New baby ball python.

[PythonIVXX]

I got it about two days ago and was wondering how long it usually takes for it to get used to it's habitat before holding. The first day I was able to hold now its bein very annoyed by my presence an tries to touch the top of the 40 gal. tank. It's only about 14-15cm so is not yet strong enough to lift the screen. Is it the temp or am I just messin with him too much?

[MootWorm]

What's the temp? And people generally wait at least a week before handling. I personally wait for 3 feelings, or 15-17 days. Some balls take to handling better than others though. I've got one that's a little pistol, but we're working on taming her down.

[galequin]

What time of day do you notice this behavior? I have a baby myself, I'm a new BP owner too but from my experience thus far a lil night time activity is normal. every now and then I walk into my room at night and find my girl trying to push the lid off her tank too and she freezes when she realizes I'm watching her lol. I gave mine 48 hrs to settle, but she's a tad bit AMAZING as far as tolerance goes. Handled her since day 3 everyday and no probs she eats ferociously and exhibits no stress. If it's that small it's prob just not used to being handled so until it realizes you aren't a threat it might panic a lil every time you reach for it. My girl is ALWAYs a lil startled when I lift her hide off her and a bit tense when I touch her but as soon as I pick her up it's time to explore lol. Wouldn't worry too much, someone else may know more than me but just offering my experience hope it helps and congrats on the new baby!!!

Side note: lots of ppl might tell you a 40 gal is too big for a hatchling that size (half a foot by my conversion). Make sure there isn't very much open "floor" space in the tank so it can traverse the entire length of it without feeling too exposed or threatened. Another thing to consider is that temps and humidity are harder to maintain in something that size, but there are solutions to that. Good luck though, I'm sure your baby is fine just consider crowding the tank up a bit... I've read that cut newspaper (lots of strips) works well until you can find something more permanent the snake can cruise around underneath it.

[Daybreaker]

Please fill this out so we can know more about your husbandry to help you:


What are you using as substrate? If it has depth, how deep is it?

What type of heating do you use?

Do you use a thermostat to control temperatures?

What do you use to measure/monitor temperatures?

What are the surface and ambient temperatures in the enclosure?

What is the average humidity level?

How many and what type of hides does the snake have?

Does the snake live alone or does it share the enclosure with anything else?


From your post I want to say that the size of the caging in comparison to the snake and it sounding like the snake has been consistently roaming could be determining factors in why it's acting defensive/stressed (besides you getting it very recently which is stressful in itself). I usually don't start handling until it's had three successful meals (besides cleaning the substrate).

[PythonIVXX]

Temp is a solid 85 during the day an at night is 80-81. Aspen bedding, under tank heater, 75w heat bulb with variable control, large water bowl, wood hide area(should this be out in the open or pressed against the glass in the corner?). Don't know sex yet an don't have humidity detector until tomorrow.

[Daybreaker]

Make sure you have a thermostat for your UTH as unregulated UTHs can burn your snake. A lamp dimmer will work in the meantime if you don't have a thermostat.

For hides, I like using little plastic bowls and cutting a entrance out of them (making sure the edges are smooth): my younger BPs really like these as they can fit really snug in them. I've used the half log hides before and my BPs never liked them: don't think they felt very secure in them.

For the size of your enclosure I'd make sure you have lots of cover for the snake: this may be while it's acting defensive too - it feels insecure. Fake plants or crumpled up newspaper works well, as does blacking out three sides of the tank with black construction paper (taped to the outside of the tank, no tape inside the enclosure).

If the tank is in a high traffic area putting a towel over the tank or moving it to a quicker area could help make the snake more secure.

For temps, if you're using those stick-on thermometers I would upgrade to a digital thermometer: I find them much more accurate for ambient and hot side temps. I would wait to handle until the snake has eaten three times and is not showing signs of stress. Making sure temps are accurate and don't fluctuate much will make for an over-all 'happier' and healthier snake.

[PythonIVXX]

I got the Hygrometer today an it's reading a solid 50% humidity right now but we recently got a lot of rain today. The ball seems to be getting better an better as the days progress. Tomorrow will be the 7th day since it has eaten. I also moved the half circle wood hide to a corner an added another hide(Glad Tupperware with entrance smoothed out) and added a lil more aspen bedding. About feeding should I take it out an feed its frozen mouse in a separate box or can I just do it in the tank in which it lives in?

[Daybreaker]

I got the Hygrometer today an it's reading a solid 50% humidity right now but we recently got a lot of rain today. The ball seems to be getting better an better as the days progress. Tomorrow will be the 7th day since it has eaten. I also moved the half circle wood hide to a corner an added another hide(Glad Tupperware with entrance smoothed out) and added a lil more aspen bedding. About feeding should I take it out an feed its frozen mouse in a separate box or can I just do it in the tank in which it lives in?

I would definitely feed inside the enclosure: reduces stress on the snake and could result in a more successful feeding. Also, if the snake doesn't take the f/t off of tongs you can leave it in with it overnight to see if it eats that way.

[greenacid]

What's the temp? And people generally wait at least a week before handling. I personally wait for 3 feelings, or 15-17 days. Some balls take to handling better than others though. I've got one that's a little pistol, but we're working on taming her down.

I Just got my baby ball python, and handled him the first day. he curled up around my wrists, and fingers, and slid up around my shoulders. this was WAY before a feeding too.