Moose : a troubled snake

[SaucyMeatMan]

I just got my first ball pyhon about a week ago. I love the little tube dude so much but I'm worried about him. He's not really using his hides, alothough he somtimes puts his butt in the log. He never sleeps in them or really goes in them. I also tried feeding him yesterday and he wouldnt eat. Should I try refeeding today? He didnt eat last week either according to the store. Maybe stress from handling?


My abient temperature is 80 degrees with an 87 basking area. I have a hot hide and a cool hide as well as UTH. Humidity fluxuates between 60 and 40% as I spray three times a day.

[OneEyedFox]

Humidity needs to stay between 50 and 60 or he will be dehydrated. Also, you need to have a hot side and a cold side. You have a lot of learning to do. One second.


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[OneEyedFox]

Ball Python CARESHEET

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sha...6&share_type=t

Here, you need to really read and study this, your temps are too low and I'm guessing you don't have a hot and cold side. What are you housing him in? What bedding do you have him on. Can you provide a pic of the enclosure? BP's have to have the right husbandry or they won't eat, and they won't be happy. You need to make sure that your temps and humidity is spot on


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[OneEyedFox]

Ball Python CARESHEET

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sha...6&share_type=t

Here, you need to really read and study this, your temps are too low and I'm guessing you don't have a hot and cold side. What are you housing him in? What bedding do you have him on. Can you provide a pic of the enclosure? BP's have to have the right husbandry or they won't eat, and they won't be happy. You need to make sure that your temps and humidity is spot on


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Just now seeing you said you have a hot and cold hide, my apologies. What is the ambient temp on the hot side, and what's the ambient temp on the cold side? Basking temp needs to be higher.


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[SaucyMeatMan]

Been doing research for a long time. Definitely have hot and cold side. I'm waiting on some temperature related gear to come in the mail tomorrow so I cant give more information on the temperatures on each side. The water bowl is directly above the UTH and below the heat lamp on basking side to promote humidity and in addition have 2/3 of the top of the tank covered to retain heat and moisture.
i dont know what kind of substrate I'm using, but it's snake safe although not top quality

[SDA]

You should post a picture of your current setup, a good picture of your snake, describe what you are using for heating, including the thermostat(s) you are using to control that heating, the size of your enclosure, how long you have had the snake, what you have done since getting the snake (how long you left it alone without handling, how many times you have attempted feeding, what size rodent you are offering), and lastly where you got it from (this can tell a lot about the condition and stress of the snake).

I am going to assume and hopefully not wrong that you might have it in not the best setup for it to lower stress and acclimate, are using half logs for hides that are most likely too big and not secure, do not have any means to regulate heat on the heat sources, are using stick on analog thermometers, and may have got it from a big chain pet store like PetSmart or Petco. Just ignore any of those assumptions if wrong. We will know more once you describe your setup and provide pictures.

[SaucyMeatMan]

You're totally right about the big chain pet store.

I really appreciate the help.

I'll post all the information I have on me. I'm not home so I dont have a full picture of the enclosure on hand.

Purchased a week ago
Not sure exact tank size but it's perimeter is definitely over double snake length
Using analog thermometer / humidity gauge, new one is coming in the mail tomorrow along with a IR temp gun
I've been handling for about 10 minutes a day with a 2 day no handling period after initial purchase
I attempted to feed it a f/t pinky which may have been too small; I think I should go a little bigger. The feed was definitely not the same diameter as his body. Feed was thawed in hot water inside a plastic bag. maybe I didnt thaw long enough
Atrempted feeding for 10 minutes last night, thinking about reattempting tonight in the dark with a hotter pinky

One of the hides is makeshift out of a box, the other is a fake log

https://imgur.com/a/H3pBp

[SDA]

Ok we can break down a few thing that should help you out.

Nothing against you for buying from a big chain store but those are just places that turn around reptiles without any thought to their health or where they came from. They just dump them and replace once they sell one. For you this means you have some work cut out for you to get it to eat and reduce stress. Not your fault but you got them from the worst possible place so just assume this little thing is completely stressed form the ordeal.

Moving on...

To reduce stress you need to make it feel as safe and secure as possible. This means adequate sized hides it feels safe in. The half logs are horrendous for that but you can get them to work in the meanwhile by making sure one side is blocked off. Not ideal but it will help. Blocking off the back and sides of that tank (looks like a 20 gallon long to me) will help reduce the overwhelming feeling that the world is out to get it. Adding some clutters like fake vines will help it feel not exposed when it is out. You can get fake plants for real cheap at places like hobby lobby, michaels, or walmart. Just nothing with hoops of small looped plastic that it can get caught in.

Next, you are using aspen shaving for the substrate. That is great for hamsters and corn snakes but for ball pythons it sucks away humidity really bad. Once you can afford to get it, pet stores sell zoo med substrate either called forest floor or eco earth. Either will work great for better humidity control.

Now to the main issue. Handling. At no point over the next two weeks should you physically handle your snake unless absolutely necessary to clean the enclosure from poop or pee. Handling stresses out a new snake and should be the last thing on your mind to do. They are not puppy dogs and don't need cuddles

Your main job is to get your new pet stress free as possible and eventually eating. I would hold off for one week then offer it an appropriate sized meal. If it refuses then wait 5 days and try again. Newborn ball pythons feed from mouse hoppers not pinkies so you need to make sure you have the right size offered. Now since this was from one of the big chain stores and I can guarantee they have no clue how this snake was reared and what it fed off of, you may need to offer it live food for the first few feedings to get its feeding response going.

Lot to go over I know but let's break it down in small chunks:

For the next two weeks this is what you need to do

1. Get the tank blocked off on the back and sides. Even construction paper will do just get it so it cant see out those sides.
2. Get the hides so only one opening exists. best would get two identical hides with only one opening but for right now just get what you have working.
3. DO NOT handle for the next 2 weeks. this is not an option.
4. Only offer food every 5 days
5. Add some clutter like fake vines or ferns
6. Change the substrate to eco earth or forest floor (petsmart and petco sell these and so do almost every pet store)

You also need to get heat under control and get a thermostat but sounds like you are starting to work on that.

[SaucyMeatMan]

You've been incredibly helpful, thank you so much. I've got lots to work on.
I appreciate your understanding.

I've got 3 sides of the tank covered by cardboard
In addition, the log hide only has one opening. Maybe that opening is too large for hkm to feel comfortable though. I'll probably switch out both hides in a few days if he doesnt like them.

I'll try to get the better substrate as soon as I can
For humidity, what is your opinion on reptile humidifiers? Should I get onec or would the better substrate be enough?

Where can I get live feed?

[SDA]

Actually blocking off the top of the tank with tinfoil or even towels can help a lot to get humidity under control. Foggers or humidifiers can work but the problem often comes with how to control them to only work if the humidity drops too low.

I would focus right now on getting the snake mellowed out and keep offering frozen thawed heated up right before worrying about live prey. It can get tricky to get if you don't have a local non big chain pet store near by that offers live prey. If you do have a nice local pet store not too far you can check to see if they sell feeder mice but again don't worry about that for right now