First time owner- Snake doesn't leave hide

[Caffeine]

Hi guys, first time posting and this is my first Ball.

He doesn't leave his hide at all except to feed. I chalked this up to stress of moving and being in a new place but it's been over 2 months. He is now approaching 2 years old and I purchased him from a person who says the previous owner before them just kept him in a box under their bed.

Quick rundown of set-up and my current care schedule for him:

-Fed weekly on medium rats. The previous owner fed him on large mice but his diameter at his thickest is on par with large rats so I bumped him up, first trying medium rats every 10 days or so and now onto weekly. He hasn't had any issues feeding and hasn't regurgitated or had any other such issues so I think that this is not currently an issue.
He pooped for the first time since i've had him just this week. This was beginning to worry me but I read on the forums that it's possible that they don't go for a month or two especially when under stress. I'm quite relieved now he has also relieved himself.
He is fed with tongs, inside his vivarium. This may be contentious but I have read enough accounts on both sides of this argument and came down on the side that i don't want him to associate being handled with being fed.

-Water changed every other day. Either shop bought still or tap water that's been left for a few days. Every now and then a white film happens on the water bowl. I'm a little confused at this but not immediately alarmed.

-Bedding changed about every few weeks and the vivarium sanitised immediately after he's made a mess and him moved to a seperate warmed box.

-Because he seemed stressed I have added larger scenery inside the viv, nothing much seems to have changed.

-Viv sprayed every couple of days and i have a small plastic box with damp cloth in to keep humidity at about 40 or higher. This isn't where I would like it and i'm saving up for a mister.

-Viv temped by a thermostat connected to a ceramic bulb. Temperature is checked by a manual thermometer in the warm end of the viv.

-If he exhibits any shedding problems (seems mostly to come off in 3/4 big pieces but occassionally smaller bits stay on) then i move him to a box with warm water about half to 2/3 of his height in depth with a cloth for him to rub against. He has shedded twice while in my care.


I am asking primarily to check that my care of my snake is suitable and also what you recommend to reduce the stress of the snake and make him more accepting of being touched and handled. Right now while I can move him between viv and other boxes without him striking he does ball up. I expected this when I first got him but I'd like to change this and increase his trust of me.

What would you suggest and is there anything I need to be aware of or change about the care routine at the minute?



Thanks for your time and happy to be here.

Chris

[Craiga 01453]

Well, first off, Welcome!

Now, let's get this out of the way...
As the saying goes: a hiding BP is a happy BP.

You mentioned your temps are controlled by a t-stat, but didn't mention the actual temps. So, what are your temps?
Where and how are you measuring temps?

Does the snake have more than one hide?

How often and for how long are you handling the snake?

Answering these questions will help us help you.

[Zincubus]

As above post basically ..
Haven't got much time but ...as soon as you notice he's in shed keep checking for when the eyes clear then start spraying morning , evening and bedtime every day until the shedded skin is found in a messy lump under a hide a few days later

Is he not even having a mooch around in the evenings ?

Try adding some branches from the local woods or parks as they will climb in the evenings ...




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[Caffeine]

Well, first off, Welcome!

Now, let's get this out of the way...
As the saying goes: a hiding BP is a happy BP.

You mentioned your temps are controlled by a t-stat, but didn't mention the actual temps. So, what are your temps?
Where and how are you measuring temps?

Does the snake have more than one hide?

How often and for how long are you handling the snake?

Answering these questions will help us help you.

The temperature around the lamp and his hide is 28-30 degrees Celsius, he only has one hide. Although I haven't measured the gradient in a while I think it was 24-26 at the cooler end with the water bowl.

I am measuring the temperature with a stick on dial thermometer in the corner of the viv closest to the glass on the warmer side. Thus far I've only handled him when moving him. I do put my hand in the cage to help him get used to my hand and smell but haven't attempted much more.

I work odd shifts so I control the light (not the ceramic) remotely to give him 12 hours of light a day. Despite seeing him at all times of day over the past few months I've never seen him leave his hide unless I coax him out to feed.

No doubt it's partly to do with his personality and whilst I'm not concerned for his health (he isn't exhibiting any signs of illness and isn't lethargic when moved from the viv) I'd like to hear your suggestions on how I can make his life better.

As for the reply about branches I'll be purchasing branches from a petstore soon to see how he likes it. I'm wary about taking ones just from local wildlife but I know I can boil or otherwise sterilise them to make it safer.

Thanks for the replies.

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks for the advice about shedding ^^

[Phillydubs]

Do you ever get to see him at night or hear him?

im new here as well and just got my first bp. My guy hides all day and then roams all night long.

You will want to add another hide. Preferably identical. A warm hide and a cool hide. Your temps seem to be rather close and not providing much of a gradient. You may want to differ them more

[dakski]

The temperature around the lamp and his hide is 28-30 degrees Celsius, he only has one hide. Although I haven't measured the gradient in a while I think it was 24-26 at the cooler end with the water bowl.

I am measuring the temperature with a stick on dial thermometer in the corner of the viv closest to the glass on the warmer side. Thus far I've only handled him when moving him. I do put my hand in the cage to help him get used to my hand and smell but haven't attempted much more.

I work odd shifts so I control the light (not the ceramic) remotely to give him 12 hours of light a day. Despite seeing him at all times of day over the past few months I've never seen him leave his hide unless I coax him out to feed.

No doubt it's partly to do with his personality and whilst I'm not concerned for his health (he isn't exhibiting any signs of illness and isn't lethargic when moved from the viv) I'd like to hear your suggestions on how I can make his life better.

As for the reply about branches I'll be purchasing branches from a petstore soon to see how he likes it. I'm wary about taking ones just from local wildlife but I know I can boil or otherwise sterilise them to make it safer.

Thanks for the replies.

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks for the advice about shedding ^^

1. Two identical hides. One for hot side and one for cool side.

2. You need a temp gun for surface temps. Air temps are not as helpful and can vary substantially from ground temps, especially near a heat source.

3. Hiding is normal.

4. Has he eaten for you yet?

5. How old is he?

[Zincubus]

The temperature around the lamp and his hide is 28-30 degrees Celsius, he only has one hide. Although I haven't measured the gradient in a while I think it was 24-26 at the cooler end with the water bowl.

I am measuring the temperature with a stick on dial thermometer in the corner of the viv closest to the glass on the warmer side. Thus far I've only handled him when moving him. I do put my hand in the cage to help him get used to my hand and smell but haven't attempted much more.

I work odd shifts so I control the light (not the ceramic) remotely to give him 12 hours of light a day. Despite seeing him at all times of day over the past few months I've never seen him leave his hide unless I coax him out to feed.

No doubt it's partly to do with his personality and whilst I'm not concerned for his health (he isn't exhibiting any signs of illness and isn't lethargic when moved from the viv) I'd like to hear your suggestions on how I can make his life better.

As for the reply about branches I'll be purchasing branches from a petstore soon to see how he likes it. I'm wary about taking ones just from local wildlife but I know I can boil or otherwise sterilise them to make it safer.

Thanks for the replies.

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks for the advice about shedding ^^

Soooooo ... Just concentrating on your stick on thermometer ...

Is it similar to this one ?



So many new keepers end up with these as they're pushed by retail shop staff who have no experience with snakes ..

It's just that they give a very rough reading of the air temp around the thermometer which will be nothing like the temp on the floor of the warm hide which may be far too warm ..

Incidentally , is the hide on the cool side ??

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