Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm worried that my ball pythons are going to have negative health problems because they are choosing to stay on the cool side constantly. It all started when I bought new waterbowls and they like to hide underneath them. i even bought the same waterbowls to put on the warm side(without water) and they still choose cool. I know it isn't a problem with the temperatures themselves because the temperatures are high 80s to low 90s on hot side, and low 80s on cool. If I place water on the warm side the humidity increases to high. Any advice and should I be worried?
Justin

My little guy once spent 3 weeks on the cool side with no side effects. Even digested his meals there. How long have they been doing this? Are their hides dark and tight? The simplest solution would be to use a bowl with a flat bottom and a substrate that they can't burrow in. The only reason I can think of that they would do this is they feel more secure under there than in their hides. If I'm wrong I'm sure somebody will correct me. You might check out this link to see if you are providing proper hides. They even have a video.

www.proexotics.com/FAQ_answers_Hide_Spots.html

Don't worry so much. If you are providing the temperature gradient and hides, then the snake will choose what's best based on its needs. I've provided a nice hide with heat and sometimes it chooses to lay behind the hide and against the wall of the enclosure where there's only minimal heat, but that's what it wants to do. Snakes don't always obey the rules as we perceive the rules to be. Their behaviors are instinctive and not based on rational thought.