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Another possible issue

Posted by Matt Nelson at 3/18/2012 12:18:08 PM

So my normal female, Imber, has decided that she wants to burrow in her aspen shavings to get to the bottom of the tank. The onlt problem is that she is doing this on the side of her tank with the UTH. I dont want her burning herself as the glass is pretty hot. Anyone know of any good solutions to this problem?? Or why she is burrowwing down like that?? Humidity in cage is 55-60% heat on warm side is 86.

Comments:

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Sonja K. ,	Posted At: 3/18/2012 12:31:24 PM
	Do you have a thermostat on the UTH? If not, I highly recommend that you get one as soon as possible to decrease the chance of her getting burns on her belly. Do you have a temp. gun where you can get a reading of how hot the heat pad is getting? Snakes often do not realize just how hot it is and end up getting burned which has the potential of leading to multiple issues. Try putting a few layers of paper or a piece of reptile carpeting or a piece of indoor/outdoor carpeting on top of the heat source.

Era_Daven,	Posted At: 3/18/2012 12:32:23 PM
	That doesn't sound like a good cage set-up if you are concerned she may burn herself. Where your snake goes in her cage should never be a worry, though it sounds a little like Imber is seeking out that hotspot, but since I've never used a glass enclosure, seek more opinions on this. You also may consider using a different heat source.

Matt Nelson,	Posted At: 3/18/2012 1:16:45 PM
	I do not have a thermostat but it is on a rheostat. I do have a temp gun for my cages.The temp is 86 right on top of her UTH. But thats on the substrate and not directly off the glass from where the UTH is. I ahve tried putting some paper down but she moved that also. I dont think she is really looking for the hotspot. She has been in this cage for months now and has just started the burrowing in her substrate. i have other heat sources ie, heat lamps but the suck the humidity out of the cage almost instantly.

Tiki108,	Posted At: 3/18/2012 1:18:10 PM
	Ball pythons are known for digging and enjoying to bury themselves so that's probably why she's doing that. While I now use rack systems I have used tanks in the past and the best thing you can do is what Sonja suggested, make sure you have a thermostat on the UTH and I would have it touched the glass and set to 90 degrees. That is a good temp even if she digs down. Also I agree that everyone should have a good temp gun to make sure what the acutal temps are, a lot of the thermometers that are sold at pet stores aren't that accurate. Since it's a tank I assume you have a screen top, do you have anything covering part of the top so that the heat isn't escaping out through the top?

Matt Nelson,	Posted At: 3/18/2012 1:23:46 PM
	I have a double towel layer on top of the cage covering about 2/3rds of it to help with the heat and humidity as I live in a desert climate. I will look into getting a thermostat instead of the rheostat. My temp gun is pretty accurate so i will adjust for the time being and have the glass at 90. Thanks for all the help!!

Tiki108,	Posted At: 3/18/2012 1:34:21 PM
	+1 for getting the a thermostat instead. With the temp gun it might not be a bad idea to see what temp the glass is pulling, just out of curiousity. Best of luck!

Cynthia Chaplin,	Posted At: 3/18/2012 3:34:45 PM
	I live in a dry climate too - look into plexi for covering the top of your cage. Towels will generally just absorb the rising humidity and heat instead of truly insulating.

Matt Nelson,	Posted At: 3/18/2012 4:19:11 PM
	I will deff go for some plexi for the top. And a thermostat. Now just to fund it ;) Thanks Tiki!! Glasss was pulling about 98. So it got turned down really quick. i am going to keep a close eye on the glass temp for a bit to makes sure it isnt to hot.

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