I need help

I just bought a ball python yesterday and today, all the python did was stay in the half log that I had bought him yesterday. He slept all day and he is still sleeping right now, and I am a bit worried if something is wrong with him since he isn't moving from inside the half log ? I know that it may take a few days for the snake to be comfortable in it's new surroundings but I just wanna hear it from someone else who is an expert in boas if this is normal behavior for the snake . It would be a great help if someone would ease my worries .

_L.

Normal. Balls are nocturnal...

yeah I know that, but it's almos middle of the night here and he is still in the log, and I have often waked up last night to see that he has barley moved from where he was.

I probably should have been a little more verbose. Balls need time to adjust to their new surroundings. I would recommend at least a week to leave them alone, preferably two. After that time you could start to handle them a few minutes a day for a couple days a week, and that's also when you should attempt to feed them. Please read the caresheet on this site for all the specific information. Your snake will need certain things such as a cage appropriate for his size, a heating gradient from the low 80s to the low 90s, fresh water, and similar hides on each side of the cage. After your snake feels comfortable with his surroundings, you should start noticing him exploring his cage right after sunset.

Good luck!

Thanks, I read and reread the care sheet and several others on different sites, but I'm just worried that maybe he won't get of the phase and always stay in the log

Sorry but I just need to add something. Since he is staying in the log everytime, whenever I touch him, he is always cold, and I just fear that maybe he may not be getting the heat from the lamp that I have for him

STOP WORRYING...my snake stays in its hide rock mostly all of the day and then comes out very late at night....its normal for them to stay in them for very long periods w/o coming out....i barely ever see my snake in the cage so dont worry......

you need to give him 2 identical hides on each side so he can thermoregulate his body temperature. he needs to have a 92-92 degree warm side and a 82-84 degree cool side 24/7.

Thank you both, I really appriciate it. :P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Patel

Sorry but I just need to add something. Since he is staying in the log everytime, whenever I touch him, he is always cold, and I just fear that maybe he may not be getting the heat from the lamp that I have for him

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Are you keeping a regular light on all the time? If so, that will be another source for stress. This is why under tank heaters (UTH) are recommended in addition to providing a better source for heat. How are you measuring the temps on the warm and cool side, and are you measuring them in the hides?