New Ball Python Owner

[riddikk]

hey everybody, new to the forum, and new owner of a ball python, first time owning a snake.
so i've done a lot of research and have my tank set up really well, i have the bark substrate, a hide on the hot side and the cold side of the tank, hot side running 90-95 degrees, cold side has the water dish and one of the hides, temperature around high 70s to mid 80s. humidity ranges from 30-50% i konw it needs to be a bit higher but i'm having trouble obtaining thta humidity.
i have a few issues, one being kind of skiddish when it comes to holding him because i am a little worried about being bit, even though i know it should be a rare occurance, i wash my hands before i hold him, i tap the tank once to let him know im there, i rub his side for a minute or so before gently sliding my hand underneath him and supporting his whole body when picking him up, i've only had him for about a week, so when i hold him he balls up and stuff, after a little he kind of loosens up but the other night he put his nose like up against my hand and i thought he was gonna bite me so i just brough him back to the tank and put him down gently , and i don't make fast movements or go for his head either, some encouragement here would be good seeing as how you are all more expierienced, another thing, he seems to run to his hide whenever i come downstairs, or sees me, and is generally seems at least to be very scared of me, like i reached my hand in to his cage slowly todya and started rubbing his side and he obviously did not like it i don't think because he tensed up a bunch then hid his head , and its kind of depressing because i want to be close with my snake and have him out more without being scared and make him more comfortable, maybe i should construction paper 3 sides of the tank so he feels more secure, or something, idk. how can i open this snake up to me more, another question would be is it ok to lift his hide up and touch him or hold him after that, or does that ruin his sense of security? and if he seems scared should i not pick him up at all? i need some general advice on some of these things because i really want to be a good snake owner to him and i want to have more interaction with him, i had him a week, hes about a foot long, he didnt eat at petco where i got it they told me cuz they just got him and maybe he was stressed out, but 2 days after i brought him home i put him in a separate plastic tuppoware i bought form home depot, thawed a fuzzie, got it a little warm with water with it in a ziplock bag, dangled it, and he ate it, i didn't handle him for 2 days after he ate per most of what people reccomend online and in books im reading on them. if i had gotten bitten alread i probably wouldn't be very worried about it cuz i have a high tolerance for pain, but still i dont want to get bit, i want to have a good relationship with him. if you guys could help me out that would be great =) thank you for reading
-Jeremy

[MsMissy]

Oh don't worry, you will be bit eventually. It's kind of a requirement. Just keep doing as you are, gently handling him but let him smell and explore a bit. Bp's are docile by nature and do not require a lot of handling. On a good week, I have mine out twice a week, bad week only once to make sure she's not hiding any surprises in her hide. A good way to be bit is going to be to reach your hand in his tank reeking of Eau de moucey. He or she will be grumpy if you mess with her when in deep blue as well since their vision is compromised at that time.

Humidity.... Misting once or twice a day will help, as will covering about 60% of the screened top to help hold in the moisture. You can do this with a damp towel or cover with foil etc. obviously a damp towel will need to be re-dampened after a few hours.

Now, I didn't see mention of how you are achieving those temps and if you are using a thermostat to regulate the heat from a heat pad attached to the outside bottom of the tank. If you are using an overhead lamp, that is going to zap the heck out of the humidity as well.

More info would be very helpful and pics are always nice.

Welcome to the madness.....

[riddikk]

i have 2 gauges that show temp/humidity on either side of the tank, i do have a sliding screen top , with 2 lamps on top, a blacklight lamp for night time that i leave on 24/7 and to the right of that a regular heat lamp , i mist a few times a day but reach a max of 60% humidity, i was thinkin about buying him a nother hide for the tank, and i will definately post pictures as soon as i upload them to my computer, he is a beautiful color for sure , i named him loki, after the nordic god of mischief =P haha. i apreciate you guys answering and any other advice would be great, as if its ok to lift his hide and pick him up, and how will i know hes going to bite me? the shock of it hpapening is gonna be worse than the pain cuz i have a high tolerance for pain, and the fact i will be buttheart a bit that my little buddy decided to munch my hand haha

[Crazymonkee]

Yep lifting his hide is not a problem. If your snake is grumpy and wants to be left alone... he'll let you know lol. I love the name
If he's in an "s" shape, I'd keep your hand back.
Also you mentioned feeding in a different tub... you WILL get bit this way. It is better for the snake and you to feed in his enclosure. It is less stress on the snake, and moving them during feed mode... let's just say I (and many others) wouldn't.


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