Yes I am the Newby....

Hello,

I am new to owning a Ball Python and snakes in general. The lady I bought my snake from had a mixture of Pine bedding (on the bottom) and Aspen bedding (on top). I have heard several people tell me that Pine bedding is a no no. So today when I fed her I changed her substrate out for all aspen. When she got done feeding I put her back in her home and she did her normal laps then curled up in her warm corner outside of her hide. Is she just cold? Also the rat I gave her was a bit bigger than the last one, and the guy at the reptile store told me it would be ok. She ate it with no problems, but now I am worried.....but just because she isn't in her hide. Please forgive me for my ignorance, I just want to make sure that she has a happy and content life.

Thanks, BestyGirl

could just be that its warmer on that spot than inside her hide or could be that she just didnt feel like hiding she was comfortable enough to sit outside her hide. i have many snakes that dont like their hides. im sure she is fine.

welcome to the site!!

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Originally Posted by ahunt037

could just be that its warmer on that spot than inside her hide or could be that she just didnt feel like hiding she was comfortable enough to sit outside her hide. i have many snakes that dont like their hides. im sure she is fine.

welcome to the site!!

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Same here. Sometimes my bp will eat, then just lay outside (or on top of!) her hide. Haha you will learn over time that our snakes can do some very quirky things.

And welcome to the site!

Thanks guys, I am glad that I found a good site to figure out what the hell I am doing!

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Originally Posted by BetsyGirl

Thanks guys, I am glad that I found a good site to figure out what the hell I am doing!

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This is a great site, i love it any questions that you have feel free to ask, this is a great community and i learned alot from here when i first started with this hobby and now i am addicted :) Welcome

I can tell u that sometimes mine will sit outside the hide on the warm side the first couple hours after a meal.. She's got some right hides so I almost wonder if she just can't fit her big but in there when she's got a rat in her belly

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Originally Posted by BoostedMX3

I can tell u that sometimes mine will sit outside the hide on the warm side the first couple hours after a meal.. She's got some right hides so I almost wonder if she just can't fit her big but in there when she's got a rat in her belly

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Hahaha! x2. Your baby is fine. They will often curl up over the hotspot to aid in digestion.

Couple of quick questions for you though, first, is the hide box over the hotspot too? And do you have 2 hides - one on the hotspot and one on the cool side?

And also, you don't need to feed your BP outside of her enclosure. Becoming food aggressive is a myth and your snake won't try to bite you every time you reach in there if you feed inside her cage. It is easier on them, and you, to feed in her cage. You have a much higher chance of getting bit if you are moving her immediately after she eats, she's still in feed mode and will likely strike. :gj:

Welcome to the forums!! And welcome to the addiction! :D

Her hide is located in the middle so half on the warm and half on the cool side. When she wants a bit more warmth she scoots her belly out of the side of her hide. The lady I got her from hardly had the tank warm, she really didn't seem to be taking good care of her, hence how I got her. I have been trying for months to buy her and I finally got my way :)

That's good.

It needs two hides though. One on the cool side and one over the hotspot. It should not have to hang out of it's hide to warm or cool. Doing that may make it feel exposed and cause stress. A hiding snake is a happy snake.

Welcome to the forum!