first python and i'm concerned.

[Shay23]

Hello, I have a normal ball python. He is about 18inches. For the first three weeks or so of having him, he has been very easy to care for. No problems eating he is very curious and very active. But the last 3 days he has not wanted to do anything. He just stays balled up in his hide, I am starting to worry. Is this a normal thing they do or is something wrong.
Thank you in advance for any help or advice.

[cmack91]

dont worry, a ball python thats sits in its hide curled up all day is a happy ball python, if theyre running around all day its usually a sign of stress or hunger, can you teall us about your setup and temps and all that? pictures would be nice too

[Homegrownscales]

This doesn't sound like anything abnormal. This is what bps do. But if you want describe the setup and we can assure you further or tell you anything that may need a bit of tweaking.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[Shay23]

My tank at this point is a 20 gallon tank, I have aspen bedding in it a rock hide on the warm side and a rock hide on the cool side. there is a water bowl in the center and a tree branch in center for him to climb. I will get some pics as soon as I can. I have been reading on here that most of you don''t use a heat lamp for the python, Should I change that? the temp in the tank stays at about 88 during day and 82 at night is that right? sorry all the questions. I just want Neiko to be a happy snake..

[cmack91]

My tank at this point is a 20 gallon tank, I have aspen bedding in it a rock hide on the warm side and a rock hide on the cool side. there is a water bowl in the center and a tree branch in center for him to climb. I will get some pics as soon as I can. I have been reading on here that most of you don''t use a heat lamp for the python, Should I change that? the temp in the tank stays at about 88 during day and 82 at night is that right? sorry all the questions. I just want Neiko to be a happy snake..

sounds like your doing fine, do you have a temperature gradient? ie. cool on one side, hot on the other? if not, it should be 79-82 cool, and 89-92 hot, everything else sounds fine though, whats your humidity?

[Cendalla]

Don't apologize for asking questions
Do you know what your humidity is?

[Shay23]

Yeah the cooler side of the tank usually remains about 5deg cooler. I need to get a way to check humidity I was told to spray the tank to keep some moisture in there. What should i use to keep the right humidity in my tank?

[mattchibi]

Take a read: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

If you have everything spot on, then you've got nothing to worry about. Hiding 95% of the time is completely normal for ball pythons, I see my ball python come out by of her hide by herself maybe 4-5 times a month, and thats because Im a late sleeper and she only really comes out at night. They are nocturnal so remember, during the day, they are sleeping.

[Shay23]

ok thank you guys very much. Like I said this is my first python. I had a red tail boa for years. But he would come right to me if I opened the tank and at night he was pretty active so the hiding thing is pretty new to me..lol

[Vypyrz]

Hello Shay, and to BP.net. In addition to the caresheet, I recommend reading through this thread and checking your little friend for possible signs of going into shed.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...edding-Process