Need help with new Ball

I just got my new Ball yesterday and she's currently in a plastic vivarium with a heat mat at one side and the heat is 84F and with a water dish and a hide but she's constantly trying to find a opening to escape, is that normal for a new snake in a new home??

I was going to put her into a 3 foot viv but I was advised not to and keep her in her plastic viv.

I managed to hold her today for 5 minutes only and is it ok to hold her daily except for feeding so she gets used to me and everyone else??

And what are the signs of a stressed snake??

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Originally Posted by Emma

I just got my new Ball yesterday and she's currently in a plastic vivarium with a heat mat at one side and the heat is 84F and with a water dish and a hide but she's constantly trying to find a opening to escape, is that normal for a new snake in a new home??

I was going to put her into a 3 foot viv but I was advised not to and keep her in her plastic viv.

I managed to hold her today for 5 minutes only and is it ok to hold her daily except for feeding so she gets used to me and everyone else??

And what are the signs of a stressed snake??

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yeah sounds normal.... when you put them in a new home they * check it out*

Would it be ok to take her out and feed her in a seperate encloser as I was advised to so she wouldn't swollow any substrate?

Typically I let my snakes settle into their new homes for 1 week without any disturbances. I usually won't start handling until my snake has fed for me 3 or 4 weeks in a row.

I would recommend not handling at least until after your first successful feed. (You should wait two days to handle after feeding; handling sooner can cause a regurgitation)

You warm side termps need to be higher...check out this caresheet for some good info on keeping your snake healthy...

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

my bp did the same thing for about a week.you can feed in a seperate tub. i do some people dont its just whatever work for you and your ball

You mentioned you have a hide. Not sure if you meant one on each side (hot and cool). If not, it is recommended to have one on each side so your BP can go to which ever side it wants and feel protected.