Why is my 5 month old ball python so active?

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Originally Posted by Debra

Thanks for all the replies!

We've had him for over 6 wks and he used to go into his hide all the time. I have 2 snug hides, each w one entrance. I've use coco husks since we've gotten him. When he's resting he is staying outside his hide. I check the temp in the hot hide all the time w a probe. It's around 90F.

We feed him fussies, so maybe it's time to switch to rat pups or adult mice? I haven't weighed him. Will go and get a little digital scale today - seems like a good idea.

I do not have a thermostate. Where can I get one? They don't seem to have them at the pet stores.

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I would say rat pups at least. If you don't have a scale, you can eyeball it. The food should be about as wide as the snake is at it's widest part. If you haven't seen a snake eat before, don't let the slender neck fool you. If something can fit in the wide part of the snake, it can fit down the mouth and through the neck.

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Originally Posted by Debra

I do not have a thermostate. Where can I get one? They don't seem to have them at the pet stores.

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Wal-Mart

I purchasd the digital scale and our snake weighs 5.2 oz (147 grams) and the hopper weighs 0.8 oz (23 grams). Which is approx 15% of his body weight. Should the rat pups be 15% of his body weight or the mice hoppers? I have heard that rat pups are more filling. Is that true?

Inside the hot hide it's approx 87F

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Originally Posted by Debra

... I do not have a thermostate. Where can I get one? They don't seem to have them at the pet stores.

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Most highly recommended low end one(hydrofarm):
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_sa...m%20thermostat

Most highly recommended high end one:
http://spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Debra

I purchasd the digital scale and our snake weighs 5.2 oz (147 grams) and the hopper weighs 0.8 oz (23 grams). Which is approx 15% of his body weight. Should the rat pups be 15% of his body weight or the mice hoppers? I have heard that rat pups are more filling. Is that true?

Inside the hot hide it's approx 87F

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That should be enough to keep him from being hungry. If you're doing once a week, you might want to try every 5 days if you can. That'll keep him a little more full and help with the growth...147g is a little on the small side for his age, IMO.

My understanding is there is no definitive report on python nutrition needs. Some people claim rats are better, some claim either rats or mice are fine. When your snake reaches adulthood, I can say, you will find it much more convenient to feed him one rat than multiple mice, so you might want to switch him over for that reason alone.

The temps look good in your setup, what's the humidity at?

My guy will hide for 2 days after he eats a rat but on the second or third day he would poop and then he would be very active. I'm thinking he might be hungry, but I thought a rest will last them a week?

Sent from my HTCONE

If they're hungry, then they're hungry lol. When my snake is out and about, he's definitely hungry, and has eaten every time he's been offered food.

Humidity levels range btwn 50 - 60%. I usually spray the tank once in the morning.

I usually feed around 10% every 5-7 days. More often than not, it's a little more than 10%. HOWEVER, I have a freak of nature who has absolutely no problem sleeping stretched out across her tank without a care in the world. When she starts doing laps at 3am, it's because she's hungry. I'm betting yours is hunting as well.

Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by Debra

I do not have a thermostate. Where can I get one? They don't seem to have them at the pet stores.

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There are many places online, here is a place I like. The VE-200 is the model I prefer.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats

A cheaper option is the hydrofarm thermostats that you can get at Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...ords=hydrofarm