I'm a newbie to this site AND ball pythons!

Hi Diana,

This site rocks and the community is great. You can get any questions answered quickly and thoroughly, and there's always a good laugh to be had.

My wife is infatuated with Vigo Mortensen. Who picked the name, you or your daughters? : )

Happy herping,

Ken

Thanks for all the replies! I have been doing a lot of reading so right now I don't have any specific questions. But it looks like I've found the place to have them answered!!! Hmm..about the name Vigo...did my daughters or I name him? Let's just say it was mutually agreed upon!!! Vigo.....sigh.
Diana

I have a new ball python, too (named Smeagel)...

I've had him since last weekend, and he still hasn't eaten. I have tried feeding him in a small rubbermaid box (with holes) and in a pillowcase. So far, no luck.

Do I have to worry yet? I have an appt. this Sat. with a herp vet to get him checked for worms, parasties, weighed, etc.

He's about 24" long, but not girthy. He's in a 20g tank with the basking side pretty consistent at 85 degrees and the cool side at around 78.

He's very curious, active, and not snappy. My boyfriend, who has experience with burmese and retics tells me to chill out and quit worrying...but I, like Vigo's Pal, want to make sure my snake has a long, happy, healthy life:)

Hi Polarpooch! And welcome to the forums :)

I would say you don't need to worry about it yet; and just to be on the safe side, I would leave your new guy completely alone for about a week to let him get settled in properly. I know it will probably be the longest week of your life, lol, but it will sure be worth it when he takes that rat from you! :) And the warm side of your enclosure sounds a little chilly; I would try to up the temperature to about 87-92, no hotter than 95. Do you know what the humidity is in your enclosure?

That's good that you are taking him to the vet. :) Good luck with him.
Jennifer

If your boyfriend has significant experience with Burms and Retics, I would trust him to give you advice on a BP. I agree with him. Kick back and let your snakie settle in for a week or two. Even if it goes for a month or more without eating, no biggie. Good to see you taking it to a vet for a checkup!!!!!
(Trust your boyfriend's advice only if he is not a moron. If he is a moron, you would be the one to know!) :D J/K!
Keep up the good work!

Oh, yeah, I agree w/ Jennifer about your temps. (She's not usually a moron!)

OK, I'll chill.

Thanks for the advice on the heat: I had it up to 90 during the day, but thought that was too hot--so I'll get it back up there (I have to put a towell over the top to keep the heat inside...it's sooooo cold here this week and the drafts are keeping my room temp lower than normal).

I don't know the humidity. I'm guessing it's "normal" for the midwest, because I haven't experienced any dry skin this year (which I typically do)...and I moved my snake into the same room as my reef tank, which throws off about 3 gallons of water evaporation a day....sort of like a natural humidifier.

THANKS for the advice all!

...oh and my boyfriend isn't a moron. At least I don't think so :lol:

Vigo's Pal---didn't mean to hijack your thread....sorry!

get a humidity gauge polar. proper humidity is very important.

Humidity guage. OK, I'll do this. Haven't seen these in the stores. Any online sites that sell them?

What's good humidity for a ball python?

55%-70%.... you can get a cheap stick-on from any pet shop for about 12 dollars. They seem to do just fine for me.

Good news from the vet...my snake was pronouned healthy--of good weight--is mite free, tick free and has now been given a preventative dewormer. Oh, he's a male, too.

Got a humidity guage last night...humidity at around 60%.

BTW, anyone ever try to feed a python a goldfish? Just an idea...I have a tank full of them to feed my eels...and was wondering if balls ever took to fish....