Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got a new cute little baby ball, named Skippy. He's beautiful, and he looks pretty healthy as far as i can tell, but he really doesnt do anything. I have a hollow log in his place, and he just kinda curls up in there all day, and at night, he sticks his head and neck out about 4 inches and just sits there, staring. I'm not sure if he's sick, or just adjusting. When i got him at the store, i picked him for his color, but unfortunatly he wasnt one of the ones out and about and trying to escape. I thought that was good because then he wouldn't really try to escape his home. Is he just stressed a little bit and adjusting, or is there something wrong with him?

Also, I can figure out how to keep the humidity up in his place. One side is about 93, and the other about 80. I have a small heating pad under the hot side and a 100 watt red bulb above the cage on the same side, and the humidity during the day sticks right at about 0 to @, and at night it goues up to 60. I put plastic tupperware bowls on either side and they stay rather humid, about 80-85, but he never comes out. Anybody have any tips??

Sorry, I'm new to this whole pet thing, and I'm just a little worried father, mostly worried that i got sold a sick snakes. Please keep in mind that i got him saturday, so i've only had him home 2 nights.

Thanks!
Lou Reed

If your temps are right then he may be in "hunting mode".
Dangle a mouse in front of that hole...its his ambush spot.

This part would have me worried...
""One side is about 93, and the other about 80. I have a small heating pad under the hot side and a 100 watt red bulb above the cage on the same side""

The best(and most widely accepted)way to accurately read the hot spots,are those little $25 temp guns.Mine saved me alot of guessing and heartbreak...
Guessing is bad,and those little stick on thermometers are worse.I almost learned the hard way,as the 40 watt bulb along with a heat pad had turned a 20 gal/long tank up to 110 degrees!
(My stick ons had been reading 20 degrees cooler than the true temperature,at best).

Actually,unless the enclosure is in a room less than 72 degrees(?),there should not be a need for any light.
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Charles Glaspie

I'm not saying he ISN'T sick, BUT a healthy snake usually doesn't move alot. Most snakes will move to eat or to the hot zone, or back to the cool zone. Other then that, if they are comfortable, they don't move. A snake that spends all day trying to get out means something is wrong, too hot, too cold etc. Snakes are not active pets. Especially pythons. Very lathargic animals, when in their cage. If that is your only concern, he sounds good. As long as he eats and sheds normal.

Good luck

Well, wouldn't you know, he came out to check out the cage a little bit tonight, and it looks like he's having a blast! I lowered the temp in the cage a little bit because it was infact WAY too hot. Apperently a 40W red bulb is more than enough to keep him warm. About 10 minutes after i turned the 100 off, he came out and started checking it out. I'm going to try to feed him tomarrow, hopefully he'll be comfortable enough to eat a mouse or 2 then.

Thanks for your help!
Lou