Newbie Snake Questions

[TIGER_BALL]

Ok Well I Bought My First Snake On Friday August 23rd. Now At First He Was Real Timid And Did Not Do Much. I Could Hold Him With No Sweat. But Now That I Have Fed Him A Few Times He Seems As Though He Does Not Want To Be Touched And Tries To Flee When I Attempt To Grab Him. And This Is Even A Few Days After He Has Eaten.
Is This Normal?
Thank You!!!!
Adam And Tiger (the Best Ball Python Ever):p

[tigerlily]

Make sure you have two hides, one on the hot side (92-94) and one on the cool side (82-84). Make sure the hides are just big enough for your snake to fit inside and are nice and dark. Measure temps with a digital thermometer - no dials or strips!! If the environment is right and he still seems scared, then it may be something you just have to work on. Small handling sessions until he tolerates the handling well. Can you give us anymore information on how old your snake is and how his caging is setup?

[kenatk]

I am a new ball python owner too, and it everyone here will tell you that you shouldn't handle the snake until about two or thre weeks after you get him/her -I am having the hardest time not holding Allister but I am sticking to my guns. And they'll also tell you not to handle the snake for a few days after it eats.

When the snake is settling in it will get a little fussy -mine didn't suprisingly but others do. The snake will also get fussy if it's about to shed (because it has trouble seeing at that time) and if it has eaten a few times it might be getting ready to.

Try not handling him until after another feed or two (wait another teo or three days after it eats) and try handling it gently for 5 minutes or so at a time and go from there. Always put the snake away while it is still enjoying you holding him, rather than when its showing signs of wanting to scurry off, it builds more trust that way.

Good luck!!!

[kenatk]

... oh! real quick ...

1. sorry about the spelling (forgot to spellcheck)

2. the reason I said what I did about handling was that I remembered I read something Bob Clark wrote, he said something to the effect that "...initial handling makes the settling in process take longer" ... that's why I mentioned early handling.

If your terrarium has good hiding places, and its temperatures are the parameters that tigetlily specified then it should calm down if it's left alone for a little bit

[TIGER_BALL]

Well My Tank Is A Pre Done Set Up With Some Upgrade Junk To It. I Have A 30"x18"x18" Tank. I Have A Habb Hut Half Log Hide Box And A 16.5" Hide Box. The Water Bowl Is A Rock Green Bowl. For Heating I Have A Zoo Med Heat Pad And A Clamp Lamp With A Zoo Med True Red Basking Lamp. His Floorinf Is Repti-bark. I Dont Know If I Mentiononed This Earlier But He Likes Kind Of Gray, I Think This May Be Him Getting Ready To Shed But I Dont Know If It Is Too Soon For That?

Thanks To All Whom Are Helping!!!
Adam And Tiger

[tigerlily]

How old is your snake? If it was born this year, you are probably due to have a shed. They usually happen every 4-6 weeks but can happen sooner or later, depending on growth. If you notice a pink belly or blue eyes, be prepared to leave him alone until he sheds which will be about a week or so. Last question how do you measure temps/humidity?

[tigerlily]

Oh and I forgot to mention....Welcome to the Site!!

[TIGER_BALL]

well actually all i have to measure my temp is some stick on thermometer and i cant mesure humidity yet, but i have been spitzing the enclosure nightly. i dont know how old he is but i will find out and reply back. thanks for all your help guys!!! oh yeah how do you know if you are feeding your snake too much?

adam and tiger!!!!!

[Adam_Wysocki]

all i have to measure my temp is some stick on thermometer

Those things are pretty much worthless ... with the cooler months coming, you're really going to want to pick up a digital thermometer from a store like Walmart or Target. They can tell you what your temps actually are so that you don't risk you snake getting a respiratory infection from being kept at incorrect temps.

-adam

[TIGER_BALL]

thank you i will pick one asap!!!! what about the humidity? where can i pick up the thing to measure that? and what should the humidity be at regularly?

-adam and tiger