Is my baby Ball Python ok?

I'll just add one thing as I agree with the above suggestions and the floor of cage is likely too HOT (& heat rises, so the vines may be just about right now, but

you do want him to be able to safely use his "hides"). We aren't seeing the size of the hides, and even if they're a good match for his size, what snakes ALSO

like is "back pressure" (a close, snug feeling) as well as something to cling to...that may also be why he loves the vines. Instincts tell snakes to hide for safety

and he feels safe there...so maybe (AFTER you lower the floor temp. to not more than 90*) also add something to his hides to make them more cozy: a piece

of vine, or a crumpled paper towel might do the trick, or even some moss (& if you soak some sphagnum moss in water first, that makes for a "humid hide" which

many of our snakes love & even need for good shedding). Congrats on the beautiful "little one" and also for paying close attention to do the right habitat for him-
you'll get there, I'm sure. :gj: And :welcome:

Thanks so much! I’m definitely going to try this. Assuming the CHE will only heat up the top of the hides and not underneath. Should I expect him to hang outside of his hides for warmth?


Thanks for all the suggestions!!!!

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Originally Posted by Abigail23

Thanks so much! I’m definitely going to try this. Assuming the CHE will only heat up the top of the hides and not underneath. Should I expect him to hang outside of his hides for warmth?


Thanks for all the suggestions!!!!

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You'll often here the phrase "a happy ball is a hiding ball" in the snake community. And it is said often for a reason. BPs will spend the vast majority of their time hidden, so once your husbandry is fixed your BP will likely get settled in pretty quickly and use the hides most of the time.

I’ve def heard that from a couple of people in the past three days haha.
I know he hasn’t eaten since last week on Wednesday. I brought him home Tuesday and am trying to let him settle in before feeding. Could that be a reason for him being out of his hides also? Bc he’s hungry and “looking for prey”

is 5-7 days of adjusting really best?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Abigail23

Thanks so much! I’m definitely going to try this. Assuming the CHE will only heat up the top of the hides and not underneath. Should I expect him to hang outside of his hides for warmth?


Thanks for all the suggestions!!!!

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More so at night, if at all, especially when hungry. Ball pythons are pretty much ground-dwellers, so I think both UTH and some kind of overhead warmth are
beneficial. You just have to make sure the temps. are regulated & there is still a "cooler" side to the cage w/ a cool "hide" available, they always need options.

If I use both UTH and a CHE (or some type of light heat) What should I set both of them to on the thermostat?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Abigail23

If I use both UTH and a CHE (or some type of light heat) What should I set both of them to on the thermostat?

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Youll have to experiment a bit. It varies too much to give you an answer because everybody's setup is a little different. So you'll have to set them, check them, adjust, repeat until you get it dialed in. I have all mine in the same room and they all require slightly different settings. Yours will be different than mine too. There's room temps, enclosure types, etc...that are all variables. So it's a trial and error thing.
It takes a little time and patience, but once it's dialed in its done, then you just need to do daily checks to make sure equipment is functioning, but the equipment does the work for you and you don't have to stress it. Easy breezy :)

Thank you!!!!!!! :)
Will let you know how it turns out. Determined to get his living space as perfect as I can!

Tape black construction paper on the outside of the tank, both sides and the back. It will make him feel more secluded and not so exposed. Then I would also cut a sheet of styrofoam (about 1/2 inch thick) and tape that to the sides and back as well. Also covering part of the top. You want him to have some air flow from above, but also try to keep heat and humidity in, and make him feel enclosed. Just leave half of the top open (well, mesh screen on it of course). Enough to place your heat lamp and let some air flow in and out.

Set the thermostat to 90 or 91, and place the probe between the UTH and the glass bottom of the tank. Setting it just a bit over 90 makes sure that the bottom of the tank hovers around 90 degrees. Make sure your substrate isn't thicker then about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch, so that the warmth reaches the top of the substrate. Don't worry if the top of the substrate is slightly cooler then 90 degrees. They will push and bury their body down to the temp they like. If the bottom is to hot, you risk them getting burned.

Get the ambient up a bit with a ceramic heat bulb, but careful. Its easy to get the ambient TO high with 2 heat sources in that small enclosure. But once you get the UTH dialed in correctly and the tank insulated, it should get easier to reach a good ambient with a very small heat lamp.

Your baby looks very healthy and beautiful and the way he was hanging off the vines with the S-shape to his neck, staring down, looks to me he is already looking for food.
Don't handle more then absolutely necessary for now, get the adjustments to your tank done asap, then wait a day or two more and offer food ! The "stress" roaming looks more of a constant moving around, constant probing for ways to get out. Your baby seems to look for the right temps and perhaps for food. :)

Construction paper is genius! Read this while on my way to get some. I’m gonna try to feed him Sunday night. Hopefully that stops the roaming. Thanks for the advice! :)