Adult enclosure for juvenile??

[Addicted2BP]

Okay first off I want to say im new to this forum! Seems to be a large member base so with any luck ill have some good responses on this...

So anyway I just purchased my third ball python... hes 2 months old so hes pretty small at the moment. The only thing I have to put him in is a pretty good sized tank. 4' x 1' to be exact and obviously this is an ADULT ball python tank. Anyways, I put him in there and I do understand that it will take him some time to get comfortable regardless so the fact that hes hiding all the time isnt really alarming me. Problem is.. is this a stressful environment for him? I bought small hides, he has a decent amount of logs and "shrubbery" if you want to call it that lol in his tank so its not just wide open by any means. I also tape pieces of computer paper around the bottom border of the tank as to make him feel more secure. I hear all this stuff about they "do better in tight places" but honestly in the wild they are out in the OPEN so I see it as more of an advantage for him?

Any thoughts would be great

[Shera]

As long as it's cluttered, the sides are darkened, and temps and humidity are good, it shouldn't be a big issue. Have you tried feeding yet? That's usually a pretty good indicator, since a very stressed out BP is unlikely to eat.

[Addicted2BP]

well I was unsure about feeding him so soon... I got him yesterday so I figured I would wait at least until saturday to attempt to feed him... does it matter that the paper is white around the tank?? What I heard to use was black construction paper but I wasnt sure if it would make a difference

[anatess]

Yes, cluttered. As in, he can move from one temperature gradient to another without having to "see sky". Shrubbery is good or even just lots of crumpled paper.

[Addicted2BP]

okay thanks guys now another question... I feel like hes not going to find the gigantic water dish on the cool side of the tank, like its too far away, so I put a smaller dish next to his warm hide do you think I need to leave this here or can I remove it

[Shera]

well I was unsure about feeding him so soon... I got him yesterday so I figured I would wait at least until saturday to attempt to feed him... does it matter that the paper is white around the tank?? What I heard to use was black construction paper but I wasnt sure if it would make a difference

I'm really not sure if it makes a difference tbh. Don't make it a far journey to get from a warm to a cool hide. Crumpled newspaper can help, until he's more settled and eating, then you can take it out if you don't like the look of it. Waiting until Saturday to feed is a good idea, in the mean time, only handle him when absolutely necessary. Good luck

[Shera]

okay thanks guys now another question... I feel like hes not going to find the gigantic water dish on the cool side of the tank, like its too far away, so I put a smaller dish next to his warm hide do you think I need to leave this here or can I remove it

Sure leave it there, it can't hurt, and will help make things feel more cluttered. Just be sure to change it frequently because bacteria will grow in it faster if it's on the warm side. It's not a problem, just something to be aware of.

[Addicted2BP]

so as it turns out, the paper seemed to do the trick. this morning he had knocked over one of his plants and wasnt so far in his hide anymore so im fairly certain hes adapting just fine!!!