New baby ball python

[King Neptune]

I recently bought a baby ball python. I got it from LLLreptile, and it was marketed as captive bred.

It's my first ball python, the only other snake I have is a corn snake, that I've had for about a year and half.

He arrived on wednesday, the 18th, so he (guessing on gender) hasn't been around for long.

The first day he climbed up on a branch and sat under his lamp for about 12 hours, it was cute. Then during the night he found one of his hides and as far as I can tell hasn't moved at all in the past 5 days. Is this behavior normal? I want to try feeding soon, but I don't know if it will only stress it out more.

Is this behavior normal? I know ball pythons need time to settle in, it just doesn't even seem like he's explored his tank at all yet.

[Homegrownscales]

A hiding ball is a happy ball. Exploration is something he will do every once in awhile after be gets settled. But constant roaming is a sign of stress. He sounds pretty happy.
But to just check what are your temps and set up like?
Offer food after a couple more days of settling. Make sure you're not handling until he eats 3 meals in a row. Thats the guide line I go by. You may want to start out with live food. Make sure you watch. And If he doesn't eat it within 10 min take it out. Offer at night, when it's quiet and I don't think you'll have any problems. If he strikes repeatedly at it with out coiling or slithers away quickly or jerks quickly away from the prey take it out immediately. Those all are defensive stress responses. Anyways. Hope this helps.



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[King Neptune]

The temps are around 84 on the warm side, 77 on the cool. I'm glad it's nothing unusual, your response is reassuring. I guess I'll try feeding wednesday night, after a full 7 days.

I might try feeding live, but it would be incredible if I could get him to eat frozen/thawed mice. My corn snake has got an unstoppable appetite, and I love how convenient frozen mice are. From what I've been reading it seems with ball pythons it's the luck of the draw whether you get one that eats frozen or not.

Obviously I'll have to adapt if he doesn't eat them.

I have no idea how they've been feeding him at LLLreptile

[The Serpent Merchant]

84 is too cold. Ball pythons need the hot side to be between 88 & 92 degrees, and the cold side should be between 78 & 82

Feeding F/T is preferred but if you are careful feeding live can be done, there is just a higher risk to your snake.

[The Serpent Merchant]

what are you using as a heat source?

[King Neptune]

I have another thread about the heating situation going right now. I'm doing little things to bump the temps until I have time to run to the store.

[The Serpent Merchant]

ok cool

[Twiegs]

Just as an FYI, LLL Reptile feeds live adult mice to their baby BP's. I've purchased two from them and live near the store. Thought that info might help with your feeding situation.

[VEXER19]

Where the pics at???

[King Neptune]

Thanks Twiegs, thats good to know.

I actually caught him exploring last night, heading back to his hide. I'll have pics as soon as I can lol.