BP Question

I bought a lovely new ball python on Sunday who is only 6 weeks old, ever since I put him is his tank he just sits in one place all day long.
I have two hides in his tank but he is not interested in either......he seems very nervous when I open the tank and will strike at my hand if I get to close.

I don't want to handle him until I have fed him a couple of times and he is settled into his new home.

How can I get him interested in his hides or should I just wait for him to explore a bit ?

check out the caresheets on this site.


if this is a baby, they are probably stressed out or not set up properly.


babies, like small setups and smaller hides. temps are vital,
80-82 low/ 90-92 high.


cvaughn

I would just let him be for a week or so in a quite dark room. :2cent:

Ditto to what Kavmon said. I would make sure you not only have the two hides, but that the hides are small/snug. Also make sure the tank/tub your keeping him in is small. I would go to walmart and get a $6 tub thats slightly bigger than a shoebox and house him in that until he outgrows it so he'll get that extra sense of security. Oh yea, if you do get the small tub, try and get the opaque ones, they provide even more "security" feeling than the clear ones.

Thanks for all your advice.......its hard to leave him alone when he has just arrived.....I will feed him tomorrow and then leave him to settle for a week and see how he gets on.
Thanks for all you help

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paulrcooper

Thanks for all your advice.......its hard to leave him alone when he has just arrived.....I will feed him tomorrow and then leave him to settle for a week and see how he gets on.
Thanks for all you help

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I would wait a week before trying to feed. It probably won't eat until it is settled in more, and you will only be adding to its stress.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paulrcooper

Thanks for all your advice.......its hard to leave him alone when he has just arrived.....I will feed him tomorrow and then leave him to settle for a week and see how he gets on.
Thanks for all you help

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Yes, I would just wait another week to feed and let him be in a dark room with low traffic. BPs can last a very long time without eating, so don't worry about him starving.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paulrcooper

Thanks for all your advice.......its hard to leave him alone when he has just arrived.....I will feed him tomorrow and then leave him to settle for a week and see how he gets on.
Thanks for all you help

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I know you want to be around him and constantly see what hes up to but listen to these people they know what they are talking about. Dont bother trying to feed him for atleast a week and try to leave him be as much as possible because it will pay off in the long run. Just focus on taking care of his environment. I know it seems stupid, tough, ect but its what works. You will have plenty of time to do the fun stuff after this stage is passed. ;)

Thanks for the help.....I will update you in a few weeks time.