Star Gazing?? Help ASAP

[josh.conover9]

So, I have had this pastel ball for about five months. Lately she has been looking up at night her head and body in the shape of an upside down "L" for long duration's of time. I do keep a night light on to give a little heat (It gets kind of cold in my room). I have read that it could be a disease or something but am not sure how to diagnose this problem. Also sometime when I put her back into her tank she twists a little not very much though. If anyone could help me out and give advice/answers it would be very appreciated!

[SnoopySnake]

I can't give any advice, but would be easiest for someone else to help if you could take a video of this behavior, post it to youtube and then share it here to tell if what you're seeing is normal. Sounds like periscoping, but the part about her twisting is what concerned me.

[Mikoh4792]

Are you sure it's not periscoping?(which is completely normal)

http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4c0e2VWj21qlm840o1_500.png

http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m539/Tanyavdmerwe/Peyote/65402_10150110681053825_615223824_7294166_6897784_ n.jpg

http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/073/2/b/up_periscope_by_crypticpython-d5xzl8m.jpg

[josh.conover9]

Yes it looks like that!.. but that's normal?

[josh.conover9]

She does it for awhile though.

[franks]

It may just be trying to get closer to the heat in your cold room. A rundown of your setup and pics/ a short video of the behavior would help us.

[SSSSnakes]

If you think it may be IBD, separate the snake from the rest of your collection and get it to a vet.

[josh.conover9]

She doesn't do it all the time though that's what makes me wonder what it is. I'll be posting pictures and possible a video soon

[Chris72]

Is she periscoping or Star Gazing with her face continually pointed up.

Does it look like her mouth opens a crack while she looks at the top.

Let's checkout your set up?


If she is truly star gazing and opening her mouth during you need to quarantine her and call a vet to get a culture done.

There are two general groups of Respiratory Infection: Gram+ or Gram-

Your vet will need a day or two to see you, two to three days for lab results, and the medication might take three more days to come from a lab...depending. (Some Rx med for R.I. Has an incredibly short shelf life and isn't always in stock. Just sayin' don't wait until your snake is drooling everywhere. An RI can kill, and you can wait "too long".


(Get some pics and stats up plz)

[josh.conover9]

I am not sure how to post a picture [very new]. But I can tell you her temps are 90 on hot side 80ish on cool side. I mix coconut fiber substrate with cypress mulch, I also keep some moss in there for humidity. Humidity stays around 50 percent (have a hard time keeping it stable). She has multiple hides one which is on the under tank heater another that is in the middle and one all the way on the cool side. I clean the water two to three times a week and she's in a 20 gallon right now. Her mouth is not open when she does this, but she does do this for a bit of time not looking straight up in the air...I took her to the vet about three months ago and they said she is very healthy, but I know how things can change fast...if someone can explain how to post a picture I will be happy to do so...she is my baby and I'd do anything to make sure her conditions are the best.

[josh.conover9]

She lays her head down a lot on the hide I dont know if that means anything either but thats what she does a lot at night. If anyone has answer it would be great to hear them.

[josh.conover9]

This is almost what the set up looks like I have plants that I use on the cool side (far right) as a hide also all of it is not in there. I also keep a towel on the top (half way) to help hold the humidity in (my room can be dry). I also feel like she will need a bigger tank soon? anyone call yell at me if I am doing something wrong Id love to get better advice! thanks everyone

[Mikoh4792]

I think she's trying to get near the heat source. It may be too cold.

[josh.conover9]

I dont let it get under 75 at night which is what the vet told me. Do you think It should be higher

[smy_749]

Get a heatpad for under her hide.

[josh.conover9]

She has one. The problem I'm facing with that though is the bedding doesn't allow much under tank heat, but I just put a small layer on that side.

[franks]

These photos are not of a snake star gazing. I agree with Mikoh that she is trying to get closer to the heat. My pythons rest their heads on things too. Here's a quick bullet list addressing your questions.

Size: I think it looks like she can use a bigger tank. Especially if she is your only snake, it doesn't hurt to give her something with more room in it.

Humidity: you can try putting a bag of moist sphagnum moss in there- that will help your humidity a bit. Also, if you are having humidity problems you should ditch the light fixture and completely cover the top of the enclosure. You can use plywood, plexiglass, or simply use saran wrap to wrap the screen top up.

Heating: first off your heat (as well as your humidity) should be measured digitally. The analog gages do not properly portray your husbandry. A heat matt on a temperature device control should be sufficient. If it is not you may need a bigger heat matt. The bigger heat matt have more power and put off more heat. You can buy a lamp dimmer at a hardware store to set and control temps for around $7. Once you have it accurately dialed in it will hold for you.

[aaron_cg]

Definitely use belly heat for bps. And I would take out the aspen and put it on Cypress Mulch. Cheaper and hold humidity better.

Also, when using a fish tank, I would over three sides of it. Can be done using some tape and construction paper or I personally have some pink sheets of foam that I have used. Helps the snake feel more secure.

[josh.conover9]

Thank you Frank's. I do have digital thermometers and a digital humidity gauge. As far as cage size goes what size would be good for her? She is my first python, but I do have other reptiles, but, buying a bigger cage will be no issue. I will most definitely take your advice as I am only looking to gain knowledge about ball pythons and keep mine in the best conditions.

[Chris72]

+1 for what Frank recommends.

Also, when setting up your temps:
>you want to put probs (from a little $7 digital thermometer) under the hides.
>if you are using a dimmer us MUST have a thermometer probe over each heat source. (You should know, daily, that you are delivering proper heat)
> please consider a cheap thermostat rather than a dimmer. (Hydro Farm has 1 under $40)
>under the hot hide I would use 93.
>under the cool side I would use 83.

Your 50%RH is good. You should get a cheap digital meter from amazon that shows RH% of the room so you know if the room is drying up....that you'll want to give an extra spritz or two a day. When your animal goes into shed grab your spray bottle and spritz it down twice daily.


I couldn't tell from the pics but I'm guessing the screen top is not covered with anything??

(If not, we need to fix that also)


C.

[josh.conover9]

The screen top was off there I believe. I keep a wet towel on top at all times never gets dry now that I know she is okay. What size tank do you think is proper for her? And thank you all for your help!

[Mikoh4792]

With a glass tank use both heat pads AND a heat lamp. I can not see how you will keep ambient temps of around 80F with just a heat pad when you say your cold side is 75F.

All heat sources must be controlled individually with a thermostat.

[josh.conover9]

I never said it was 75 on the cool side...I said it get no lower than 75 degrees in the tank at night....hot side is around 90 never lower though. And I still need help with tank size anyone?

[Chris72]

I never said it was 75 on the cool side...I said it get no lower than 75 degrees in the tank at night....hot side is around 90 never lower though. And I still need help with tank size anyone?


This is why you need thermostats (not dimmers).

With thermostats the temp would be the same day / night...

(And you wouldn't need to constantly be screwing with it to keep it right.)

Buy two of these to go with the 2x UTH Amazon.com : Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats : Plant Germination Heating Mats : Patio, Lawn & Garden (http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPRTC-Digital-Thermostat-Heat/dp/B000NZZG3S)


Size of enclosure to keep her in, into adulthood:

PVC Enclosure - 2ft x2ft x1ft black with clear PVC door on hinges with locks. Holds humidity and heat well. (Around 180 new)

Tub: SteriLite tub about 16inches x 40 x 8in. Cheap, very comfortable for your animal, easy to clean. Holds heat and humidity very well. (Remember to drill some holes)

You can do a fish tank but it's going to be a challenge to keep heat and humidity right. It's just not the right enclosure.

[josh.conover9]

OKay thank you for our advice I will buy them asap.

[Mikoh4792]

I never said it was 75 on the cool side...I said it get no lower than 75 degrees in the tank at night....hot side is around 90 never lower though. And I still need help with tank size anyone?

That's because you are using a heat lamp. When you use a heat pad alone it will be much harder to maintain ambient temps inside the enclosure.

If you are looking to get a permanent enclosure I would get one with a floorspace of around 3x2 or 4x2(preferably the latter). If you are willing to get a bigger enclosure later down the road, the sizes mentioned by Chris are fine.

[Chris72]

That's because you are using a heat lamp. When you use a heat pad alone it will be much harder to maintain ambient temps inside the enclosure.

If you are looking to get a permanent enclosure I would get one with a floorspace of around 3x2 or 4x2(preferably the latter). If you are willing to get a bigger enclosure later down the road, the sizes mentioned by Chris are fine.



Oh...ya'.... Also with the heat lamp:

They burn off humidity, which is hard to control in a fish tank anyway*

* (unless you have fish in your fish tank, then you can put a light over it and hold 100% humidity no problemo). :) :laugh:

[Mikoh4792]

* (unless you have fish in your fish tank, then you can put a light over it and hold 100% humidity no problemo). :) :laugh:

^ lol pretty much