Jump in the hide?

[AMBiEN22]

So yesterday i finally picked up my first ball python after three weeks of prepping the cage for a suitable environment. She is still really shy and nervous being in a new place and hardly moves during the days (BP's are nocturnal so i don't blame her). I woke up last night and i saw her moving around slowly and curiously with a lot of tongue flicking which i heard is an awesome sign! I saw her peak he head into both warm and cold side hides and was hopping when i woke up the next morning she would be in one! Sadly she was not, shes been fond of the water bowl in the middle of the tank in one of the pictures you can see her resting her head on the bowl. Lately she has been almost soaking in it not fully just like a part of her neck.

So my two questions are, i know I'm jumping the gun on this one , one how long till she will go in the hides? Two is she to big for the hides!? I know shes still trying to get use to the environment so i figured maybe she is nervous to go in the hide?

Here are some pictures from the other thread i have taken of her.

For the enclosure and climate people
Enclosure: 10 gallon terrarium, screen top with modification.
Temps,
Basking: 90
Cold 79-81
Humidity: 64%

Pictures of set up here some things are different like i purchased identical hide. Temps are not as low in the picture they were low cause this is when i hooked up the ranco thermostat so everything was unplugged.

[dragonboy4578]

My new pickup was in its hide within 5 minutes of putting him in his tub yesterday. As for the hide being to small I have bp's that will curl up under their water bowl leaving half of their bodies out. It is funny they all have 2 hides that they can fit in, and yet they like to use the underside of their water bowls. It may just take time for your bp to use her/his hides.

[snakesRkewl]

Cover those sides, she's feeling naked

With tanks it's best to cover 3 sides so the snake isn't so exposed to the scary world out there that we humans live in. If the snake only has to watch out one side of the tank it will feel more secure in the tank.

Anytime I catch a snake soaking I run through my list...

1. any mites in the bowl?
2. Double and triple check temperatures and placement of probes.
3. Is snake in shed.

If none of those then the snake is probably just enjoying the water and may need the extra humidity.

[AMBiEN22]

Cover those sides, she's feeling naked

With tanks it's best to cover 3 sides so the snake isn't so exposed to the scary world out there that we humans live in. If the snake only has to watch out one side of the tank it will feel more secure in the tank.

LOL everyone says this is the black construction paper invisible? the three sides are covered

Anytime I catch a snake soaking I run through my list...

1. any mites in the bowl?

Saw a post on this i see no mites in the bowl.

2. Double and triple check temperatures and placement of probes.

Just did a while ago i am going to pick up a temp gun to monitor her temps and the cage temps, there is a nice 30 dollar one at the home depot.

3. Is snake in shed.

No true signs of a shed yet but i will keep an eye on her =)

Note to readers: i know its stressful to a snake to be moved into a new enclosure. I have not been handling her and i she is in a low traffic room. Also i plan to pick up some greenery so she can feel more hidden but i thought at least she'd use those hides lol.

[snakesRkewl]

LOL, ok I should have opened my eyes more as I do see the sides covered now

It sounds like the snake is just adjusting to the new home then, everything looks in order otherwise.
Congrats on taking the time to read and set up the tank well for the snake ahead of time

[AMBiEN22]

I love her to pieces lol . She deserves the best! I'm going today to pick up some Frozen hoppers. That's what they have been feeding her at the breeders so I'm going to keep her on that for a little probably pick up 10 of them today. She was due for a feeding the day i got her so shes been off feed for i want to say about 5-7 days. Knowing she just got placed in a new environment i don't expect her to eat... BUT

The breeder said she is hungry and i could attempt to feed her. So i was thinking maybe trying today (by today i mean tonight were she is more active and awake and possibly more prone to feed.) and if she does not eat trying again in another 2-3 days? Does that sound fair? i do not want to harp her and try to make her eat every day and or hour lol.

[Alex.B]

My male pastel almost never goes in his hides but my female spider is almost always in them. so it's just another thing that each snake does differently, both are very happy campers

[AMBiEN22]

My male pastel almost never goes in his hides but my female spider is almost always in them. so it's just another thing that each snake does differently, both are very happy campers

Good to know . I think she is just attracted to the heat lamp and warm side. Shes not so much inside her bowl anymore.

[AMBiEN22]

She now loves her cold side of the tank and has really taken to that hide! She seems very comfortable and settled in her enclosure! She even left me a present today! [guess it just took her a little to realize those rocks were hides ]

Here are two crappy photos no pun intended on the second one