First ball python! Could use some guidance.

Hello there! LONG time no see!

I had really wanted a ball python when I joined here a few years ago, but circumstances weren't right and I ended up not getting one. Well, I found this girl on craigslist:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y11...psa9c7be7b.jpg

I just had to get her. Now, the guy that I got her from had her on sand. :( But she is incredibly stressed out right now. How long should I wait before I change her substrate? And he also had given her a rat before leaving the house (he said he accidentally threw it in the tank instead of putting it into another carrier to give me), and she threw it up in the car (she only had the head down anyway). Should I just throw the rat away at this point? She is showing absolutely no interest in getting back to eating it. He also told me to wait 24hrs before putting her shelter in and water bowl... but doesn't she need water? I'm just so confused... all the research in the world doesn't actually prepare you for the moment of bringing your new pet home. I also know the tank is filthy (the glass) and needs to be cleaned. But I just want her to get settled before disturbing her too much!

Thank you for any help!

I am also new, but I can't understand why you wouldn't put water and hides in. I would think that it would help her settle in.
Anyways, congrats!!

I know, that's what I'm thinking. I did put the hide in but I'd actually have to move her to put the water bowl in. I'm just trying to keep the stress to a minimum, but I'm pretty positive she needs her water bowl in there!

And thank you! :D I am so excited! I have wanted one for so many years!

Sorry for the double post but I took that rat out and put the hide/water dish in. She went right inside her hide. Just seemed unnecessary not to put them in. I still do have a question though about when to change the sand out for a more appropriate substrate? I also realize I need to get her 2 identical hides (they only gave her one), but again, I just want her to get settled first.

Also, they said to feed her large rats. But.. it seemed far too big for her? She seemed to be having a lot of trouble with it before she threw it up. Should I just stick with small rats? She's about 4 feet long.

Congratulations on your new addition: Just in case you haven't had a chance to look it over, here is the care sheet that is linked on this website, this should help with your new ball. http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

I would do all the cleaning, put in different substrate (with glass I would recommend Eco-Earth) and put in the hides (shelter), then put her back in and then give her a chance to settle in (few weeks) before handling.

Definitely change the bedding right away. The eco earth or aspen would be really good for your ball python. Sand is a bad media to keep BPs on. Also, let the BP settle in for a week or two before really handling it very much. Definitely check out the care sheet link to get a better idea for other questions. Good luck and keep us posted on the BPs progress.

Thank you! Unfortunately it's going to have to wait until morning to change it out. Is that ok? The pet stores around me are closed and I have some ecoearth (that I use for my fire belly toads) but it's not enough for this tank. I could also temporarily use newspaper if you think she needs to get off of it right now, but she's been on it all this time I don't think one more night will hurt?

And thanks for the link! :) I did a lot of research a few years ago in preparation, but it's been a while and I definitely need to brush up!

Newspaper or paper towels would be fine for the night. I use white paper towels for all new arrivals for a few weeks as it makes seeing snake mites easier if the snake has them. Just remember that if there is an under-tank heater, it thermostat will have to be adjusted to compensate for the change in substrate so your snake doesn't get burned.

She's already stressed now, so I'd just do everything now instead of letting her settle and then stressingher out again :gj:

Ok, I'm going to change out the substrate now and put some paper towels in. Now, she did come with a ZooMed UTH but it doesn't have a thermostat. That's another thing I have to get tomorrow (I got her late today so there wasn't a chance to get back out after I got her home). Right now I'm just using the lamp because I don't want to risk burning her. Hopefully this goes well and I don't get bitten, lol. She's so scared. :(