He stopped being active

Hey, I got my first bp, and first snake, last week and he was very active. I got him a cool hide on wednesday and now he just won't get out of it. He used to move around a whole bunch. I figured that he was just hungry (it was about his feeding time) so I fed him and he moved around for the rest of that day. But since that night he hasn't gotten out of his hide at all ( that I have seen at least).
Is that okay?

That is a good thing lol. A hiding ball is a happy ball!

Chances are he was active when you first got him because he was in a new environment and he was a little stressed and a little curious. Once they settle in, being hidden all day is very normal (and good) behavior. It's a sign that he's not stressed and happy :D

how do you approach handling them when they get so hidden?

The same way you would if you were getting them out of their enclosure. Just be gentle.

Make sure he's eaten once or twice before you start handling, especially if hes a hatchling or is acting shy.

And just take their hide out from above them, and when you pick them up, try to go from the sides and support their belly as you lift them up. Try not to pick them up from the top because thats how predators (birds) would pick them up in real life.

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Originally Posted by TheInkpen

how do you approach handling them when they get so hidden?

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Just slowly lift the hide off the snake and pick up the snake. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mattchibi

Try not to pick them up from the top because thats how predators (birds) would pick them up in real life.

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i slightly disagree with this. Picking them up from the top is ok as long as you lift them midway down their body and not by their head or tail. I think its better to make sure you have a grip on them than scooping them up from underneath. Thats just how i do it personally but your way is fine too...

Ok, so hiding is good. The saying is a hiding ball is a happy ball. That means he has settled in. And yes, just slowly lift hide. Make sure they know you are there and grab them from the middle. Not the head or tail. Also, let them settle for 48 hours after eating so they don't regurgitate.

When I lift the hide I like to give their side a little rub. That way my first touch is not a grab or a scoop. It lets them know I'm there, and also gives me a chance to evaluate their current mood. When I give them a rub and a head swings quickly around or they puff up, I know they aren't happy about something.