TIGER HELP!!-again ;)

[TIGER_BALL]

ok well tiger has become almost completely inactive the last two day since i fed him. it seems to me like the only time he is ever active is when i take him out of his cage and hold him or when i put him back in. also, but on a different note, he keeps pushing his darn repti bark all over and getting right down to the glass right above his heating pad. will this hurt him? if so how do i prevent him doing this? Please help!!!
adam and tiger

[daniel1983]

You should not hold your ball python for at least 48 hours after you feed. Snakes will generally seek the 'hot spot' in order to help with digestion and remain stationary in a hide for protection after eating a meal. What are your temperatures inside the enclosure? If your UTH is placed directly against the glass, I would suggest putting something down inside the enclosure (i.e. peg board is my personal preference). By allowing the snake to come into direct contact with the heated glass, it can possibly get burned.

[kurgan]

In my very limited experience a happy BP sleeps and hides a lot. Just because it is not on show and doing things doesn't mean it should be.

[Adam_Wysocki]

Ball pythons sleep during the day and come out late at night when you're sleeping ... you'll rarely see them moving around.

No handling for 48 hours after a feed.

Moving the mulch/bark around is normal ... it's his cage, let him decide how he likes it arranged.

If he's digging to get closer to the heat source, check your temps ... I'd bet that your ambients and hot spot are running too cool. 82-84 on one side, 92-94 on the other.

Hope this helps.

-adam

[kenatk]

Listen to Adam and the rest of the guys ... Your snake needs to heat his belly to facilitate digesting his food. That is why he re-arranged things in his terrarium, and is laying on his hot spot. You probably won't see much movement from him for 48 hours or so while he rests. You know how it is, after you totally cash a big prime rib, a baked potyato and 7 or 8 Guinness ... you lean back, unbuckle your belt and get real tired ... that is how it is with snakes too, only they rest a little longer because they digest their food slower than you do, and htey need heat to aid in the process.

Remember not to handle the snake for two or even three days after it eats (to avoid stressing him out, which will lead to him re-gurgitating his food) and make sure his tems. and humidity are optimal and consistant and you and your snake will be alright

I am glad to hear you had a good feeding session, I did tonight as well, so now Allister is setling down and relaxing ... you'll be fine as long as you are patient, watchful and condsiderate.

[Keystr0k]

Yeah, he's just "chillin' fat" if you know what I mean. Adam & the guys are right. Just let him do his thing.

[TIGER_BALL]

LOL!!!! WELL THANKS GUYS BUT I FED HIM, WELL IT HAS BEEN FOUR DAYS AGO LAST NIGHT. I FIGURED WELL FOUR DAYS OUGHT TO BE PLENTY AND TRY TO HOLD HIM AND HE TRIED TO BITE ME WHAT IS THAT CRAP ALL ABOUT?

ADAM AND TIGER