Ball python help

[Brom]

I got my ball python 6 days ago they sold him to me in shed and said that he is a year old when I don't think he is. He is now staying in his hide. I'm just really scared off killing him

[MmmBanana]

When in shed, they don't leave their hide much as long as they feel secure in there. Sounds like he is happy and content in there. Heck, even after he sheds, if he spends most of his time in his hide, that means you're probably doing something right!

[Craiga 01453]

A hiding BP is a happy BP, especially during the shedding process. Make sure your humidity is boosted to about 70-80% right now and just let him do his thing. If you got him from a big box store, you're possibly looking at a rough first shed, as they are usually not kept in proper setups and are almost never getting the proper humidity to shed successfully.

Since he's staying in that one hide, he's probably feeling safe and secure, but just so we can help you out...

what are you running for equipment?
how are you heating the enclosure? are your heat sources regulated?
how and where are you measuring temps? humidity?
what size enclosure? how many hides?

The more you share the more we can get you moving in the right direction. Feel free to provide a few pics of your setup if you'd like.

[Zincubus]

I got my ball python 6 days ago they sold him to me in shed and said that he is a year old when I don't think he is. He is now staying in his hide. I'm just really scared off killing him

Fear not

As already mentioned they don't usually come out of hides during shed mode and that could take another few days to a week . Best thing to do is spray the Viv two or three times each day until it shows itself ( you'll probably find the messy , rolled up lump of skin UNDER his hide afterwards ) .
Note they get their colour back and the eyes clear a few days BEFORE the skin actually comes off .


Whilst it's in shed mode - try and find a few appropriately sized branches for his Viv/ rub - as if you want an active Royal you need to give him something to climb on in the evenings ....


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[Brom]

A hiding BP is a happy BP, especially during the shedding process. Make sure your humidity is boosted to about 70-80% right now and just let him do his thing. If you got him from a big box store, you're possibly looking at a rough first shed, as they are usually not kept in proper setups and are almost never getting the proper humidity to shed successfully.

Since he's staying in that one hide, he's probably feeling safe and secure, but just so we can help you out...

what are you running for equipment?
how are you heating the enclosure? are your heat sources regulated?
how and where are you measuring temps? humidity?
what size enclosure? how many hides?

The more you share the more we can get you moving in the right direction. Feel free to provide a few pics of your setup if you'd like.

im heating the cage with a heat mat and a heat lamp that goes off when I go to bed I have a digital thermometer and a humidity gage he has one big hide and some logs to climb on.as well as a water dish does spraying the tank regularly keep the humidity up

[Craiga 01453]

im heating the cage with a heat mat and a heat lamp that goes off when I go to bed I have a digital thermometer and a humidity gage he has one big hide and some logs to climb on.as well as a water dish does spraying the tank regularly keep the humidity up

Ok, are your heat sources on thermostats?
You need to add another hide.
If your hygrometer is an analog dial style stick-on, I would replace that as well. They are wildly inaccurate up to 15-20%

[jdax]

As other members have already said, if he is hiding, he is happy. The signs that things are off usually involve them actively looking for ways to escape. I'd second the suggestion of a second hide. You want one on each end of the temperature gradient, so that they can thermoregulate while still feeling safe and secure. Other members have also mentioned thermostats, and I'm gonna say that they are absolutely critical. Heat mats an heat lamps can easily get to dangerous temperatures if they are not plugged into a thermostat. There are cheap ones on Amazon(https://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-Contro...dp/B000NZZG3S/) they can be easily set up and set to the appropriate temperatures, they don't have a lot of safety features but they are a lot better than nothing. You can get super fancy ones from Spyder Robotics as wel(http://www.spyderrobotics.com/index....oducts_id=26)l - they are even on sale this weekend!

When he sheds, you will probably find it all rolled up with a beautiful pile of poop inside. If it's dry, get it a little wet (spray it with a mister or something) and unwind it. You want to look for any pieces that are missing - especially in the eye area. Once you've examined it to make sure it's all one long piece, leave your BP alone for a few days, their skin is very sensitive after a shed.

Welcome to the world of BP's - it can be stressful, but incredibly rewarding.