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deleted
8 Posts |
 Posted - 06/05/2009 : 10:45:11
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I am a bit worried that my snake is too cold in his viv. I know that snakes are cold blooded but every time I get him out of the viv he feels very cold to the touch.
The thermometer in the viv, which is positioned about half way, between the heat pad and cold end reads 21 c.
Marmalade is currently in his hide directly over the heat pad, but when he comes out of the hide and roams about he always feel really cold. Also he has not eaten for nearly 2 weeks.
His skin doesn`t seem have the same shine that it did a couple of weeks ago. He is about 20 inches long and weighs approx 50 grammes.
I was thinking that maybe I should get a bigger heat pad to try and warm him up, which in turn may bring his appetite back. Any advice is most welcome |
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a33272
our battery charger
United Kingdom
3063 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2009 : 10:51:35
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| what the temp on top of the substrate over the heat mat, an how much ares does the mat cover?? |
    
0.1.0 creamsicle corn-Marmalade
1.0.0 jungle carpet python-Bumble
1.0.0 corn Casper
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ruxpin64
Egg
United Kingdom
98 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2009 : 11:01:18
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ideally you should have two thermometers, one in the warm end and one in the cool, 21c would be a good cool end temp..27-30c in the warm but your heat mat should only cover 1/3-1/2 the size of the viv. and as said by a33 the thermometers should be postioned ontop of the substrate. as thats where your snakey friend will be.
the loss of shine on the skin is most likley hes getting toward a shed so he will get a grey/blue tint.. including over his eyes until his skin fully seperates, and then a few days later he will shed his skin and be uber shiny.
this may explain the not eating also as some lose appetite during shed. however would keep an eye on it.
hope some of this helps.
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n/a
deleted
8 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2009 : 13:15:51
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Just checked the temperature over the heat mat, on top of the substrate, and it is 26 - 27 c. The mat covers approx 1/3 of the viv. I did orignally think that he might be getting ready to shed his skin because I have found him in his water bowl about a week ago.
Is it still OK for me to handle him? He certainly seems to enjoy being handled and being out of the viv. |
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ruxpin64
Egg
United Kingdom
98 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2009 : 13:39:01
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| Handling is ok however they, can strike when they're eyes go blue but that's instintive as they cants see much, alo mine never has yet, but that's the point I would let him be until he sheds.( When eyes go blue) as its less stressful. Warm end is almost there could be a lil warmer. But not too bad, and soaking would indicate sheding. As regards to eating other things you could try after shedding if the problem persists , warming the prey with some hotish water and jiggling it makes it think its alive, braining it also maybe an option, anywho hope this helps a bit and nice lil snakey btw. |
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gingerpony
Queen Bee
United Kingdom
10455 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2009 : 22:00:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Steve Parker
Just checked the temperature over the heat mat, on top of the substrate, and it is 26 - 27 c.
that's too cold for the warm end and could contribute to him not eating - they need heat to be able to digest their meal. either turn your thermostat up so the temp is 28-30*C at the warm end, or if it's up fully and still not getting warm enough then try thinning out the substrate so more heat can get through. a larger surface area heat mat shouldn't be necessary.
how are you measuring the temps? ideally use a digi or garden type thermometer rather than a dial, dials never seem to be particularly accurate. the thermometer or therm probe should be resting on top of the substrate next to or inside the hide so the temperature is being monitored where the snake will actually be.
and yes it does sound like he's due a shed soon. their eyes go opaque and their colour dulls, after a fe days the eyes clear again then they usually shed within about a week. like ruxpoin said handling during this time is not advised due to their poor eyesight. |
cornsnakes, ratsnakes, bullsnakes, boas and day geckos
Location:Leeds/York/Selby area |
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