Okay, I sort of Jumped the Ball on this one..

[luvepriscilla]

So a few days ago I was certain that I was going to get a glass tank (until I realized how much more work goes into glass vs. tubs). So I ended up getting a 28qt. container from my local Home Depot and have a U.T.H on one side with an electronic ther.+hydro. attached to a rheostat. Oh and I did cut holes into it and have two houses- one on each side and have aspen substrate. I pretty much followed the Tub Set Up Provided Here.

So the real story here is, well...I got too excited and ended up getting the snake today as well (I'm not too proud of myself). I ended up getting one from PetsMart (...I know.) and I put him in the enclosure and he went into one of the houses almost right away and seems to be doing good.

Though I am waiting for my temps. to adjust (its currently at 91 F on the basking side and 41% Hum.).

I was given the care sheet (which documents when he ate/when he didn't) and apparently he hasn't ate for 8 weeks. Should I be concerned?
How long should I wait before I try and feed? Should I help feed? Or am I being paranoid? Help? (Any is greatly appreciated) I will include a picture because...well I'm a proud parent now!


(this is his/her very first official picture)

[PorcelainxDoll]

8 weeks! Thats poor baby only looks about that old. Hope you get some food in him fast! Give him a week with no handeling and then try to offer food

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[luvepriscilla]

ah okay, will do (it will be soo hard not to hold him for a whole week) lol.

Also, the humidity seems to keep lowering. I had it at 41% and now its down to 40% am I doing something wrong? I have some sphagnum moss in there that I sprayed down to help..

[BHReptiles]

Just spray down the tub 2-3x daily. You may just have too many holes in the tub. I would be mostly concerned with getting the temps right. Once your temps are right, give your new baby a week and then feed him. Once's he's eaten three time (even if that takes 2 months), then you can hold him. I know it's hard, but try to resist! Give him peace and try not to pester him. He may not have eaten those 8 weeks because he was kept in improper conditions. Hopefully he'll bounce right back for you! Once he starts eating, you can feed him every 5-7 days to get him back to a healthy weight. Also, be prepared, but he may not want to take frozen right away. You can try it, but also be on the lookout for who might offer live feeders in the case that you need to feed him live for a few feedings until you can switch him. Good luck! I rescued a very skinny ball python back in July (she was smaller than your guy) so if you have any questions, just let me know! My girl started out at 44g and is now 251g as of today!

[kitedemon]

OP what are your cool side temps and ambient air temps air temps are the hard one with tubs they are just thin plastic and they rarely hold more than a few degrees over room temps. Ideally they should be in the 77-85 range. I first started with a tub and switched to a tank as it is easier to keep ambient temps in a 'normal' or cooler room I'd rather a poor shed here and there than too cool.

[luvepriscilla]

@kitedemon: The basking side is at 93-95 degrees and the cooler side I have at 73 degrees. The humidity is at 43- 90% (43% humid under the rock house on the basking side and 90% humid on the cool side). I might have gone a little overboard with the spraying...
Also I thought I'd mention that the room I have him in gets really hot, so I don't think keeping the temp. up should be a problem. I might just switch to glass tank if I do find that I get too much trouble with the tub set up.

@snakehobbyist: Oh man, I thought a week was bad! But I've prepared myself not to hold him/her until after three feedings though, thanks for the info! For the most part the temperature seems to be okay now (goes between 90-96 degrees) and after sticking a second therm+hydro combo on the opposite side of the UTH (on the cool side of the tub), apparently I've been over spraying T-T so humidity is a bit high atm (its currently at 90%). You mentioned in your last post that humidity isn't too big of an issue as long as the temperatures are right- is this overall or just for now since I just brought him/her home? I also have a place Im planning on picking up some live food for him/her to eat once the week has passed (I've watched enough yt videos to prepare me lol)

[DooLittle]

First off, Congrats! Secondly, that poor little guy looks to be a hatchling. I wonder if he had ever eaten. Definately make sure your temps are spot on, and that hides are snug and dark. Then give him a week to settle in, then offer food. I always make sure they have eaten 3-4 times for me before I start to begin handling. It's hard, but better for the snake to let them settle in and adjust! Welcome to the wonderful world of ball pythons!

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[TheSnakeGuy]

Someone got excited and jumped the gun because the Ball Pythons were on sale for 39.99$. Hope you learn fast. Offer food after one week. If after two offerings the snake still doesn't eat. I would take it back to PetsMart and ask for another one that has eaten. Read the feeding chart that they are required to give you. Keep your receipt and make sure it's within the 14 day guarantee. By then they should have received another shipment. Good Luck

[luvepriscilla]

@DrDooLittle: I don't think he's eaten since he's hatched either. I've been reading that some hatchlings do this- that its fairly common? (or, at least not uncommon).

@TheSnakeGuy: Ahh you're good lol. I'm trying to soak up anything/everything I could (this forum is suchh a help btw). Would you suggest for me to try offering live food in a week? They did have another guy there that looked more plump, but if I could- I want to keep the one I have :]
Do you think if he doesn't eat after a week from now that I should necessarily exchange him?

[BHReptiles]

Humidity should be around 50% all the time, but I see the most important issue now is your new snake eating, not necessarily how humid it is. Once he's eating we'll, then focus on the humidity. If he's in shed, that's a whole other issue. In that case, you want the humidity to be 70% or a little higher or else your BP won't shed right.