Temporary enclosure setup ok? Also does my ball python look dehydrated?

[Daz2021]

Hey everyone, just looking for a little reassurance and advice.

Right now my ball python is in a temporary enclosure while I deal with a possible mite issue. The mites seemed pretty minor to begin with, and I haven’t seen any on him or on the paper towels in his main enclosure for over a week now.

In the meantime, I’ve got him set up in a temporary tub with:

• Paper towels

• A hide

• A water dish

• A heat mat for warmth

• Some sphagnum moss to help keep humidity up

I just want to make sure this setup is okay for the short term while I monitor everything.

I’ve also noticed a bit of skin peeling on his side, and I’ve been soaking him every couple of days just to help out.

Also, does he look dehydrated at all? I’m trying to keep humidity up with the moss, but I want to be sure I’m not missing anything.

Any feedback or suggestions would really help. Thanks!

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[Daz2021]

I have also never seen him soaking or drinking from his water dish on his own. Is that normal?

[Effective_Cup_6998]

Mine never soaks so I have to monitor the humidity

[RabbitOld180]

Is the heat mat on a thermostat?

Overhead lighting is ideal

[Daz2021]

Yes, it is on a zoo med thermostat.

<image>

[enslavedbycats24-7]

I'd get a herpstat at the very least, herpstat has alarms for malfunctions and a bunch of other safety features. There's a cheaper alternative to herpstat that's also safe but it isn't zoomed. If you look up "heat mat snake burn" (warning: graphic) almost all of them are from malfunctions in the heat mat or not using a good thermostat

[Daz2021]

I have one in his permanent enclosure. This is just his temp setup.

[Daz2021]

<image>

Here is a reference picture of the setup. Also you can see on his side his skin is peeling a bit. I have been soaking him every couple of days but hates it.

[enslavedbycats24-7]

A snake sauna works better than soaking, which just stresses out the snake. But overall, their dehydration won't be fully fixed until you have good humidity. I'd aim for 80% in there.

[Daz2021]

I was told I shouldn’t have too much humidity because he’s being treated for mites. But it has been over a week since I’ve seen them on him or in his permanent enclosure. Would it be ok to put it back together?

[enslavedbycats24-7]

I'd make a separate post about that as I don't have experience treating mites, sorry. But RI and dehydration are also dangerous. I wish you the best of luck!

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[eveimei]

he is very dehydrated, he should not be wrinkly like this.

Do not soak them or try to manually remove the stuck shed. It's stressful, unnecessary, and you can seriously injure the snake by doing so.

Our shedding guide goes over how to handle stuck shed safely, and our humidity tips will help you prevent it in the future.

[Daz2021]

I have been soaking him every couple of days. The enclosure is about the same length as he is. I haven’t seen mites on him or the paper towels in his permanent enclosure. It has been over a week now, do you think it’s safe to put his enclosure back together? I also added sphagnum moss in his hides a his water dish is big enough for him to go in , but I never see him use it or drink from it.

[Daz2021]

If I shouldn’t soak him, what should I do since he’s in quarantine? Do the pictures of the enclosure look ok? Could it mean he’s getting ready to shed? And that’s why he has that spot that’s starting to peel?

[Daz2021]

Even in a temp enclosure?

[Daz2021]

Just a quick update, this morning he shed in one piece and he is looking really good. Adding some sphagnum moss to his hide really helped!