Any snake owners? Question

I have a Ball Python, just over 1 year. Last night I put his heating pad under his bedding b/c it got way cold in the room he lives. This morning I found him in the opposite end of the tank, where it was only 53 degrees. Does he want to hibernate?

Message edited 12/7/2006 2:55:56 PM.

Re: Any snake owners? Question

Wow!!! 53 degrees....ouch. I don't want to sound negative, but that's a good way to kill your reptile friend. Pythons are cold blooded animals and require temps between 75-90degres during the day and ONLY down to 68-70 at night. What likely happened was that your snake slithered over to that side of the tank, stayed there for too long and was physically unable to move in order to warm up. They have NO WAY of regulating their own temps, so you're going to either have to keep your heat up a bit higher in your house or supply another means of artificial heat.

My iguana, Pepe, did this to me a few times in my old apartment. She would sneak into some hole in the house somewhere (she had free roam and was litter trained)...and when she finally realized it was too cold for her, it was too late and she didn't have the energy to move. Scared the bajeezes out of me the first couple of times...then I realized I just had to block her out of certain areas or she would kill herself. Reptiles aren't exactly the brightest animals on earth :)

You MUST MUST MUST get another heat source for the other end of the tank or your snake WILL definitely die with temps that low. Maybe an ultraviolet night heat lamp??? That should keep it around 70 or so...

Good news is, it sounds like you are well-informed enough to realize the snake needs different temperature gradients and have thermometers on both sides. Just have to work on heating up the "cool" side at night.

Best of Luck!!!

Re: Any snake owners? Question

Re: Any snake owners? Question

sorry....didn't mean to come across as harsh or mean . just wanted to make a super strong point about getting the temperature up immediately. especially w/ the last two nights in the teens, the snake really can't survive at those temps. was hoping to get her to literally run out and buy a heat source today. my fault if I came across the wrong way, I apologize....


btw: YOU'RE calling ME harsh?? Rather ironic for the queen of tactlessness on this board to call me harsh! (and I mean that in a joking, ha ha sarcastic way.....not mean or negative towards you b/c I ALWAYS agree with exactly what u say, I just don't have the right words to type without sounding like a complete b%tch to some of these people....so, I let u and reggie do the talking 4 me)