Retic only on hotside?

jaythesnake · 04-30-17, 06:01 PM

Hey there I'm new to the forums! I just wanted to get some advice on my retics behavior. I just recently got him he is a dwarf tiger relic only about 2 feet long and I don't know the age. I put him into my tank and after the first couple hours he has was exploring his new surroundings. But now he has settled on the warm side and has not moved for 3 days. I know that when first introducing a python to a new enclosure can be stressful for them and I was wondering if that would be the cause for it. I have a half log as a hide that is on the warm side and then a tuber ware container on the cool side. The warm side has an ambient temperature of 85 and the hotspot is 91, with the cool end being exactly 79. The humidity is also at 75 throughout the enclosure. Any ideas?

jay's reptiles · 05-01-17, 08:24 AM

i would say he is just getting use to his surroundings. i wouldn't worry about it. Also might be going into shed!

Scubadiver59 · 05-01-17, 08:43 AM

Though not a retic, and just the opposite of your situation, my BP refuses to use the hotside...she just hangs out at the 78F coldside all the time, even after eating. The hot end stays from 89-91.

qué será, será!

**Andy_G** · 05-01-17, 08:53 AM

jaythesnake - Your snake is probably still getting used to it's new home and is comfortable there. You'll see more typical behaviour once it settles in and has a couple of meals. Do your best to not bother it unless necessary until it's eaten twice.

Scuba - What you're describing is not totally normal, but not unheard of either. If temps are dialed in correctly, they'll use the hot spot when digesting or gravid, and otherwise remain on the cool end. What you're describing is usually caused by temperatures too hot for the snake on the warm end. What is your heat source and how are you measuring the temps (perhaps start a new thread)?

Scubadiver59 · 05-01-17, 10:27 AM

I'll only hijack one post--herpstat2, zoomed uth, lasered temps...all accurate. And 90 seems to be recommended temp for BPs, that's what it's always been, in two different tanks...she stays 95% on coldside.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_G

Scuba - What you're describing is not totally normal, but not unheard of either. If temps are dialed in correctly, they'll use the hot spot when digesting or gravid, and otherwise remain on the cool end. What you're describing is usually caused by temperatures too hot for the snake on the warm end. What is your heat source and how are you measuring the temps (perhaps start a new thread)?

jaythesnake · 05-01-17, 10:36 AM

Thank you guys for the input. He has moved now and is taking a swim in his bowl!

jaythesnake · 05-01-17, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_G

jaythesnake - Your snake is probably still getting used to it's new home and is comfortable there. You'll see more typical behaviour once it settles in and has a couple of meals. Do your best to not bother it unless necessary until it's eaten twice.

Scuba - What you're describing is not totally normal, but not unheard of either. If temps are dialed in correctly, they'll use the hot spot when digesting or gravid, and otherwise remain on the cool end. What you're describing is usually caused by temperatures too hot for the snake on the warm end. What is your heat source and how are you measuring the temps (perhaps start a new thread)?

It's a 100 watt night time bulb and I'm using a hydrometer and a thermometer

sattva · 05-01-17, 11:04 AM

I have one BP who likes the cold hide and one that likes the hot hide... My JCP and my Taiwanese beauty snake go back and forth to regulate their temps, but George, my retic, has a hide at 76* one at 80* and a basking area of 91* which he does not use yet... He likes the 80* hide... At least thats whats happening this week... At one point I thought I was heating 5 hides for nothing... I don't know what is considered "typical behaviour" I guess that would be spending equal time in each hide... But like I said before "Normal is a setting on a dryer"... You will think you finally see your snake has routine, and then it changes... at least this has been my experience...

ubermenchwhite · 05-04-17, 04:56 PM

Don't stress it at all. Make sure your temps are accurate and it's not too cool but every snake is different. I have some who love to soak, some love the hot side, some always stay on the cool side. There isn't one set behavior; just make sure you are accurately controlling the environment and enjoy you're new python!!