Did I scare my ball python?

[_Indigo_]

I just recently got my first snake, a spider ball python. One day he was in his cold hide and I tried to take him out, but he really didn't want to. Without thinking I kept trying but gave up. Now he hasn't gone in that hide, and when I came home today he was on the cold side of his tank against the glass but not in his hide. Did I scare him from using that hide? I feel so guilty but really didn't think twice at the time. Now my question is what should I do? Do I replace the hide,or just leave it? I'd really appreciate opinions.

[Sunnieskys]

I would just move it a little. Boop did that too but she sleeps wherever the heck she wants. she burrows under her cork log. Like...in the substrate under her cork round. silly thing.

Maybe just move things around so its all fresh and new.

[Pitonica]

Snakes like routine, same time feeding, same set up so she knows where to hide when needed. You said its a new snake, so its still getting to know you and its surrounding.
Id leave the set up as it is if its set up correctly ofcourse and let her get acclimated.
She is probably afraid of the hide cause you scared her, prolonged that time with trying to pick her up so it doesn't feel safe anymore. Thats why, the most important thing with new arrived snakes is gaining trust. When you set up your mind to handle her just gently pick her up with no hesitation or fear and handle her short 10-20min but nice and slow so she learns to connect your smell with nothing bad happening in the end. Its a process, good luck.

Thats atleast my opinion, Worked well for many of the snakes I handle at work which were hissing scardy cats that now know my worm hand will not hurt them as well as my snake at home which was quite defensive when arrived and now its a puppy.

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