Ball Python Questions- hiding in the cold...

clmclark · 02-08-11, 09:06 AM

For the most part I've just been leaving her alone to get used to her surroundings. I've moved her into my bedroom because it's the quietest room in the apartment (sad I know lol).
In her set up I have a warm hide, cool humidity box, water dish and basking vines/branches... She was hiding under the water dish in the coldest spot in in her set up. I swapped out her hollow bottom dish for a flat dish. She then moved to the humidity box. I checked the other day and it's about 72 degrees in there. I'm concerned that she's too cold or that I'm keeping the other side too warm (85). I took out the humidity box to try to get her to move around a bit. She was very active last night. It was nice to hear her on the go... woke up to find her burrowed under her flat bottom water dish...which she successfully did with out spilling any water. I was impressed... should I be concerned that she's too cold? How do I get her to come out of hiding sooner? I'm trying to be patient. I'm I'm harming her or lessening her chances of coming out if I take her out?

Ch^4 · 02-08-11, 09:12 AM

72 is a little cold for the cold side temperature. I'd try to get it up to 75-76. I have BPs that hide on the cold side all the time, while others hide on the hot side all the time. It just depends on the animal.

How long have you had her? The moving and reorganizing can be stressful; try to give her a week of isolation. You cannot "force" her to be active, this is something she will do (or not do) on her own.

Will0W783 · 02-08-11, 09:51 AM

I would have your basking spot be 88-90, with the hot end around the basking spot 85-87 and your cool end no lower than 80 during the day. The temperatures you say you are keeping her at are likely causing a forced hibernation. She can't be active at those temps, because snakes need external heat to raise their body temperature and keep their metabolism going. Once you correct the temperatures you should see her come around a bit. But keep in mind that BPs are some of the laziest pythons- they mostly just sit around in their hide boxes, no matter how ideal the husbandry. They are very calm and docile, but that translates to a mostly inactive snake in its home cage.

Sapphyr · 02-08-11, 10:18 AM

I personally have nothing to contribute to this other than a semi-related question regarding his set up. I mean, I may have one thing to contribute, and that's that BPs are generally lazy... Very lazy. Also, if you just got her, you probably are causing stress by rearranging things and trying to force her into being on the go. If anything, I'd worry more about your temps and humidity than where things are placed, for now. Oh, and almost forgot, it may be comforting for you to hear her 'on the go', but what's comforting for you, may not be comfortable for her. We're not the same thing.

Now, my statement is about him having her in the quietest room... I thought snakes couldn't hear.. Am I right or should I be concerned about my yappy puppy? I've read they can't hear, but instead, pick up on vibrations, so having electronics(game systems, tv, computers, etc.) on the same shelf, table, etc. as the snake's enclosure would be stressful for it.

clmclark · 02-08-11, 10:23 AM

My ex boyfriend urged me to find a forum to join and I said I thought it was silly. I can't tell you how happy I am that I found this! Thank you guys sooo much. I'm so relieved to have a place to find answers. It's funny, no matter how much research you do before hand, no matter how prepared you think you are...things just creep up on me and I feel lost.
Forced hybernation is exactly what I would describe what she's doing. She hadn't come out at all, I've been peeking in on her in the middle of the night, no movement. I just figured she's prefered it cold but it seems unhealthy. I"m going to bump up the temps on that side. Any suggestions? All I can think to do is get another lamp with a lower watt bulb or just move the one I have over a bit more.

clmclark · 02-08-11, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sapphyr

Now, my statement is about him having her in the quietest room... I thought snakes couldn't hear.. Am I right or should I be concerned about my yappy puppy? I've read they can't hear, but instead, pick up on vibrations, so having electronics(game systems, tv, computers, etc.) on the same shelf, table, etc. as the snake's enclosure would be stressful for it.

By quiet I mean the least active room. Sleeping and changing only. Only a 2 BR apt. The other rooms constantly have lights on and off, company and chaos. I'm a paper crafter so i make noise with my tools and all that. Also keeps company from deciding they want to play with her, or knowing I have her at all.

Sapphyr · 02-08-11, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clmclark

By quiet I mean the least active room. Sleeping and changing only. Only a 2 BR apt. The other rooms constantly have lights on and off, company and chaos. I'm a paper crafter so i make noise with my tools and all that. Also keeps company from deciding they want to play with her, or knowing I have her at all.

Ahhh. I keep mine in my room, as well, but I've got a cat that wanders in and out, my two dogs(one who's a yappy little 'toy' pup), and 4 ferrets. The taller dog doesn't even really know he's there, so no big issue, and the ferrets can't reach him. The cat -would- lay on the top of his cage if I didn't keep a wet towel on it. So, I think he's fine. If they can hear, though, then I'd be concerned for my snake. It's why I'm making sure, 'cause my puppy barks at the slightest sound outside my door. That's just how toy breeds are.

Will0W783 · 02-08-11, 11:24 AM

Yep, bumping the temps up should make her much more comfortable. What size tank do you have and what wattage bulb do you have now? For example, when I lived in an apartment that was usually at 70-72 degrees room temperature, I had my BP in a 40-gallon breeder tank. I used a 150 watt infrared heat bulb and it got the temps up to about 90-92 right under the bulb, 88-90 around it and about 85 on the far side.

clmclark · 02-08-11, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will0W783

Yep, bumping the temps up should make her much more comfortable. What size tank do you have and what wattage bulb do you have now? For example, when I lived in an apartment that was usually at 70-72 degrees room temperature, I had my BP in a 40-gallon breeder tank. I used a 150 watt infrared heat bulb and it got the temps up to about 90-92 right under the bulb, 88-90 around it and about 85 on the far side.

I have an 18x18x18 exo terra. Front side is generally 85-87, 88-90 on the basking branches and 90-92 right underthe bulb. I use a 100 watt bulb and I don't cover the screen top. Humidity is 30-40% now that I'm spraying twice a day.

clmclark · 02-08-11, 12:03 PM

Here is her set up. The water dish is hidden behind the vines. Oh and I don't keep her next to the tequila anymore

Ch^4 · 02-08-11, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will0W783

Yep, bumping the temps up should make her much more comfortable. What size tank do you have and what wattage bulb do you have now? For example, when I lived in an apartment that was usually at 70-72 degrees room temperature, I had my BP in a 40-gallon breeder tank. I used a 150 watt infrared heat bulb and it got the temps up to about 90-92 right under the bulb, 88-90 around it and about 85 on the far side.

I think this is a little high; I've found that my BPs prefer a cold side substrate temp of 77-78, and a cold side air temp of 75-76. Much warmer than this, and they hug the cold side wall day and night.

Warm side temps are consistent, but I *personally* feel that a larger than 3-5 degree temp gradient is necessary for proper thermal regulation. Many suggest an ambient air temp (average) of 80 and an 8-10 degree gradient (Markus Jayne, VPI, LLLReptile, etc.).

Again, it does depend on the particular animal. My adult BP likes it a couple degrees cooler than all my young ones. One of my young ones spends all her time in the warm hide, while another is in the cold hide (identical conditions).

And to the OP, my adult BP is the most active snake I own!!! Give yours some time to settle in, they are very shy snakes!

clmclark · 02-09-11, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ch^4

And to the OP, my adult BP is the most active snake I own!!! Give yours some time to settle in, they are very shy snakes!

My brother's BP was very active as well. My brother had him for the attention he got for having an exotic pet... he used to ride around on his bike with hima nd walk aroound with him around his neck all summer. He was always moving around and seeem to be checking out what we were up to. He was also an adult and a rescue, my Fluffy is only 7 months.

Tonight I"m gonna try to feed her. Fingers crossed!
*waiting until after 8pm, in seperate container. Live today just because I really want her to eat and thats what she's used to. I'll switch to F/T soon. I really don't want to end up with a pet mouse though.

TeaNinja · 02-09-11, 07:43 AM

i have my bp in a 20 gallon tank i believe? with a screen lid and a 100 watt ceramic bulb on it. i was thinking of bumping it up to a 150 watt eventually but he seems fine atm. i barely ever see the snake cruising around. the times that i do are in the MIDDLE of the night, cuz i stay up all night long. he eats like a CHAMP and poops regularly and is adjusting VERY nicely to handling and everything since i got him a couple weeks ago. after i let him settle in he was pretty panicy and got super stressed out when i would handle him (he probably thought i was going to eat him)
i've just been taking the handling slow and steady and he's coming around beautifully.
he doesn't huff and puff at all anymore and he's MUCH more active and inquisitive when i've been handling lately.

clmclark · 02-09-11, 09:52 AM

I've only handled her twice, briefly, since I got her 2 weeks ago. After feeding tonight I'm going to leave her be 100% for the next week. I really really hope she eats for me.

Will0W783 · 02-09-11, 10:09 AM

Very nice cage setup. I do have one thing to point out...not sure if it's the case with your BP, but wanted to mention it anyway. BPs like smaller cages. The cage still has to be an adequate size, but they like lower, smaller cages than a lot of other species. I used to house my adult male (4 foot) BP in a 55-gallon tank, and he was an insanely picky eater. He would take 2 live pure white mice every other week. He would not eat 3, he would not eat every week, he would not eat them if they had a speck of color on them. In short, he was a major pain in the dookas. However, when I moved him to a 30-gallon breeder tank (3'x1.5' by 1' high), he started eating f/t rats within 2 weeks. He now is in a melamine cage that is 2.5' x 2' x 15" high and eats like a champ. I am wondering if the fact that your cage is so tall might be making your BP feel a bit insecure? Not saying that's the case, but it has happened before.