The Royal Party. 1st night/day.

First, thanks to those who have helped with the final advice. I'm pleased with myself for making the final adjustments and think I have a handle on tank temps and I'll be keeping an eye on humidity levels soon. We run decent levels here in MN during the summer and its often muggy, however today it was 48 degrees for a morning temp.

On to the fun. My son got his 1 year old, 27", normal female yesterday. She was fed Monday at her reptile store and took an interest in frozen, but ultimately went live. I'm encouraged that F/T'd will work down the road.

What an active night!! Zipping around the tank, both hot and cool sides, tipping our fake tank plant over (it springs back up), and yes, checking every nook for a way out. She is still busy today and seems very outgoing. She took to a hide once, but likes to hang out on a branch that crosses from 1 hide to another. She has 3 hides, a large and small water bowl.

I'm sure she's getting used to a 40 gal tank, but I was expecting a lot more "ball and hide" and a lot less exploring. I will maybe post some pics if I get motivated to load them. I stayed up late with Hunter the snake, just watching her party! Glad my son is only 9 cause if he was older I'd be kicked out of his room LOL!

She does not seem to be shy at all. I'm not doing any handling yet as I want her to settle in. What is the typical snake schedule as far as where they hang out and when? Cool side day hot side night or the other way around? Right now its just moving to a cool side hide. She's half in and half out of an open half cut mini log. Wrong,,, on the move again. She's decided to curl up on top of it instead.

Crikies!! I feel like Steve Irwin LOL! Nobody told me it would be fun.

Pics! sounds like the beginings of a new father/son hobby.
Warning: they are very addictive! lol

They usually hide during the day and maybe come out at nite. When you see them out at nite alot that means theyre hunting and looking for food bc theyre hungry. I would wait until she eats for you once or twice to start handling her. A hiding ball is a happy ball!:)

A new snake might cruise around a lot for a couple days, but she should settle down soon. You'll know she is settled in when she doesn't come out of her hides during the day.

Congrats!! sounds like you guys are having a great time with your new ball python!

Bp have no set schedule really. They will spend more time in the hot hide during digestion, but other than than, they are finicky, and will go back and forth between cold side and hot side depending on their mood. They just go when thy feel like a change.
Congrats on the new pet and good luck!

Dave

Thanks, I think things are settled. She's curled up and stationary. On the cool side and on top of her half log hide. Not a ball, but nicely coiled.

Things appear to be good. Not wanting to sound like a moron, but if they are just chilling out and coiled up but not in a hide is that OK? I think she's done for the day until dark and from my very, very novice observations, it seems as though she's not stressed by the tank. She's just sleeping on the cool side and seems comfy.

Gotta love the noob questions! But I have to learn from somebody.

Cheers,

Gio

I am sure someone is going to say it, so I will get it out there! The half logs arent good hides. They like to be completely hidden. I would bet if she had a real hide she would be out of site for sure!
These are a great option:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

But even an upside down bowl with a cutout or a small cardboard box will work great!

Hello and thanks,

I knew that about hides and have 2 other hides as well. A top hole entry hide and a corner rock hide. She has 3 to choose from and appears to like that half log right now. ALL are right for her size so maybe she still needs explore time?

I'll keep you posted if she doesn't settle down. I checked temps and heat sources and everything seems OK. UTH is on and working well and have a steady 90 + 1 on the hot side, 86-87 mid tank and 77-80 on cool side.

It's still OK to have a half log in the tank though or not?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

They usually hide during the day and maybe come out at nite. When you see them out at nite alot that means theyre hunting and looking for food bc theyre hungry. I would wait until she eats for you once or twice to start handling her. A hiding ball is a happy ball!:)

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Not always. It's also a sign of stress. Which is to be expected in a new home. If she doesn't settle down in a few days, then you may need to offer more hides.

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OK,

I'll keep watch. More than 3 hides may be next. 2 hot side and 1 cool side right now.
Maybe 2 and 2 if this doesn't work?