Carpet won't use warm hide after eating

[Mikeyv2009]

I have a young juvenile carpet python that I've had for about a month now and the snake has been eating great has not shed yet and really doesn't seem to poop often at all ..two maybe three passings of food since I've owned her, I have heard that pythons have a slower metabolism compared to my colubrid which seems to pass her food within 2-3 days after eating . otherwise looks healthy in good condition ..but I have noticed with every feeding so far except one that the snake does not use the warm side after eating to digest. Matter of fact I have only seen her in the warm hide one time after eating the entire time I have owned her . She is in the cool hide constantly. Can someone please tell me if this is something to be alarmed about or if this is normal and some snakes just prefer the cool side. I have even switched her hides around to see if maybe just didn't like the one that was on the warm end but now she is inside of it constantly now that it is on the warm side .

Thanks !

[craigafrechette]

Pythons do have slower metabolisms than colubrids, so nothing to worry about there. As long as you're feeding properly sized meals. If the meals are too small for the snake the snake may be using the entire prey item to sustain growth.

As for the hides, double check your temps with a temp gun. If they're off a bit you may know why and just need to dial in your temps.
If temps are goid, you have nothing to worry about. They know how to thermoregulate and will go wherever they feel comfortable.

[Mikeyv2009]

My warm hide is 86... ambient temp is 82 and the cool side is around 74-75. Correct temps for a small jungle carpet?

[craigafrechette]

I don't keep carpets, so can't chime in on whether the temps are ideal or not.

[EL Ziggy]

Your temps sound great. As long as she has access to hot/cool sides she'll thermoregulate as needed. If your ambient temp is 82 there's not much need for them to hide at warmer temps. Most of my carpets rarely use their hides and are usually perched in the open. They use them mostly when they're prepping for a shed.

[kazz]

I had a similar situation (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-python-forum/116261-very-strange-behavior-my-python-5.html#post1038782).
1.5 year my carpet used to speel in her warm hide-box on a ground. After that, she started staying at branches at day time. So I have to move her heating pad to branches and making her a nest. She is there now and looks great.
My carpet can poop after every meal and can poop once a month or even two. I wonder it depends on her food. When she was eating more fish she pooped less frequently.