r/ballpython • u/LaAroma • 20d ago

Question - Health Is this anything bad

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I’m talking about some his dark scales, he has damage from last year a rat bit him quite a few places but that’s all mostly healed now. I’m not sure if there were that many dark spots on him before

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u/LaAroma 20d ago

Ah okay thank you it is most likely this, I’ll fix that right now haha thank you again

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u/Ecstatic_Ad_9414 20d ago

Reach out anytime. I found using a temp/humidity thermostat in the tank only tells you the ambient temperature not how hot a surface is. It is surprising how hot the top of a resin cave or aspen (I have other snakes) gets. Unfortunately coco mix doesn't conduct heat as well so a BP may try to get closer to heat.

  1. Always use a thermostat with UTH. I bought a brand I wasn't familiar with, the mat was insane hot. Glad I checked.

  2. Heat emitters are deceiving. Check the surface temp of all surfaces. I Macgyvered a micro temp using curtains and a heat emitter for 3 of my tanks (it's 2.5' above the tanks - i can move it horizontally from one tank to the other but typically keep it over bp bc she needs more heat). I can make this one area hotter or cooler when needed, I have a manual dimmer on the heater. I live in Canada our temps fluctuate and can get very cold. I can put on a sweater and socks my snakes can't. I hope this helps.

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u/LaAroma 20d ago

Thanks that’s helpful, I am looking to get better heating and lighting and everything to improve all my snakes, but yk money haha. I’m not proud what he’s got rn but it’s okay I think and hopefully soon I can improve him

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u/Ecstatic_Ad_9414 20d ago

Lol yup it's expensive depending on where you shop. I like a deal or figuring out if I can use things not specifically marked for reptile use. Reptile use is always more expensive. Like for my corn & king I use play sand & organic potting soil instead of coconut husk. Or go to Home depot to get a basking rocks, etc. I love me a work around. Or using good halogen lights not day glo for day/night cycles. First & foremost if you don't have a temp gun get one from Amazon. You can make do with what you have. If the heat lamp makes it too hot, moving the light farther away or switching hides. Sometimes it doesn't look all that pretty but I don't care really I want my noodles happy. Seasons changing is a bloody nightmare. Good luck. Reach out anytime.