Hi, is it normal for a BP to spend literally 24 hours a day in her warm hide whilst in pre shed? 9 days ago she went into her warm hide and hasn’t come back out, she’s stuck her head out a couple of times in the first couple of days but aside from that she hasn’t moved, (she’s alive I’ve checked) I know they can be known to spend alot of time in the warm end building upto a shed but I’m worried that 24 hours a day is abit much, am I wrong? The hide is directly under the heat source so the temp on the top of the hide is 91f, obviously it will be cooler inside but I don’t know precisely as she is in it and I don’t want to stress her. But I am worried she in not thermoregulating. This is only her second she’s shed with me and last time she shed in the cool end (alternating between her cool hide and sky hide which is slightly warmer) also this started happening directly after a feed so I’m worried that she could be sick instead of being in shed, like maybe she swallowed some orchid bark with her rat or something (just grabbing at straws here) but she is definitely due a shed as it as been 3 months, I may just be overthinking this, should I give it a few more days?
It’s not abnormal, during shedding most of mine pick a hide and stay in there until they’re done shedding
I was hoping for that reply thankyou
I don’t use an overhead heat source; I guess my question is directed to anybody reading- is the temp on the top of the hide safe? I’m not picking on you or trying to be rude, I’m just asking because I don’t hear about surface temps hugher than 89°.
Once she sheds, we’d love to see photos if she ventures out from her hide if you’re comfortable sharing! We never get tired of seeing photos of everyone’s animals! And what’s her name?
Anyway, her behavior is similar to how a few of my girls act throughout the shedding process, so nothing to worry about there.
That is one from a couple of weeks back and her name is ghost, and of course you can have another when she’s done shedding.
As far as the surface temps go I was always are that it could be between 85 and 90f inside the warm hide with between 75 and 80 in the cool, with a 92f basking spot somewhere in the viv, or is this outdated? I’m sorry Ive only had her since September and the Internet can be so Confusing
Good point Gina! I would say if the top of the hide is 91, the surface where the snake is laying on should be a bit cooler? And I see no mention of uth? So I would think this would be ok. Ideally and in my humble opinion, temps should be no higher than 88 with a basking spot of 90. Personally I keep all mine in the middle to upper 80’s. Period. They are all thriving. But to each his own as long as the animal is, again, thriving. That is the main goal imho.
I will most probably get some flack here but sometimes I think keepers spend too much time overthinking temps. Not a slam at you @gina5678. I have said this before. I also believe some bps like temps a bit lower and others do well a bit higher. At least this is the case with some of mine. Again, my personal experience only - not a recommendation to other keepers. I am being cautious here.
If an animal is thriving with a hot temp of 85 then leave it be. If an animal is thriving at 90 or anywhere in between 85 and 90 leave it be. I also believe keepers overthink ambient temps. If an animal primarily lives on the ground the ambient temp is not crucial for its wellbeing.
In the case of the ball python in the op’s post, she is hanging out continuously in her warm hide. That hide must be comfortable for her imho.
@caron Very well-said! I agree with the overthinking part because I am 100% the overthinker. I tend to dwell on set numbers, or I’ll read a post and latch onto something like that and obsess over it needlessly (like the temperature in my girls’ enclosures must never, ever go above 89). Thank you for putting things back into perspective for the OP!
Just an update guys, I woke up a few days ago to a perfect shed and a huge poop haha and she is back to her usual self. Thanks for the replys folks, really appreciated
Good deal! Now you know your husbandry is correct! No need to adjust!