Behavior problems

I have a baby ball python, he's about 20 inches long. Ive had him for about 3 weeks now. Every night when I get home from work he is always out from under his log and roaming around his cage. Recently he has stopped all of this activity and just stays hidden in the evenings. It appears that he's getting ready to shed also. I handle him EVERY NIGHT for atleast 45mins to an hour. Im wondering if he is just getting very use to his cage or should I be concerned with the lack of evening activity. Also, when I get him out of his cage, he moves around a little bit in my hand but then just gets comfortable and stays there. Is there anything wrong?

You could be handleing him a little too much. 2-3 times a week is enough to keep him tame but will not stress him out. You definately don't need to hold him for 36 hours after eating or during his shed cycle. Give him a little break from holging him and see what happens.

Like they say. A hiding/sleeping ball python is a happy one. I wouldn't worry about it. As for the being lazy in your hand... mine does too sometimes when he finds a comfy spot.

Ball pythons spend the majority of their time in their hide. They are nocturnal so do come out more often at night but during shed and after meals it's normal for them to just stay in the hide for days.

Mine is almost always hiding out in his little cave. It's normal behavior for them, although I would say 45 min to an hour every day is a bit much for a snake. I'd cut back on the handling a bit. But as long as his temps and humidity are fine, and he eats for you, I'd say he's fine.

First of all, Id like to thank all of you for your quick responses. Ive had him for a solid 3 weeks and he has eaten all 3 weeks. He still hasnt shed yet but is starting look a little cloudy and dull. His temp on the warm side stays at 90 F all day and all night. The humidity hangs around mid 40's. I have the hardest time keeping it up around 50. I know it should be but its so difficult to do for me. I use repti-bark substrate, it seems to hold the moisture in for a little while, but by the time i get home from work its right back down to the 40's. I have him in a 20 GAL. long tank. I have a non-light emitting ceramic heating element and a UVB light on top the screen lid of the cage. Whats the best possible way to keep the humidity up while Im at work all day?

Well, he doesn't need the UVB light, for one. They don't get any benefit from it and having their cage lit up that brightly might stress them out. Ceramic heaters dry the cage out so it would probably be a better idea to get an undertank heater with a thermostat instead. So far as keeping up the humidity in a tank, it's tough to do, if you don't want to switch him into a tub (which is the easiest and best thing to do) then you can get a piece of plexi to cover the top with and that should hold the humidity in better. What are you using to measure temps/humidity?

If you absolutely have to use the ceramic heat emitter, try getting a large surface area water bowl near the basking area of the CHE. This will kick more humidity into the air. Also, like a previous response said, cover up that top to keep humidity in. Pre-shed: mist if need be and definitely lay off the handling when they are shedding. Imagine if you couldn't see AND were preparing to slough off all your skin...I imagine it would be pretty stressful.

For the humidity it would be best to bring ambient temps up in the room so the CHE is not needed. Mind you, I say this as I sit here and sweat. But gotta keep the herps happy!

-JonV

i would agree that the ceramic heat element just sucks the humdity out of the aquarium. since i switched to useing 2 under the tank heaters i haven't had any issues

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Originally Posted by tippmann

i would agree that the ceramic heat element just sucks the humdity out of the aquarium. since i switched to useing 2 under the tank heaters i haven't had any issues

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Remember to mention your thermostats that regulate the temps!!! :gj: