HELP with new additions!!!

I just got four month old baby ball pythons yesterday. They were shipped from Wisconsin all the way to me in Washington. From all my research on ball pythons i wasn't expecting them to be so aggressive. I have been dealing with a lot of defensive strikes and hissing when i move hides and change water. Is this common for Ball pythons coming from a breeder? I get the feeling that they are not used to the clear tubs i use. I'm concerned my movement is upsetting them. I also have two cats that I think might be making them nervous, but from what i have seen they haven't been up close to the rack while i am around. How long is the adjustment period usually take? Does it take longer for BP's that come from breeders than pet stores? What can i do for them?

PLEASE HELP! I want them to adjust and be healthy. I really need to get in the tubs to work on regulating the temps(I'm still learning to use my thermostat). I'm afraid to because I don't want to stress them out. What should i do!?

You should check out Justin Kobylka's video. He talks about aggression and basically "dominates" them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7DQssbM0uk

Well, you should have had all that set up and running right before the snakes got there. So now we need to get you squared away so they can settle in. The hissing and striking is from stress. What kind of set up do you have? Any pictures? And what are you running temps at, and how are you regulating them? What type, and size of hides, and tubs? Typically what we recommend for a new bp,is at least a week of being left alone to settle in. Until you have a good 2-3 feedings in them, leave them be as much as possible. Like only disturbing them to clean messes, or for fresh water. Can you give us some more info?

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So i am using an animal plastics four shelf rack that has open sides and back. I have them in 15qt tubs right now. I use paper towels as bedding for now, but i want to change to a substrate when i clean them next. They have one water bowl and a small hide in with them.Water on the cool side and the hid is in the middle. As for the temps let me check a tub. I have my herpstat1 set at 89 degrees with the gauge being on the heat tape in back. The temp right now in an empty tub is 87 in back(hotspot) and 75 in the cool end.

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"You should check out Justin Kobylka's video. He talks about aggression and basically "dominates" them."

They just got here. I think i should leave them alone for now, but if it persists should i after a week or so?

75 is getting quite cool what is the ambient air temps? I don't like seeing temps below 75 so you are on the bitter edge as far as I am concerned.

I would also suggest leaving them be for 2 feedings just clean up. I don't like the risks associated with paper towel however slight. I use a particle substrate that I can spot clean it is easier but in your case I would not switch just leave them be.

The temps i gave are from an empty tub though. Does water help heat with humidity if its on the cool side? I'm in washington state so its pretty cold too. What should i set the thermostat at to get a good balance? Daytime i have it set for 95 now and 89 for night

Water in the tub will help humidity, to answer your question.

Being new, your ball pythons are probably just stressed. I would give them identical hides (one on the hot side and one on the cold). As for temps, you can leave your heat on constantly to give a 90*-92* hotspot. As for your cool side, I agree it's pretty cool. Is there any way you can warm up the room they are in? Ideally you want it to be closer to 80*. Once you get the temps and humidity sorted out and give them a week without disturbing them, try to feed them. Once they've eaten at least three times with you, then you can try to handle them. Hopefully their defensive attitude will have worn off.

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Originally Posted by Webley

The temps i gave are from an empty tub though. Does water help heat with humidity if its on the cool side? I'm in washington state so its pretty cold too. What should i set the thermostat at to get a good balance? Daytime i have it set for 95 now and 89 for night

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No water vapour tends to drop heat not increase it. Typically the best and easiest way to increase the cool/ambient temps are to heat the room usually most use a oil filled heater. It is quite common for racks to be located in heated rooms usually 80ºF this is the down side of racks they have limited heating options.