs to happen.. leme know

You said your BP is only 2 feet? A 100 gallon enclosure sounds big for a Bp of that size.But also Whatare your temps and ambient temps? Pictures of your enclosure might help too. How big are your hides ? if they are too big then he may not feel secure in them which woould be why he chose the space in between the screen and plexi.Besides that BPs are escape artists anyway. Hope I could help, but pictures would definately help people help you.

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Be as good to me as I am to my animals
1.0 ball python(normal)Maximus/ and 1 unknown sex normal
0.1 golden retriever Amber
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she is about 1 and a half born july 02 she is about 2 12 feet the reason she is in such a large tank is that i had it and i didnt want to keep having to get a larger encosure as she grew just got the largest she would need she seems to be ok w it and her hids are small two small boxes from a 20 gallon fish tank filter box i wouls soo love to show yuo pics but i cant figure out how to get it on here i have a digi cam and somone tried to tell me how to do it but i am clueless lol i could email them to you i know hoe to do that.. her temps are warm side 85 -100 100 at top 85 substrate and cool 76 substrate she has a water pond in the middle of temps ill send ya a pic what yr email addy?im cbluefairy@aol.com my husband also has a kingsnake and we are on the sulcata tortoise forum too so im always here *smile*lemme know thanks!

the temps on your warm side and cool side should be constant. They do not need basking spots. Also 100 degrees is to hot for a ball python get it to around 92, 95 at tops. And the cool side should be around 80 not 76, 75 is the minimum for a night time temp. you only have 2 hides in a 100 gallon tank? that is way to little. You need to either get her a smaller cage or get the temps back to good and get more hideboxes. If you have a 20L aquarium that will be perfect for her.
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 normal ball python (felix)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

I agree, get your warm side temps (on top of substrate where your snake would actually feel the heat) to 90 (95 tops), cool side 80-85. This should stay fairly stable. Your temps can drop at night, but make sure there is still a temp gradient of 5-10 degrees between sides and that the cool side temps don't go below 75.

What substrate are you using? What are you using to provide heat (light, uth, human heating pad, both, etc)?

Add more hides. I have my BP in a 50 gallon and he has 4 hides to choose from. Not sure what size those hides are from your description, but here's some great tips on hides:
proexotics.com/FAQ_answers_Hide_Spots.html
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"Kira"

I just stumbled on one of your posts below and see you're using both a uth and light for heat. Since your warm side belly heat is too low (get to 90-95) sounds like she's just trying to get closer to the heat which is up top. They don't need to bask so overhead heat is not necessary. Think about it - they're nocturnal so wouldn't really be found basking in the sunlight. However, overhead lights do make good supplemental heat - but belly heat is more important. That way she can feel secure in a hide while getting the proper heat she needs. Up your uth temps and maybe go for a lower wattage light since your uth should be good enough. Or move the light to the cool side since those temps are too low - may need to go for lower wattage on that side.

I have my BP in a 50 gallon glass tank with uth on warm side and I have to use an infrared heat light to up the temps on the cool side (otherwise they get too low). The light doubles for a great nighttime viewing light.

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1.0 Ball Python
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1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
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0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

ok will do~ the temp for belly heat is currently 90 is that ok? and i see your tank does it have ventalation?(sp) do they need alot of ventalation?
thanks for the help i really need help getting a pic on here! i have tried and tried can i email you a pic and you tell me what you think? i will add more hides tonight also and take out the day heat bulb thanks again for yr help ~Erica

My tank has a screen top, but that allows too much humidity to get out and makes it difficult to keep heat in. So I have put duct tape all over the screen lid leaving openings for the lights (so the tape doesn't burn). I've also added a Tropic-Aire humidifier to keep humidity in range..

I'd love to see a pic so feel free to email me:

tigergenesis@comcast.net
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1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

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"Kira"

90 belly heat is good. Just to be sure, what are you using to measure with (digital thermometer w/ probes, stick on thermometer or analog,etc) and where is the thermometer placed (actually on top of the substrate or to the side/back of the tank near the bottom, etc)?
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1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

i have the digi therm right on top of the substrate above the under tank heater and on the wall behind it also so i can see air temp too and on cool side i added a black light and a therm just on top of the substrate under the light its now at 79 cool side and 93 warm~that better? i hope so i dunno what else to do lol

Much better. Maybe use a higher wattage bulb on the cool side to get temps up a bit more - or add a second light.

setup looks nice and your snake is beautiful!
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thank you! i love her! what temp do you suggest on cool side? its 79 now that still too low?

If you get it up more that would be better (80-85), but it really depends on how much (if any it drops at night at the current temperature). If you do keep it where it's at, keep an eye on her and see where she spends most of her time. If she's avoiding the cool side it may be too cool.
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1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

ok will do thanks so much for yr help i sooo appriciate it i want her healthy and happy

.
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1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

sorry to ask again but i posted up there for a new ?? and im getting the run around sorta what do you keep yr humidity level at? i was told if i spray my tank once daily it will keep the humidity ok it has worked so far ,its at 60% now i sprayed at 8 am so is this ok to do? im not getting the snake just the mulch etc

what kind of mulch are you using?
if you have a screen top cover all of it except where lights are with saran wrap.
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 normal ball python (felix)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

I don't think spraying the mulch is a good idea as you don't want to end up with wet substrate, mold and respiratory problems. When I used to spray, I sprayed the back wall and plants in my tank. I also use carpet substrate. I don't know that keeping it at the proper range for only a short time a day is good/useful. I would imagine (not sure) that the fluctuating humidity might not be good?

Anyway, humidity of 50-60% during nonshed times and higher during shed is good (up to 70% if you can). However, if you make a humid hide and your BP uses it then you really don't have to worry about humidity in the rest of the cage (meaning no more spraying).
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1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

oh no now im afraid ima gonna hurt her ! sigh this is complicated , so i know how to make a humid hide but getting her to use it will not be fun she doesnt seem to like goin into things like hide boxes etc she and i see what yr sayin about sraying the mulch prob not good but if i cover all the screen exept fot he light parts will there be enogh ventilation in there for her? i got the heat prob donr now i have to deal w the humidity one lol sorry

As long as you leave a gap for the lights (and maybe even an extra 1/2 inch if you want) you should be fine. I go in my BPs tank daily so I figure that helps get some fresh air in, etc. Also the humidifier I use is supposed to help with the air exchange.

My BP won't use a humid hide. I might try again soon though, as it's been awhile since I've tried it. If you put her in it and then close the lid at least she'll know it's there and maybe she'll use it.

You might try covering the screen, back off the spraying, add a humid hide to the warm side and see how that goes. Adding a second water dish (this one on the warm side above the uth) should help up humidity a bit. Those lights will sometimes dry the air out too - but I have to use it.
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1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

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"Indigo"

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"Kira"

im taking up the whole forum lol oops!!! a humid hide i have one for my turtle its basicly the same for a snake i assume? a med tupperware bowl w lid on with water inside w a hole large enough for snake to get in is that right?

that is a water dish hide (mine never used its water bowl when i had it in the cage). A humid hide would be a tupperware container with a hole cut in it and on the bottom of the hide moist paper towls or sphagum moss.
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 normal ball python (felix)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

I've usually heard of people using damp spaghum moss - not just water. But this may be one method. But if your snake doesn't care to soak they may prefer the moss. Just use a rubbermaid container and create an access hole in the top of the lid.
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1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

ok i have been workin on the tank all day lol i solved my prob for now by putting a wet towel over the exposed screen top leavin about 1 in all around for vent air and fire hazard reasons lol ill wash it often to prevent mold etc I put a huge water bowl in center of tank and put a human heating pad directly under the tank where the bowl is located and my humidity is now at 70 %!! heat on the warm side bottom is 94 cool side is 80, top of tank is 80 on warm and 75 on cool, took out one day glo bulb on hot side so it will always be same temp over there (80 top 94 bottom) thank you all for all your help im sure ill be on here alot so bear with me!!!!!i was told by jeff at the top of the posts that a tank isnt the best bet but its what i have chosen for now and ill make it work as best i can i know alot of you use tanks and have healthy pythons its all a matter of opinion i guess thanks again! Erica

You'll find the reason some people are against tanks is because of their difficulty in holding proper temps and humiidty. But it can be made to work - you've just proven it. There's nothing wrong with a tank, as long as you have it setup properly and everything is in order. Good job!

So how long have you had her (what's her name)? Has she eaten for you at all?
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1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

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"Indigo"

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"Kira"

hey there temps are all the same today yay! i was worried theyd change overnight but thet seem good today, her name is chloe' and i have had her for 3 weeks now she hasnt eaten for me at all i try every monday~ so we will see about tomarrow i have a copy of her feeding /shed chart from the petstore and she didnt eat for 2 months when they first got her from their breeder im hoping it wont be as long this time ! but it is also winter which doesnt help matters either!how long have you had yours? do you know the sex? i have no clue but im in a house of men here lol so im makin her a girl lol ill prob get her probed and find out its a male w my luck he he

of coaurse after i sent it via email to everyone lol never fails!
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Erica
my zoo includes:
1 ball python "chloe"
1 sucata tort "tinkerbell"
1 C.A king "slinky"
1 x mas corn"penny"
2 cats "olivia and v"
4 monster kids Matt,Amber,Zach,Jake
1 on way

good to hear. She may not have been eating due to the temps & hide situation. Once she has time to settle with the new setup she'll hopefully eat again - but then it could be the normal off-feed thing.

I've had my BP for almost 7 months now. He's 9 months old and such a sweetheart.

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1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

well im not changig her cage so i will have to figure out how to make the temps higher ill add more belly heat and use a smaller bulb so it doesnt get as hot on top thanks for the info ill add more hides etc too

my email addy is jaydaddy_26@yahoo.com. look forward to the pics.
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Be as good to me as I am to my animals
1.0 ball python(normal)Maximus/ and 1 unknown sex normal
0.1 golden retriever Amber
0.1 dalmation/lab mix nikita
0.2 bettas