Hey there new member/owner with a lot of questions lol

Sounds like most things have been covered already but just to confirm, definitely get any pads on a thermostat asap and make sure there's a higher hot spot available at 90 degrees. You mentioned having to pry him off of you. Snakes do not seek affection in any way or need training , chances are he feels insecure and just wants to grip and avoid feeling like hes sliding off your arm. If you think about it, BPs are not arboreal so being held off the ground where they're usually in a small, dark place compared to being held up on an arm is a bit different. Not saying handling is bad, just keep the time limited and you'll be fine. Congrats on the new guy!

Keep providing hiding areas in both the warm and cool areas. A species that values privacy and needs it for its well being (they spend almost all of their lives holed up in a dark, tight spot) shouldn't have to choose between thermoregulation and safety/privacy.

You can have a lot of fun with this snake while still providing it with its basic needs. Sounds like you are already off to a great start :) And your baby is gorgeous !!!

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Originally Posted by Rexfuzz

Hi! so I basically wrote the story out in my profile but I acquired a ball python under unusual circumstances. his name's Godric and he's very sweet/social. I think I'm doing all the right things as far as his care goes but any help/tips that anyone might wanna throw me would be much appreciated.

snake specs: look at my avatar. That's about how much I know. He's pretty cute right? I'd say he's close to 3' (or a meter) in length. like I said before, super sweet demeanor. he will gladly chill out on me like all day If I let him. I always have to pry him off me lol. I'd like to know more about him though for sure. anyone got an idea what his age could be? I'm not completely convinced his growth hasn't been stunted. I'm pretty sure he hasn't usually had the warmest tank locations/conditions before I got him. as for species/breed, I'm pretty sure he's a ball python and I have no clue what his breed is.

tank specs: He's in a 50 gallon tank with a heat mat underneath 1/3rd of the left side. and 2 night time heat lamps overhead of that spot a 100 watt and a 50 watt bulp. the 50 is in case the room gets too cold (the room he's in is VERY, unavoidably cold, unfortunately) that's why the water is in between those two, It's lukewarm but definitely cooler than the outside air so he can chill in it. Plus he has the other third of the tank which is much colder. it's 75°f where his hiding rock is, in the center of the tank. inside the rock is like 80°f and that's where he seems to chill for the most part. prolly cause it's the warmest spot.

I don't know if I'm able to post pictures here yet but If I can and I figure it out I totally will.

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Easiest way to upload photos is to download the free TapaTalk app - it has a one button photo upload option and is great if you use a few forums

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Originally Posted by Merriah

So, here's my two cents... my snakes both have UTH and overhead lights during the day (8am to 8 pm). They are both out right now basking in their lights. They do not have two separate hidey huts because I want to see them. They are trained to be socially adept so I can bring them to meet with children and the elderly anytime I want. I did some of this training with my first three snakes, and they were adopted to handicapped kids with allergies. These kids finally have an animal they can play with! So, the parameters that are being shown here are not necessarily correct.
They need one hidey hut, preferably placed half on/half off the UTH. They need fresh water every day. My little Mikey is actually a water snob. He won't come out until he hears me replace his water, then he comes out within 5 minutes! Hee, hee!
They both work with the public, and they have no problem with their living environments. Just to add, they also have two climbing sticks, several large rocks, a kitty ball (with the bell), and a toilet paper roll to play with. Seriously. My snakes are fun to watch. Sometimes when I'm dozing in the living room they wake me up with the kitty bells. They need enrichment anytime you can provide it.
Anyway, I'm new to this blog, but I'm not new to training snakes. Sending my best and *hugs*!

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I guess there are no rigid rules in snake keeping .
You have some interesting ideas for sure .

I have 5 Royals who all have two identical hides one in the warm side the other in the cooler end . That's what I was told to do years ago and to be fair they are all happy and healthy , are actively climbing branches ( evenings only ) and all eat d/f every time .

That said I also go against the norm by keeping my Burm , Retic and two Boas WITHOUT any hides !!

They are all kept in vivs and have quieter areas in amongst the branches and logs .

All very friendly / placid / calm etc WITHOUT hides !


Incidentally , I tried them with hides but they just didn't use them usually climbing all over them but never going in them . The breeders of each advised against hides but I still tried them anyways .

in your setup OP...keep two hides...one hot and one cold.

"A hiding ball is a happy ball" is fairly accurate, considering these animals spend 90% of their lives in the wild holed up in a tight, dark space as already stated....

They aren't happy with regular light on them and have no need for it as far as I can discern, they are nocturnal and come out and roam in the evenings/night as zinc said. You can get him accustomed to specific routines but if you don't see him during the day, that's a great sign.

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

I guess there are no rigid rules in snake keeping .
You have some interesting ideas for sure .

I have 5 Royals who all have two identical hides one in the warm side the other in the cooler end . That's what I was told to do years ago and to be fair they are all happy and healthy , are actively climbing branches ( evenings only ) and all eat d/f every time .

That said I also go against the norm by keeping my Burm , Retic and two Boas WITHOUT any hides !!

They are all kept in vivs and have quieter areas in amongst the branches and logs .

All very friendly / placid / calm etc WITHOUT hides !


Incidentally , I tried them with hides but they just didn't use them usually climbing all over them but never going in them . The breeders of each advised against hides but I still tried them anyways .

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Boas aren't a species that is holed up in a dark, tight space for most of their lives. Ball Pythons are.
There is plenty of evidence that this is what they crave and need for their well being, many problematic BP's will start to thrive if you meet their basic needs.
Does that mean there aren't the ones that will grow and live without some of their basic needs met ? Of course there are.

I've had all kinds of snakes. Some used their hides sporadically, like my Redtail Boa, some didn't use hides like the GTP's, Carpet and Russian Ratsnakes, and then there were the Ball Pythons, and Borneo short-tail who would use their hides every day. Doesn't mean they were in it 24/7, but I would never deny them this basic need in their lives, just so that I can "see" them more. There are plenty of snakes that don't hide, if I want a species for display.
Just saying, different species, different needs.

IMHO of course ;)

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Originally Posted by zina10

Boas aren't a species that is holed up in a dark, tight space for most of their lives. Ball Pythons are.
There is plenty of evidence that this is what they crave and need for their well being, many problematic BP's will start to thrive if you meet their basic needs.
Does that mean there aren't the ones that will grow and live without some of their basic needs met ? Of course there are.

I've had all kinds of snakes. Some used their hides sporadically, like my Redtail Boa, some didn't use hides like the GTP's, Carpet and Russian Ratsnakes, and then there were the Ball Pythons, and Borneo short-tail who would use their hides every day. Doesn't mean they were in it 24/7, but I would never deny them this basic need in their lives, just so that I can "see" them more. There are plenty of snakes that don't hide, if I want a species for display.
Just saying, different species, different needs.

IMHO of course ;)

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Isn't that what I've more or less said ?!?

:)

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Isn't that what I've more or less said ?!?

:)

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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And I agree, having had the same experiences :)

While Ball Pythons are my favorite, hands down, I miss having a varied collection..

Thanks again guys for all this info. just to set the record straight, Yes EVERYTHING is on timers and dimmers/adjusters lol.
I'm still definitely working on the tank layout I suppose but he seems pretty happy I guess. he seems to do all the normal ball python things.

Just as long as he's happy in his hide, and the humidity/temperature and other husbandry aspects are fine. Keep it up. :)