Should I be concerned?

[KSnake]

This is my first ball python and its a baby. SO far this forum has helped me with everything but one thing i have noticed recently is my python moves around quite a bit. It doesn't seem to sleep much. i will be in my room and it will move around constantly and will raise itself up to where it either touches the top or gets close and do that along the entire cage. In fact as im typing this she is doing this. My tank is roughly 90 degrees on the warm side and 80-84 on the cold side. could this be the problem? Is this even a problem or is it simply getting use to the environment. I've had it for about a month now. It has eaten 3 times as recently as Tuesday. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you,
David

[Mike41793]

84 seems too hot for the cool side. Try keeping it closer to 78-80.

Whats the feeding schedule?

[KSnake]

I've been feeding once a week on Tuesdays.

[RoseyReps]

Does it have 2 of the same hides on each end of the tank? What size tank is he in? Sometimes young bps can stress a bit in a large open enclosure. Blacking out three sides of the tank with black paper/foam and adding some plastic vine foilage might help him feel more secured. Just a thought!

Hopefully he settles down and feels comfy soon!

[meowmeowkazoo]

How big is it and what are you feeding it? Babies digest food faster than adult snakes do.

[KSnake]

Its 17 inches and in a 40 gallon terrarium. It has 2 hides that are the same on both ends and has been eating live "hoppers". i will post pictures below. i was thinking about doing the black walls soon so i may just do that today.


http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/show...mageuser=30449

[BHReptiles]

I think the issue is that your ball python is stressed. For one, a 40 gal tank is WAY too big for a baby ball python. That said, you can still use that tank, but you need to clutter the floor space a lot. Try adding more foliage, logs, crumbled paper, plants, etc. You need to cover the floor space so your ball python can travel from one side to the other and use the clutter as a shield from "predators". Secondly, those hides are not very good. They don't offer a lot of security because they are open in the front. You want a hide that is small and snug with only one opening/exit that's just big enough for the snake's body. Finally, those thermometers aren't accurate at all! You need to purchase a thermometer that has a probe on the end that you can stick on the hot side and another on the cold side. It could be that those thermometers aren't accurate and your take could be too hot for your ball python. That would explain why it's moving around so much. It's trying to regulate it's body temperature and it can't find a cool enough spot. You might also want to purchase a dimer for the lamp so you can give a correct hot spot. I hope that helps a little bit! You've got a great start! At least your ball python is eating!

[kitedemon]

stressed snakes rarely eat so i would not expect it to be stress I would look to temps 84 is a bit warm especially for a small snake. I would block the sides and back but not make a ton of changes quickly one small change and time to adjust. Hides are always a good thing and over head cover too but not too much at once. The snake is eating you don't want to cause it to stop.

[KSnake]

I went and bought a new thermometer for my tank. and got some black construction paper for the walls. I moved some of the foliage to cover the hides better and will change them in a little bit once the snake gets acclimated to the current layout. Thnks for all the tips and of course if you have anymore keep posting!

Thanks!

[KSnake]

For the record my tank is about 17 gallons not 40. Not sure why i even typed that in. Clearly i was off by a few gallons...