Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So Lucifer doesn't leave his hide much. At night or during the day. too hot maybe? I have had him for a few months now and he eats VERY well. The hide is from an old subwoofer box (nice and big) and the basking spot is kept at about 85 or so. My understanding and what i have been told it that mid 80's was right on. I thought at first that it was stress of a new tank and all but it's been long enough now that he should be fine in there. Should I try lowering the temp? He's active when I take him out and when I first put him back in the tank then he settles in under the hide.
Here's the config...

you can see the two opening of the hide if you look closely. there is a reflection of two lights from my uro cage - the light on the left you can see a large opening and the other opening is at the "on/off" switch on the right reflection light...

In nature, Ball Pythons are found UNDERGROUND. hey use small animal burrows and crevices and they hide most of their ife in nature. Its what they are built for, what they are hard-wired for, and its how they've evolved.

Now, how does that apply to your snake? ...............

Other than what Jeff has told you, I would also NOT turn down the heat in the hot spot. If you are not cooling the snake down for breeding, your hot spot should be around 90F. It's also a good idea to cover up most of the screen top for humidity, unless your humidity level is already at around 60%. You might want to look through one or two care sheets.

Eric

either one of you care to elaborate? I have read the care sheets and looked at countless numbers of photos ftom all kinds of sources and my cage is not far off from those in these photo galleries or the ones on private sites or the ones on ball-pythons.net .....again.....care to elaborate? cage at mid to upper 80s with abot 50% /- humidity, a hide box, basking spot, water bowl and something to help shed.. I am not new to herps, do my research and you two aren't helping. Give me specifics on what I am doing wrong. I'm not a newb at this. Is my first ball so direction would be MUCH appreciated.
thank you

Not a difficult thing.....

Hot spot 88-92F
Ambient temp in mid 70s on cool end tolerable.
Humidity 50%-60%

Once again, this does not apply to cooling for breeding. This is for general maintenance. I'm not going to go into your cage decor. Ask yourself this, regarding the screen top..... are you achieving the 50%-60% humidity level? If so, fine. If not, do something about it.

Eric

By the way, no offense intended in my earlier posts. Just want to clarify since it can be hard to tell sometimes.

Eric

Maybe this will help. Balls spend most of their time in their hides. Usually only leaving to find food and water and an occasional exploration/escape attempt. IMO it's nothing to worry about hes probably out and about the cage around 4 am and you just haven't seen him. Or you may have a snake that knows it's winter time and is "hybernating". If he's still eating and is hydrated you probably don't have anything to worry about, he's doing what balls do.

With that being said: Screen tops don't work for balls, it lets out too much heat and humididty, put a towel or board or something over it. Second I see an analog thermometer in the cage, had one just like it once, it sucks and is not accurate, get a good digital dual prong thermometer/hygrometer. You're humidity needs to be uped to about 60% and that light will suck a lot of humidity out of the air. The basking light may also be too hot for your snake, do you have any belly heat going? Maybe you can try turning the light off for some time see if that will get him to come out.

This is just my opinion, Hope this helps.
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Tosha

1.1.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy)
0.1.0 Siberian Husky (Kita)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
5.4.2 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer