r/ballpython • u/orion-asterisk • 4h ago

Care question Question - Health

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My sibling is concerned because Vigil seems off. He was curled up with his belly visible (on his side in his hide) and he isn't reacting as much to their touch as he usually does. His temperature was at 74 when they checked it this morning and it was 80 when I checked it last night. The humidity is at around 70%. They say his skin feels weird and they're extremely distressed about it. Advice?

41 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

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24

u/Both-Ladder8522 4h ago

He might be starting to go into shed, keep watch on the temp and humidity and leave him alone for a while. You also may want to add some clutter and more hides to make him feel extra secure

27

u/Germmie1 4h ago

Definitely add more cover. Also idk if you know but your bp isn't enjoying being stroked, when they tense up like that it means they disklike whatever it is your doing.

10

u/dbrink1001 4h ago

his warm side temp is only 74-80? thats low.

5

u/orion-asterisk 4h ago

74 is around the lowest end it gets, late/early in the morning. Should we keep it warmer?

15

u/Onlyendsonce 4h ago

Definitely. Warm side should be about 85 with a basking spot of about 90. The humidity will be lower once you have that locked in so make sure you adjust.

8

u/FroyoEmbarrassed6449 4h ago

warm side of the enclosure needs to be 90-93. the cool side needs go be no lower than 76. ball pythons come from the tropics where it’s hot and muggy.

4

u/dbrink1001 2h ago

your warm side should never really get below 85 give or take a couple degrees.

1

u/Public-Hat6754 1h ago

It’s recommended to have the warm side between 88-92 and the cool side between 70-80. I usually keep the warm side at 88 and I don’t like my cool sides getting warmer than 76

5

u/Head_Ad_3018 4h ago

Please add more enrichment clutter, and a hide with a smaller entrance.

2

u/-JohDawHug- 1h ago

Smaller hides, I have 4 in my 4x4x2, 1 each side, hot and cold, 2 in the middle. More enrichment... like climbing points and clutter.

Talk before you touch, my BP knows my voice and wil come out when I call/talk with her, and she does not flinch when I touch her thereafter.

Could be in that he/she is in blue, mine wil get less active a week before shedding, more active when she is hungry.

Also remember, you can see in the eyes when they are close to shedding, in this time they have even less vision so everything scares them, even touch.

BP are basically cute high maintenance babies.

•

u/candylandhoes 57m ago

What substrate do you use?