Need help with a few questions about my new ball python. PLEASE HELP!!!

Can anyone help me with a few questions?

We're here for you. Ask away!

Normally you ask the question, then comes the answers. Without a question, we'll be going no-where fast.

I'll begin with some info. It is still a baby probably no more than 6-9 months old. I got em from a friend who could not keep em. I have em in a 20 gal long tank with Shredded Aspen bedding 2 hides, medium water bowl, 2 small branches and a fake plant. I'm not sure of the sex of it yet but I'd like to find out.

the question I have is the snake fed today and tried to go tail 1st, which didn't work out 4 it. And that covered the mouse with Aspen back so that when it ate it head 1st it swallowed a huge chunk of bark. Is this OK or what should I do?

So are you trying to find out the sex of your bp? Or do you have questions regarding your tank setup?

Sorry I'm a slow typer but getting better

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Originally Posted by waltah!

So are you trying to find out the sex of your bp? Or do you have questions regarding your tank setup?

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Did u get the Aspen bark question?

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Originally Posted by wordwarrior100

Sorry I'm a slow typer but getting better

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It's all good.
Your bp should be fine. As they say, this too shall pass. Sometimes they will get some stuck in their mouth and we may need to assist in removing it if it's lodged in really well.

4 some reason I'm not getting your answers till I post a new reply

Is there a button 2 press 2 get thread updates without posting?

Another question I have is how often do they go 2 the bathroom?

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Originally Posted by wordwarrior100

4 some reason I'm not getting your answers till I post a new reply

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I think you just need to refresh the page. If we're both typing at the same time it can also be a bit off.
If you are browsing the site you can hit the User CP button near the top left and it will give you updated posts in your threads.

As for the bathroom question, it varies. Sometimes it's every couple of weeks or weekly. With others it's monthly. They can go quite a while sometimes.

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Originally Posted by waltah!

I think you just need to refresh the page. If we're both typing at the same time it can also be a bit off.
If you are browsing the site you can hit the User CP button near the top left and it will give you updated posts in your threads.

As for the bathroom question, it varies. Sometimes it's every couple of weeks or weekly. With others it's monthly. They can go quite a while sometimes.

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Did u get my question about how often do they go 2 the bathroom?

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Originally Posted by wordwarrior100

Did u get my question about how often do they go 2 the bathroom?

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Read the last part of the post you replied to.

Oh wow that long? Do u recomend a different substrate?

Aspen is fine. I use newspaper, but only because it's easier to keep enclosures clean when you have a bunch of snakes.
Ball pythons are nothing, blood pythons many time go several months in between potty breaks;)

Since I just got em this week and he just ate 2day, how long do u suggest I wait B 4 I can handle him?

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Originally Posted by wordwarrior100

Since I just got em this week and he just ate 2day, how long do u suggest I wait B 4 I can handle him?

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48 hours or so is the rule that most people follow. You also want to try to give him time to get acclimated to his new home before handling too much. Since he ate for you already I'd say you're off to a great start.:gj:

Your snake in your picture is beautiful what is it? I'm new 2 snakes but falling fast in love with them. They r way cooler than I had previously thought

Thanks, that's a normal female bp. If you're talking about my avatar on my profile page then that's a male hypo bp. They come in tons of color and pattern morphs and they are very easy to become addicted to. Go to the ball python pictures forum and you will see some very cool animals.

Yeah I was in his cage 2day after he ate moving his hide, cuz it was a little 2 tight fitting, and he struck at me, but I feel it was totally my fault. I'm not detered 2 handle him

If I do get bit. Does that mean the snake will always see me as a threat and not like me?

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Originally Posted by wordwarrior100

Yeah I was in his cage 2day after he ate moving his hide, cuz it was a little 2 tight fitting, and he struck at me, but I feel it was totally my fault. I'm not detered 2 handle him

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That's where the leaving time to get acclimated comes into play. Bp's are mostly very reluctant to bite, but stress or hunger can make them have a go at you. Hides should be very tight fitting. If they can barely fit in there then it's pretty much perfect. I think they prefer hides that touch all sides of their bodies so they feel secure.

I was told it doesn't hurt at all but just makes me a little leary. I'll probably leave him alone 4 a few days before I try and take him out. Do u feed in cage or a feeding bin?

I feed in their enclosures and have never had an issue.

Ok maybe after he gets settled and I have him out, I'll put his hide back the way it was. I just kept seeing it lifting the hide up when it moved and I thought it was stuck

How many snakes do u have? and how long have u kept them?

Sounds like a plan. Go check out some pics and see all of the cool bp morphs. Many of them are pretty impressive.

I really appreciate your help and advice in all this. They r a pretty expensive investment and I want 2 do everything right. I love all animals

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Originally Posted by wordwarrior100

How many snakes do u have? and how long have u kept them?

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I have 40 or so right now. Many people here have many many more. I got my first bp's in '99 I believe.

I'll definately do that. How do I get back ahold of you if I think of a question and your on here? Your my first helper

Just addressing something that wasn't addressed. If you go the top and press "Thread Tools" you can press "subscribe to this thread" and get e-mail updates, if that helps some.

Sounds like you're doing good so far. I unknowingly bought my snake with a mite infection, which wasn't nice to deal with. Me and Ozamandyias came out okay, so if pooping is all you're worried about, you're doing fine.

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Originally Posted by wordwarrior100

I really appreciate your help and advice in all this. They r a pretty expensive investment and I want 2 do everything right. I love all animals

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You're more than welcome. I think you'll find that there are a ton of knowledgeable folks here who are extremely helpful.
If you go to the "Off Topic" forum you'll find a place to introduce yourself if you like.

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Originally Posted by wordwarrior100

I'll definately do that. How do I get back ahold of you if I think of a question and your on here? Your my first helper

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Click on my name and you will have an option to send me a message or you can simply ask whatever you like in the forum.

Ok Thank u. I think I'm gonna put this thread in my favorites as well and see how that works out.

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Originally Posted by shootingstar26

Just addressing something that wasn't addressed. If you go the top and press "Thread Tools" you can press "subscribe to this thread" and get e-mail updates, if that helps some.

Sounds like you're doing good so far. I unknowingly bought my snake with a mite infection, which wasn't nice to deal with. Me and Ozamandyias came out okay, so if pooping is all you're worried about, you're doing fine.

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How did u get rid of the mites?

There is always alot of people online here to help. Just browse through the forum and you will get alot of info. There are care sheets and threads on proper housing requirements. Pretty much anytime you post someone will answer you quickly. Welcome :)

Also I'll completely share this thread if anyone wants to throw out a question

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Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

There is always alot of people online here to help. Just browse through the forum and you will get alot of info. There are care sheets and threads on proper housing requirements. Pretty much anytime you post someone will answer you quickly. Welcome :)

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Thank you very much. I'm amazed at how helpful the reptile community is at helping each other out. I hope to be knowledgable enought 2 help others someday

Shooting star. How'd u rid the mites?

When I take my snake out in a few days it will be only the 3rd time I've handled him. How long can I hold him 4 before it gets stressed? Or what r the signs of stress?

My original question answerer is gone. Can anyone answer my question?

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Originally Posted by wordwarrior100

Shooting star. How'd u rid the mites?

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They try to keep each thread on one topic as much as possible. Some people also wont check back right away after posting a reply. If you dont get answers right away this is why..

There are a few treatments for mites but we recommend provent-a-mite. It works fast and completely but the directions on the can must be followed exact. Otherwise it could be dangerous for the snake. There are products you can buy at most pet stores as well. If your snake doesnt have mites you wont need to worry about it.

Can u answer my handling and stress questions? Also I was wondering how often should a cage be sprittzed if I'm having trouble keeping up the humidity?

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Originally Posted by wordwarrior100

When I take my snake out in a few days it will be only the 3rd time I've handled him. How long can I hold him 4 before it gets stressed? Or what r the signs of stress?

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Stress could be staying in a ball and not exploring. Being flighty and quickly trying to get away from you. Refusal to eat (which can also be caused by poor housing, wrong temps and humidity or time of year) etc etc. In the upper right just above each thread is a search box. Type key words in the search box in the proper forum area to find tons of posts on all these things.

Bigger water bowl. Wider but not too deep for the baby. Cover the top of the enclosure with foil, towel, plexiglass or whatever else. They only need a small gap for ventilation. These things help keep humidity up.

Can I spritz the cage if the snake isw outside the hide or will this bother the snake?

Also did u see my question about how long should I handle the snake the next time b 4 I put it back?

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Originally Posted by wordwarrior100

Can I spritz the cage if the snake isw outside the hide or will this bother the snake?

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Spraying them directly will sometimes annoy them. You can handle it for as long as you like. If it becomes a handful and wont calm down just put it back until the next time you want to take it out. Just dont handle for a couple days after each feeding. The handling is really up to you. If your husbandry is correct, it eats, its healthy, then everything else is totally up to you.