New snake behaviour, surprisingly friendly or just normal?!

[Hollie]

Hey people So I got this awesome little ball python for valentine's day, my Patto. I have a wooden 3x2 viv with sliding glass doors, the whole setup including heat lamp, mat, 2 hides, basking rock, water, thermometer etc etc. Anyway so I've only had him 5days or so, we got him from a reliable pet store who said he was about 2 years old and very docile. The day we got him, we brought him home and realised the viv was busted. We made a make shift viv by turning a secure wooden cabinet on its side and putting it by the fire with the door open, we put all his hides and stuff in there and he actually seemed really happy. It didn't have a glass door so we had him out most of the time (our bed is next to the fire next to the viv so he would curl round our necks for warmth and nuzzle our ears.) He never hissed or tried to strike, infact it seemed like he loved being out, he loved going on our heads and exploring our hair. The next day we managed to go back and get the same viv but not a broken one this time :p He loved it straight away, explored all around and made good use of both hides. One night I couldn't sleep so I sat and watched him roaming around, he stopped when I sat and he could clearly see me, I held my hands out flat and he relaxed, he even drank water in front of me like he wasn't threatened at all. I talk to him sometimes and he will nuzzle the glass wherever my head is, almost as though he wants to come out?? The store said he probably wouldn't eat the first mouse we gave him but we fed him a medium sized mouse on Monday and as soon as we put it in he came straight out and ate it right in front of us! This is all new to me but he just seems so friendly I can hardly believe it. And don't be ****s I know snakes can't be 'friendly' but you know what I mean. Anyway these are all good signs that he's settling in and stuff right? I think he got so used to us the first couple of days, we kept putting him into his hide but always just came straight back out to see us. Anyone else had this or is my Patto just amazing? Btw he is almost 2ft long I would say and is a pretty slow mover, all the temps are correct in the viv but he's always just so relaxed. I think he trusts us? Oh another thing, can cigarette smoke/ aerosols harm him? We have a very large bedroom and always have the window slightly open but I worry. Thank you!

[The Serpent Merchant]

If that's him in your picture, he isn't 2 year old, I would guess 6 months or less.

It sounds like he is settling in very well. I wouldn't say that he is being abnormally friendly, but is certainly up there.

BP's should hide most of the day, and come out at night. Mine are most active between midnight and 2:00 AM

I would try to minimize his exposure to any airborne pollutants

[Hollie]

Thank you! One last thing, we put the mouse in his viv, ontop of his flat rock. He ate it straight away and as we've only had him a short time I didn't even think to clean the rock, but I noticed him flicking his tongue over it loads today, I'm guessing he can still smell it. Is it best to clean the rock after every feed??

[BoostedMX3]

Only thing I can keep thinking is ditch the heat rock.. They can heat very unevenly and get really hot causing burns on your snake


Other then that sounds like u got a friendly one.. Congrats and welcome

Also if that's it in the pic it's about the size of my 6month old.. Or your an absolute giant

[nimblykimbly]

This post made me smile So cute when they are friendly and curious. This is why we just love Ball Pythons. You're doing great, and he seems to be happy! Only question - is the basking rock a heated rock? JMHO, but I've read a lot that they can cause burns and aren't recommended. We use heat tape/under tank heaters (UTH) hooked up to thermostats on ours. And I agree ^^^ on the airborne pollutants. I know many a snake has lived exposed to it, but it just isn't good for them and can make them sick. Ca't wait to see pics of your new BP!

[BoostedMX3]

Sorry I re read.. Is it just a rock or is it a heat rock? Heat rocks are baaaad

[nimblykimbly]

Thank you! One last thing, we put the mouse in his viv, ontop of his flat rock. He ate it straight away and as we've only had him a short time I didn't even think to clean the rock, but I noticed him flicking his tongue over it loads today, I'm guessing he can still smell it. Is it best to clean the rock after every feed??

I'd get rid of it altogether if it's a heated rock.

[Hollie]

No sorry not a heated rock, it's just a large stone from outside that we cleaned for him with a hole cut in it filled with water. I'll get more pictures up tomorrow of the setup and Patto

[Capray]

You don't have to clean it after each feed. Unless the mouse pees or poops on it. Sounds like you have a pretty good feeder!

[jbabybulldog]

He sounds alot like my bumblee bee ball python. I have 2 normals that are just normal ball pythons, hide during the day, roam at night, tolerate being handled etc. But my bumble bee seems to actually enjoy coming out and will sit and chill with me and doesn't seem as skittish as my others. When I have them out they usually like to slither to a hiding spot and stay there. i'm kind of spoiled by him and he's now my favorite