Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my Ball for a few months now, and have a few concerns that have been bothering me.

First, one side of his enclosure has a hide, and the floor temp is always between 80-82F. The other end has a hide, and an UTH set to a thermostat, that sits at 89-90F. For the last month or so, he always will stay at the cooler end, he will barly ever go to the other side of the enclosure. Whenever i handle him for feeding or cleaning, he always feels really cold to the touch. I always put him back into the enclosure on the warm end. Lately he has been staying exclusivly on the warm side of the tank.. man he confuses me.

Also, I have noticed that his poop really really stinks. I know right away when he goes, because i can smell it in the room. I thought this could be a sign of parasites, or something, and it has been bothering me.

Thirdly, he sometimes seems like he starts breathing really heavy. I can only tell because his "Chest" seems to move in and out pretty deeply, and i can sometimes notice he body moving abit because of it. I have been listening for signs of wheezing, drooling, or opening his mouth, but havent seen any of this. He seems to do it mostly when his is out of his enclosure, so i was thinking maybe he is just breathing heavy because he is scared.

Fourth, i know BP's are very in-active by nature, but mine seems very. He will sometimes stay in his hide for 4-5 days after feeding without coming out, usually just sticking his head out at dusk and at dawn. I stay up really late at night, so i know he isnt really out at night. He was very active trying to get out and such when i first had him, so is he maybe just abit more relaxed now, or do they usually keep trying to escape and move around every night.

Sorry for the barrage of questions, i just get abit worried sometimes. He had a Vet appointment for tomarrow, just to be safe, but i am now wondering if i should wait untill he poops again so i have a sample to take with me to the vet?

He has been eating very well, every 4-5 days, F/T mice, and very eagerly. I sometimes get the feeling he would eat more if i let him.

Any advice or idea's would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

Do yourself a favor and get an infrared thermometer, then you can take the snakes temp in a couple seconds - no more guesswork at to what it's temperature is. Remember that YOUR temp is about 96 degrees; the snake will probably always feel a big cold to you.

http://www.tempgun.com/main.html
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Astronomy Picture of the Day

I have one. Cool side sits between 80-82 depending on time of day, side with UTH sits at 85.6 or so, with a little bit of play depending on when the thermostat comes on or off.
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0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon

Sounds fairly normal.
Make sure your temps and humidity are in proper range.
Have fresh water available.
Poop STINKS.
Give attention to husbandry, the snakes behaviors seem normal.