Need advice.

[Roadside Jerker]

I'm sorry I'm posting so much recently but I've just been needing help.

I got my first Ball Python yesterday from PetSmart because of where I live. After being active for most of the day he went to the corner behind the warm hide and nestled under the vines where it's dark. He hasn't used his hides at all and hasn't slept on the cool side. He also appears to be healthy apart from yawning twice yesterday. My issue that I need advice with is that I'm worrying about the slightest thing. I've never owned a reptile and I've always worried about everything. I've done my research for months by going through hundreds of posts on here, watching videos and asking questions. I felt very confident that I'd take good care of him but now that I have him I have conflicting thoughts. My biggest worry is that I won't do a good job with him and he'll have to suffer due to my ignorance. I'm guessing this is normal for every first timer though. I have 14 days to take him back to the store but I feel I should give him a chance. I feel like every time he looks up at the lid he's star-gazing and that he has an RI (not saying he does though) or that he'll have a bad shed and he'll be underfed and other things. That's why I'm unsure if I should keep him but I'm trying to reassure myself that I'll do a good job. I've always loved snakes and wanted one and I already really like this guy I'm just having conflicting thoughts. Is this normal for any of you when you got your first snake?

My other issue is that I'm nervous around him so far. I've held an adult Ball Python before so I have that out of the way. When I saw this guy for the first time he lunged at me but I did get him. The only real difference is that everyone has always handed me the snake whereas now I have to go in and get him. I do have to fluff his aspen and change his water this evening although I'm nervous around him because I keep thinking his mouth will become massive and he'll tear my arm off even though everyone says the bite is not that bad. Will I get used to him as time goes on?

I'm sorry this is a bit of a different post than other one's here but I really need some advice on what I should do. Thanks.

Edit - Forgot to add a picture of him http://imgur.com/1BpxB7Q

[T&C Exotics]

After reading this I must say that I have no doubt you will do great. You will get more and more accustomed to him as he will to you. With the lunging remember that to him you are a big bad predator that wants to eat him. If you are concerned about getting bit get a snake hook and pick him up with that. After he has calmed down and realized you are not going to eat him he will be a lot better. Lastly he is beautiful.

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[LLLReptile]

First, stop worrying so much. You'll be fine. It's been one day with a species that can take a couple weeks to fully settle in; your snake doesn't have any 'normal' behaviors yet, as it's still figuring everything out.

And yes, you will get used to him as time goes on. Or you won't, and if you don't, then you can find him a new home.

With all the research you have done, and how much you clearly care about the snake and doing well for it, you are exactly the kind of owner that will do just fine. Don't handle the snake, don't worry about it, don't mess with it at all for at least a week - just keep that waterbowl full and make sure nothing obvious is wrong with it. If it eats a week from now (which is when you should first offer it some food), great! You're fine. If it doesn't eat, take a pic of your setup, get temp readings, and then come back to the forums for help.

You'll be just fine. Take a deep breath, relax, and try very hard to have some patience. It takes more than a day or two for ball pythons to settle in, and it'll take more than a day or two for you to get comfortable with the snake, a routine, and everything else too. And that's okay! So relax

-Jen

[thinkbig317]

It's very normal to worry. Just make sure your temps and humidity are fine and you should have nothing to worry about. Be as confident as possible around him. Just take a deep breath and go in and pick him up. Don't even think twice about it. Before you know it, it'll be second nature. The more comfortable you are with him, the more comfortable he will be around you and less likely to strike. Good luck!

[Roadside Jerker]

Thanks to all of you. I think I really just needed some reassurance. I do have a snake hook already but I haven't done anything in his tank aside from misting him and moving his vines to get temperature readings. He does normally eat a hopper tomorrow but I'll wait till Tuesday when it's been a week. I do have 3 other questions.

1) My humidity has been hovering at 40% all day. I misted but went up only to 45%. I have the top covered in aluminum foil with a square cut for ventilation. Will 40% humidity cause an RI or even dented eyes?

2) Is there anything else I can do to ensure he doesn't escape? The tank I have has a locking mechanism on the lid and I give a tug on it after I lock it but is there anything else I can do?

3) My thermometer is on the ground in the tank because I'm not sure how to hang it up. It's an Exo-Terra digital thermometer/hygrometer but I couldn't figure it out how to stick it on. He keeps knocking it over and putting leaves in front of it so I can't see the thermometer and I'm not sure what to do.

Thanks once again for your guys' help!

[Rob]

Best thing you can do right now is stop over thinking it. Let the animal get adjusted to its new home, it'll be fine.

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[vangarret2000]

Everyone seems to worry when they start off. Your seems more extremes then normal. If you say you got him yesterday right now you need to let him be. He shouldn't be bothered for the first week. If he is set up properly then you don't need to go ino his tank. Even changing his water suing this time isn't a huge issue and can easily be done without disturbing him at all if need be.

You are getting too worked up over everything at once. Take it slow and step by step. Right now you shouldn't touch him so don't worry about handling him at the moment. Let him get through the adjusting period then worry about stuff like that.

Where do you live? Sometimes the humidity isn't as much as an issue as people make it out to be but that also has to do with what climate you love in.

Does his thermometer has a probe? That is what souls he over te UTH. Not the whole thermometer it's self. If it doesn't have a probe get one, get the tank setup properly. Right now get the tank they way it should be. Focus on the one issue. Once tht is done then let him be for a week. Then when that is done take a new issue and deal with that. There is a lot you are going to go through during this time. Take it step by step. Don't let it overwhelm you. THat is what you are doing right now which is causing all your stress. Breath. Relax. It will be ok.

Also ou mentioned you needed to fluff up his aspen. Why are you doin that? Unless he goes to the bathroom you shouldn't need to do anything to the substrate.

[Wuattaguan]

Thanks to all of you. I think I really just needed some reassurance. I do have a snake hook already but I haven't done anything in his tank aside from misting him and moving his vines to get temperature readings. He does normally eat a hopper tomorrow but I'll wait till Tuesday when it's been a week. I do have 3 other questions.

1) My humidity has been hovering at 40% all day. I misted but went up only to 45%. I have the top covered in aluminum foil with a square cut for ventilation. Will 40% humidity cause an RI or even dented eyes?

2) Is there anything else I can do to ensure he doesn't escape? The tank I have has a locking mechanism on the lid and I give a tug on it after I lock it but is there anything else I can do?

3) My thermometer is on the ground in the tank because I'm not sure how to hang it up. It's an Exo-Terra digital thermometer/hygrometer but I couldn't figure it out how to stick it on. He keeps knocking it over and putting leaves in front of it so I can't see the thermometer and I'm not sure what to do.

Thanks once again for your guys' help!

Ball pythons are naturally lonesome and sneaky creatures. They are also extremely curious and easily frightened.

So far, I agree with everyone else, Don't panic, if the snake was truly uncomfortable it would be moving around all the time flicking his tongue out and pushing up on the lid.

However, sometimes he may just be exploring his new home

If he stays in his hide all day that's PERFECTLY normal. They are nocturnal after all, Leave him alone for about a week and make sure to use VERY SLOW movements when handling him.
Hold him between two cupped hands (try not to over-handle) until he gets used to the handling.

Fast movements = Perceived Predator to a snake

Keep humidity around 50-60%, Make sure the tank does not allow for over-ventilation

You can buy some 3M tape strips for the back of the thermometer and stick it on the glass (near ground level) Just be aware that analog thermometers/hygrometers are not 100% correct. Get a digital if possible,

As long as he is eating, shedding, and hiding, he will be perfectly fine

Times when you SHOULD panic:
-Hear Constant Loud Wheezing (R.I.)
-See bubbles/snot in his nose/heat pits (R.I.)
-Stays inside water bowl for long periods (Mites or Overheating)
-Stargazing or Laying on Back (Stargazing, Inclusion Body Disease)

Check around the ball's stomach/abdomen and you will be able to clearly see if they are stressed or not based on how heavy they are breathing
(Their sides will move inwards and outwards at different speeds based on stress level)

Hope some of this info helps! as long as the tank temp is always above 75 and he has a hide, he will be fine!