is this common?

So I was just wondering if its normal for a ball python to almost never leave the warm side of the tank and hide on the cool side. I did a lot of research, most of it which said that they need to thermoregulate, and she never seems to go to the cooler side. My temps on the warm side move between 90 and 93 and the cool side is usually 77-80.

And yes both hides are the exact same thing...

she may move when you sleep

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Originally Posted by patthesnakeman

she may move when you sleep

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but if she doesn't?

does she eat, does she poop?

If she doesnt, you may need to reevaluate your set-up. How long has she been with you? Perhaps the enclosure is too big, and she is stressed. I really think she moves when your asleep. Most Bp's are active at dusk and dawn, but you may never see her move. Stay up extra late, lights off for some hours, and see if she moves. maybe that will ease your mind.

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Originally Posted by patthesnakeman

does she eat, does she poop?

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Well she hasn't eaten in over 2 weeks so i havnt seen any poop and barely any urates... she shed last week and wouldnt take a meal on tuesday.

How big is your enclosure? temps, humidity etc? There may very well be something off that is stressing her out. How long have you had her?

i have her in a 10 gal glass terrarium, humidity is around 60%. 77-80 on cool side, and 90-93 on warm side. I have two cave hides of the exact same size one on each side, and a water dish in the middle. Im using coconut husk for substrate, and I have a 50w red bulb and a UTH for heat.

I would recommend giving her a couple weeks to just chill. If you havent had her long (and I'm assuming this since you never answered that) only handle to change her substrate. Water can be changed once a week unless she soils it.

Try to make sure she is not in a high traffic area, no loud noise, tv's, vibrations, etc. Also, do you have a digital thermometer/hygrometer w/ a probe? I recommend them (accurite from walmart, 12$), those dial ones are crap.

After 2 weeks, offer her a meal. If she takes it, great! If not, give her some more time by herself with no interruptions.

Offer again in one week, and hopefully by now she will take it. After you get her eating regularly, then you can start thinking about handling her.

Remember, you want her to eat and poop before handling her. These are shy secretive animals. You can start brief handling sessions a few times a week once she is eating regularly. That's my 2 cents.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I would recommend giving her a couple weeks to just chill. If you havent had her long (and I'm assuming this since you never answered that) only handle to change her substrate. Water can be changed once a week unless she soils it.

Try to make sure she is not in a high traffic area, no loud noise, tv's, vibrations, etc. Also, do you have a digital thermometer/hygrometer w/ a probe? I recommend them (accurite from walmart, 12$), those dial ones are crap.

After 2 weeks, offer her a meal. If she takes it, great! If not, give her some more time by herself with no interruptions.

Offer again in one week, and hopefully by now she will take it. After you get her eating regularly, then you can start thinking about handling her.

Remember, you want her to eat and poop before handling her. These are shy secretive animals. You can start brief handling sessions a few times a week once she is eating regularly. That's my 2 cents.

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Answering your question, I've had her for almost a month. She pooped and ate before I held her and that was the first week I got her. I never handle her for more then 5 minutes and thats usually every other day. Up until her shed she ate normally but I think the stress of me helping her get the shed of her head might have stressed her out too much. She shed on sunday and I tried to help her tuesday. Later that night after all her skin was off I tried feeding her and she wouldn't take it. I guess she was just too wigged out. I havnt messed with her since last tuesday so Im assuming she's doing better.