Diary of a Ball Python

So now, its tuesday 4 am here. I got him last saturday. My first.

He is a courious little fellow and he is brave. Every night when he wakes up the first thing he does is try and see if he can get out.
Makes me wonder if the cage is big enough for him but according to this forum and everyone else. Its far more than enough.
The temperature is 70 fahrenheit at night and 85 during day.

Thats how the setup was when I got him. I cant wait until the heatpads get here tomorrow hopefully.

I red somewhere that his digestion stops if he is to cold.

I tried stroking him today and he hissed at me for every stroke then I put my hand on the venlitation so he could get the scent of me and it must have been me waving my hand around but he made a strike against the ventilation.

I actually just want the first bite to get over with so I can stop fearing it.

I am not scared of the snake itself.

This is going to be some awsome/weird/inspirational/funny relationship me and the snake...

You're keeping his tank pretty darn cold. You want the warm side to stay around 90-92 and the cool side can get to 70, but it's best to keep it closer to 75. I like my cool side in my hatchling/subadult racks to stay closer to 80.

They are always trying to escape, I don't think they ever stop, at least not at night or when disturbed.

They can't digest food without heat.

And lastly, their bites aren't bad. Being bit by a kitten is much worse. Their bite will startle you though!

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Originally Posted by SlitherinSisters

You're keeping his tank pretty darn cold. You want the warm side to stay around 90-92 and the cool side can get to 70, but it's best to keep it closer to 75. I like my cool side in my hatchling/subadult racks to stay closer to 80.

They are always trying to escape, I don't think they ever stop, at least not at night or when disturbed.

They can't digest food without heat.

And lastly, their bites aren't bad. Being bit by a kitten is much worse. Their bite will startle you though!

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Ditto on all of this..

As for stroking him, they don't necessarily like being petted.. Plus waving your hand in front of him may definitely trigger a strike. Either a fear response, or striking at your heat signature out of hunger.

Remember they are wild animals that operate on instinct. Reach in and quickly scoop him out. Do not reach in going in towards his head/face. Reach in coming from behind wherever his head is and grab a large portion of his body which is well behind his head.

If you are still nervous, cover his head with something like a towel and then scoop him out. Many snakes have a sort of "cage aggression". Especially when they are new and not use to being handled. These snake usually never try to bite once they are actually in your hands.

Then just handle gently. Don't stroke or pet, and don't mess with its head, face, or tail. After its use to you handling it, you can begin slowly covering its head with your cupped hand and gently touching it's head in the process. This will help cure the headshy-ness.

Chiming in for the heat increase. Also suggesting not handling for a while, although you might already know.

Mine (adult rescue / gift) was a little hissy til she got acclimated to us.

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Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

Ditto on all of this..

As for stroking him, they don't necessarily like being petted.. Plus waving your hand in front of him may definitely trigger a strike. Either a fear response, or striking at your heat signature out of hunger.

Remember they are wild animals that operate on instinct. Reach in and quickly scoop him out. Do not reach in going in towards his head/face. Reach in coming from behind wherever his head is and grab a large portion of his body which is well behind his head.

If you are still nervous, cover his head with something like a towel and then scoop him out. Many snakes have a sort of "cage aggression". Especially when they are new and not use to being handled. These snake usually never try to bite once they are actually in your hands.

Then just handle gently. Don't stroke or pet, and don't mess with its head, face, or tail. After its use to you handling it, you can begin slowly covering its head with your cupped hand and gently touching it's head in the process. This will help cure the headshy-ness.

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I knew about the temperature issue. It was the setup from the previous owner. I orderede heat pads right away and I sincerely hope they are in the mail. This is denmark. You can´t just drop down to the store to get some.

At least not in this town.

Even if the light is on for 13 hours it doesnt get past 88 F. The lightbulb might be old.

Very soon he will have UTH and a thermostat.

On the handling....That is awsome info. Thank you :-)

Should I wait with feeding for a day after getting heatpads for his digestive system to take affect from the increase in temperature?

Yea I've found that they are almost always more bark then bite. Although my 8 month old spotted thinks that he can eat me.

I would wait a few for days of stable, proper temperatures then feed him.

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Originally Posted by arialmt

I would wait a few for days of stable, proper temperatures then feed him.

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Sounds reasonable. Thank you

Good luck with him! Sounds like you're doing everything right, and I hope the rest of the equipment arrives quickly!

He should definitely mellow out as he gets used to you. When I got my baby ball Sekhmet she started out literally throwing herself at people trying to bite them! She mellowed out fairly quickly, although even at a year old she's super curious and tries to get into everything. She's never bit me though, and she hasn't struck in a very long time. Just do your best to go at the snake's pace when it comes to handling and you'll do great :D