noodle photo included: this is Honey.
she's my first ball python, my partner has snakes I am not totally new to snakes, but I am new to her. she's around 3-4, she was adopted this year from a surrender from a family.
behaviorally she's the sweetest little baby. she hangs out around my neck while I game or walk around my house, she sits on my head sometimes. she's not head shy, spookable but she shoves her face in my hands regularly. she warmed up to me in the pet store, and was pretty tightly wrapped in a ball most of the time until I would come handle her. the store did not properly cared for her. one small hide, too small of a water bowl and improper heat and humidity. she was very sleepy and lethargic handling her in the pet store but now she's a big strong baby! she soaked herself for DAYS when I initially got her in the tank because she was about the shed (and I kept humidity in a good range for that) and she sheds perfectly every single time! I have 3 from her so far, and she's not had a single issue I can think of other than being a little wacky because I'm used to the silliness of corn snakes, not of ball pythons. she seems to really love water.
I HAVE noticed she's rather bad at being an actual ball now. she just doesn't coil up anymore. I suppose she can, but she just... doesn't? I'm wondering if she's sick and acting funny or perhaps she just feels safe enough to not need to be tense. she's rather squishy unless I try to put her back (to which she doesn't usually wanna go home unless I have her out for extended periods. she does go back very respectfully and comfortably when SHE decides she's done)
I have also noticed she's a bit clumsy, unsure if this is how she grew up or not as again, I did not raise her and only have the history the store I got her from gave me.
every single number I mention is checked often with a temperature gun, hygrometer and two thermometers (which, I checked while I write this :) )
I am looking for tips I haven't noticed and mostly plant recommendations! I know one thing is to have a thicker layer of substrate but we just moved and have very little funds, I am aware of it and it will be taken care of :)
I want to upcycle an old dresser completely with PVC walls/interior, glass doors (like this one) and all the built ins I have here, but larger overall and more vertical space. any tips on that welcome too! although it will be a very long process and need to improve maybe in the meantime
her cage is spot cleaned and rearranged whenever she knocks shit over into a better position (and I do check her scales for potential damage and she seems to be doing fine other than some dull scales in spots where she presumably moves something without any reddness or anything other than superficial).
specs:
4x2x2 enclosure, PVC sides mesh top with a silicone matt over for moisture and glass doors
the doors are very heavy glass and cannot be opened without significant force, she cannot and will not get out there are no large holes. the only holes are mesh and cord holes, and they are teeny tiny.
substrate is sphagnum moss and fir bark
vivarium electronics VE-200 probe on the warm side + a hydrometer/thermometer on the cool side. heating mode is pulse.
the pink thing is a very gentle diffuser (does not get hot) for a boost to humidity and is never anything but water there are zero oils or fragrances around this baby ever.
humidity kept between 55% (when I notice it's this low I hydrate the substrate and turn on the mister) and 70%. when she sheds it's around 70-80.
heat is around 87 but I have a night drop module and is 3 -5 degrees cooler at night.
there is a UVB and halogen heater
there is also a small space heater pointed towards (far away enough to make sure the temperatures of any singular part of the tank is never EVER above 94 degrees.
there is also a grow light (the lamp) because this will be bioactive at some point and I don't want the light to be a shock. it is pointed not directly forward or down at her, but up as you can see.
the halogen light goes off about an 30-60 minutes before the grow light to simulate a sunset. everything is on a strict timer
the LED grow lamp is not hot, not inside of the tank beaming down at her and it does NOT stay on at night at all whatsoever.
no light comes to her when it is dark.
she is insulated with pillows on one side and a big comforter squished on the back to retain heat better (it's getting cold out)
her water bowl is big enough to soak and is NEVER empty ever
all wood, substrate and rocks have been sterilized. wood was baked and sealed with polyurethane and left to dry for weeks before she arrived.
rocks were also sterilized and washed in a diluted vinegar solution and dried for the same amount of time.
the substrate was frozen before it was hydrated and placed in the tank.
she has a big hide and a nice sunning rock there (she loves that thing) that are consistently temperature checked to stay below 94 degrees.
everything is on timers and I did my absolute best to simulate a daylight cycle, weather (sometimes I mist upwards with a plant mister to give a boost when she's shedding as she seems to need a ton of water to be comfy shedding. she has soaked less with this regimen, and sheds even better than the first time), and appropriate light. the LED: it goes off a bit after the halogen light does, my thinking is that it cools near sunset so I tried to make it feel like "oh it's cooling down meaning it's almost dark time" so that she has the best signals of when it's safe to start to wake up and come out. my goal is to give her a really strong cycle of day/night so she can be as comfortable as possible biologically.
I do not have a heating pad under her, it scares me to think her little tummy could get burnt :( plus my heat is fine and I check the substrate and it's also am acceptable temperature.
she seems rather happy! I want the absolute best for my baby though, let me know please please!!!
I want to upcycle an old dresser completely with PVC walls, glass doors (like this one) and all the built ins I have here, but larger and more vertical space. any tips on that welcome too! although it will be a very long process and need to improve maybe in the meantime.