nightly strolls no more

I fed my BP a few days ago (Thursday) and since then he hasn't come out of his hides.
He changed hides a few times but isn't active at night like he used to be before I fed him.

He looks fine when I check up on him but he goes right into his hide afterwards.

He used to come out every night at ~12am for a few hours (very active when he was out) but like I said he isn't anymore.

Is this normal?
I'm a little worried...

This is 100% normal! :)

In fact, when I invite people over to come see the snakes I tell em don't bother Wed-Friday (since Tuesday is feeding day). You won't see them at all on these days since they are happily digesting, dreaming of yummy rat feet heading down their throats.

I usually find around day 5 is when interest perks back up.

Hope this helps,

JonV

Yes it does help, thank you sir. :)

Actually a hiding Ball Python is a happy Ball Python! :8:

My ball came out last night and was very active for a few hours. I was so happy to see him moving around in his cage, it was the first time he ventured out of his hide since the first night i had him (friday). He seemed hungry, following my face and hands around when i was closer to the tank, so i think i'll try feeding him tonight. Wish me luck!

This is why BPs don't make good 'display' snakes: they hide 90% of the time. :) Now, if your friends come over in the evening/night the one or two days before feeding...that's a different story. Otherwise, they are nicely curled up. That's why I have mine in glass tanks; easier to see them curled up in their hides to make sure they are snug and happy. :)

Mystery just shed, could this also be a reason he was hidden?

After he finished shedding he took few laps around the tank, like he used too. :)

Yes, ball like most snakes during shed don't like to be fussed with, their vision is obscured and are jittery. My favorite thing after shed is thats when they look their best!!! Their scales are shiney and their colors are the most vibrant!

Yes snakes will hide while they are in the shedding process. They are vulnerable, their skin can be damaged easily when in shed, and they can't see a dang thing! My snakes are very moody during shed and don't even poke their head out on feeding night.

BP's love to hide in a snug warm hide. They will generally stay hidden after a meal because again, they are vulnerable. Using a lot of energy to digest and they dont want to lose a meal. That's often why snakes will regurge if they are handled right after eating.

One thing I have come to learn is to not to expect your BP to come out and say 'hi' when the lights go off. When they are active, just hope you are in the room and enjoy. Otherwise, they are enjoying being warm and full.