Pissssssy BP

[reptimama]

Boots, my BP is about to shed and tonight is a prime example of why I normally don't mess with him during this time. I've had to use subpar heat bulbs lately (which I'll be switching out soon) and I needed to move his basking area closer to the heat. Now, for the last few days he has been glued to that spot so I had to move him. He was NOT happy and tonight is the first time I've ever heard him hiss at me. He didn't strike but he made it clear he was in a pissy mood and didn't want to be messed with!

[stephanbakir]

what do you mean by sub par? not strong enough? or not reptile specific.

[rmfsnakes32]

My mojave is the same way. In fact he dislikes human interaction all together. Hope he outgrows it.

[reptimama]

Normally he is great! I've had him now for about 7 years and he has always been easy going. However, I do believe this is the first time I've ever even tried to mess with him while he is shedding.

By sub par I mean not strong enough, they are ment for reptiles but when I got them the store was out of my normal strength so I had to get lower wattage :(

[stephanbakir]

My mojave is the same way. In fact he dislikes human interaction all together. Hope he outgrows it.
No snake on this planet likes human interaction. Some just tolerate it more.

[Aaron_S]

No snake on this planet likes human interaction. Some just tolerate it more.

If there was a "thank" button. I'd click it. This reply will have to do.

[stephanbakir]

Normally he is great! I've had him now for about 7 years and he has always been easy going. However, I do believe this is the first time I've ever even tried to mess with him while he is shedding.

By sub par I mean not strong enough, they are ment for reptiles but when I got them the store was out of my normal strength so I had to get lower wattage :(
Ball pythons do not need reptile specific bulbs... they don't require UVB. just go to home depot and get yourself a normal house bulb of the appropriate wattage.

If there was a "thank" button. I'd click it. This reply will have to do.
Coming from you, thats a 5 stair praise and a key to the city ;)

[Aaron_S]

Ball pythons do not need reptile specific bulbs... they don't require UVB. just go to home depot and get yourself a normal house bulb of the appropriate wattage.


Coming from you, thats a 5 stair praise and a key to the city ;)

Don't get ahead of yourself just yet ;)

[reptimama]

just go to home depot and get yourself a normal house bulb of the appropriate wattage.


I thought household bulbs wouldn't give enough heat. The bulb I have is from WalMart :hmm: They burn out SO quick. I gotta get a basking bulb.

[Aaron_S]

I thought household bulbs wouldn't give enough heat. The bulb I have is from WalMart :hmm: They burn out SO quick. I gotta get a basking bulb.

There is no difference.

The one's made by reptile companies are just marked up bulbs. It's quite the racket.

[reptimama]

There is no difference.

The one's made by reptile companies are just marked up bulbs. It's quite the racket.


Cool, that is handy to know :)

[Chu'Wuti]

Snakes can't see well during shed, so it's only natural that they would be much more cautious, or nervous, or whatever you want to call it, than usual about being approached by another predator during that time.

That's all I can possibly add; it looks like Stephanbakir and Aaron_S have this one under good control!

[franks]

There is no difference.

The one's made by reptile companies are just marked up bulbs. It's quite the racket.

To clarify... Not any house bulb, because not all of them give off heat. They are refering specifically to halogen bulbs.

[erichillkeast]

To clarify... Not any house bulb, because not all of them give off heat. They are refering specifically to halogen bulbs.

The incandescent ones give off heat as well...

[mykee]

Heat bulbs for a ball python?!
Did no one catch this?!
Bulbs for heat are a BAD idea for ball pythons.

Also, snakes will never "outgrow" hating people. It's one of the only things they're stupid little brains are hardwired for.