just got a baby ball python, did i do something wrong......

I would recommend not trying to move this one for feeding. While everyone does their own thing. Moving a snake is stressful and unnecessary. Some will get used to it other don't. But for your case op I would not. He's gone through some major changes lately but
Still he is a baby they will be defensive. Still keep him in as little stress as possible. He will. Calm down. I see the feistiness as a good thing. When they have strength they fight. However if your temps had not matched up I would have recommended you rechecking everything to make sure the hot side wasn't too hot. I think he's doing fine. Remember to keep things simple.

The only thing you may want to do is make sure the hot hide is small enough for him to cram into. Also you can fix the humidity by spraying more at each spraying. Make it wet in there, it will dry out. If it doesnt your spraying too much. But when I spray I give a good dousing it dries out over the day. You can also put a towel over the screen or plexiglas.

Homegrownscales,


should i try and feed him again tonight? its only been 3 days since the last attempt, and i was going to wait until next tuesday to try again, but given the changes and his current behavior, do you think i should try and feed him again tonight?

I understand your frustation and not to be a douche but you keep telling the same story over and over. Give your ball some time to relax, your temps and humidity are probably fine; we dont live in a dry area and theirs a lot of rain up a down the east coast. He wont starve himself. I dont recall how big he was other than a baby, go with a fuzzy in a few days to get him started. Then get on a schedule that he likes.
Make sure water is available. I caught one of my babies drinking this morning but refused a meal. They have been here for a few days now. My Boa got a nice snake of a few hoppers ;)

rperry03,

not to be a douche to you, but no, im not telling the same story, i never ever had him strike at me, thats the "new" story, his aggression. Yes he hasent fed the last 2 times i tried, and yes it seems he is stressed, but not once since i got him has he shown any signs of agression until last night, hence me posting again....

And water is available, i have caught him a couple of times drinking water.

ok

Theres a lot of good advice here pick through it. The only advice I can offer is that humdity levels are fine in the northeast today (unless you have something drying out the air) and he needs alone time.

Heres another question for everyone: do balls prefer to eat at night? My other snakes get pissy when I bother them during the day and won't eat but the balls seem to be curious all the time.

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Originally Posted by rperry03

Heres another question for everyone: do balls prefer to eat at night? My other snakes get pissy when I bother them during the day and won't eat but the balls seem to be curious all the time.

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I feed all three of my snakes in the middle of the day when I get home from work.

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frankie- wait for at least 5 days between feeding. At all times. Refusals, accepts, regurges everything. It depends on the snake for when he will accept food. I just feed at night bc I have some that will only eat at night and other that don't care. It's easier on me. For your situation feed at night when he is most active and comfortable. 8-10pm is a hot time for mine.

so sunday it is...

i just did some more modifications to my setup, i got black contact paper and blacked out the three walls. And i figuered out that my digital thermo/hygro is not bad, the screen to my tank when i bought it came chrome in color, while the rest of the trim of the tank is black, well i just so happen to have some trim paint that i previously used on some chrome parts of my car that needed to be black, i took of the screen today to paint it, and i used a cardboard with holes cut into it to cover the tank in the mean time, before i did so i sprayed the tank down, well i went outside to paint the screen top, when i came back half hour later the humidity sky rocketed and its at 72%. So now i now, yes everybody was telling me that the infrared bulb dries out the tank and what not, but what im going to do it, wait until the screen dries up (probably by tommorow) and i will cover half the screen with a wet black small hand towel.

Today has been a bad day for my BP though, he was not happy when i was bringing out the tank to apply the contact paper, and he definetley got spooked when i took the screen out and put the cardboard one up, because when i did that i was spraying the tank and he was out, when he heard the spray he quickly ran to the side and got in his S position. Maaannn i really hope your right and he calms down eventually, i remember my old ball python i could put my finger right on his mouth and he would't twitch, i would parade him all over the place and handle him all day and he was so tam, with this BP, seems like a wild caught anaconda, im actually a little scared of him now, i never been bit before. I PRAY that he will eat on sunday when i try again, and that he calms down. Hopefully by the end of next week i can start handling him again, given he eats, is that too far fetched?

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j2...1/P4200195.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j2...1/P4200193.jpg

Are you still using aspen as a substrate? If humidity is an issue, you might consider switching to a more humidity-friendly bedding. I use cypress mulch for my snakes. It holds humidity well and is resistant to mold.

well right now im using a cardboard with holes in it to cover the tank, while the screen the tank came with dries (It was chrome colored and i painted it black yesterday) the black trim paint i used says it takes 48 hours before it fully hardens so it wont go on until tommorrow. I will say using that piece of cardboard with holes in it had kept the humidity perfect, after i spray the tank down it goes to about 70 percent and it takes about 9 hours before it goes to 50.

When the screen goes back on im going to try using a medium black towel to cover the half of the screen top, and i will keep it wet, i seen a few people use this trick and has worked well for them. If that does not work i will use a piece of plexi glass (like rperry03 pics). Either way i atleast know where to go as far as solving the humidity issue. I have to work all day tommorow so monday will be the day i attempt the third feeding, crossing my fingers, i think if he eats i will be the happiest person in the world.

The towel will work. Wetting it will up the humidity in the room though not the tank. Give him a couple good sprays through out the day and cover the screen as much as possible.

if god is good, and he does end up eating when i try to feed him again on monday, do you think that he will be less agressive if i try and handle him a few days after he feeds? i havent really put my face up against the glass or fingers since a couple of days ago when he started showing agression.

He wasn't being aggressive he was being defensive. Since he's a baby and coming off of a huge stress bender. I would have him eat at least 3 consecutive meals. Yes thats 3 weeks! I always give little ones way more time to settle in. They stress so much more easily. Then after the good schedule of meals can you slowly start handling. Something we forget as humans is any reptile though they may tolerate us do not want playtime. There really is no need for it. Babies grow out of being defensive. But you are going to have to be VERY patient. You have all 20 something or more years with him. There's plenty of time for handling later. Get him eating regularly and try not to meddle too much with him. That tends to make things worse.

Just a bit of an observation. Even though you haven't been handling him; it sure seems like you have been doing a lot of messing around with his enclosure. Ie -- scaring him when you mist, putting cardboard on the top, taking off the cover and painting it, covering the sides. I would say all of this is definitely stressing him.

Having his humidity out of whack for a week or two really isn't going to have adverse effects in the long term scheme. The main thing is that he has a fresh bowl of water (and if the bowl is big enough you should only have to fill that once a week), and that the temps are acceptable. I would just chill out with all of the rest of the stuff until he gets a meal or two in. All of this other activity is just as stressful as handling him.

I know it's tough, but just take a deep breath and calm down. Try to do absolutely nothing but monitor temps for a week and then see if he eats.

And BTW -- he isn't scared by the sound of the spay bottle -- since he can't hear. He probably doensn't like the water being sprayed on/by him, and it is probably cold to him.

Good luck!

Those are great points. As I said sometimes meddling is even worse. Give him some time Frankie, low stress, don't do some things just to see how he'll react. Like dangling the mouse or pressing your hands up to the glass. Water should be nice and hot when you put it into the spray bottle. It will come out of the sprayer as a nice warm mist.

its been 6 days since last feeding attempt, and i was going to try again today, but given all thats been going on and moving the tank around and doing modifications and what not, im wondering if i should give him more time? Right now, since yesterday, hes just been keeping half his head outside of his cold side hide. Temps and humidity been fine. What should i do, should i try again or give him more time?

If it were me, I'd give him a full week of no handling, no cleaning and no messing with the enclosure. Provide fresh water, of course but otherwise leave him alone and let him get comfortable in his new home.

i can do that, except i mean, is it not a interruption when i spray down the tank three times a day? also to keep water in the bowl i still have to take the screen out, and pour the water in the bowl, and when i do either of these things he runs back in his hide, so i mean, unless i dont spray the tank down to keep the humidity at atleast 50% and refill his bowl every 3-4 days, there is no way i can go a week without some sort of interruption...?

You can do it when he is already in his hide. Or be extremely quiet about it. I only have to do my bowls 1x a week. Spraying can be done through the top or slide it just a bit to the side.

i know i should have waited a little longer, but tried again last night. Bought the mouse around 5pm and set him aside and waited until my BP came out of hiding, which was at around 8-9 o clock, dropped the mouse in, at first my BP did show some interest, but after a while just stood there. Eventually the mouse found his way to the top of his cold side hide, and just stood there perfectly still, eventually he found his way to my BP where he would stare at him flick his tongue once and in a while but did nothing. Well i wait about 20 minutes, until finally the mouse got to close to my BP's nose and he threw a DEFENSIVE strike, thats when i know it was over. So i took the mouse out and called it a day. Difference between this one and the last 2 attemps that i noticed was, he wasent freaked out. Before after the defensives strikes and what not, and i would take the mouse out he would go crazy and jet into his hide, this time after the defensive strike, i took the mouse out and he just kept like hanging out, very calmly.

Uhhh, dammit i was really hoping to get him to eat, but i guess i will try again next tuesday.

Obviously im not going to cry and whine and post every week on how he did;t take the mouse, so what i want to know is, when is it time to consider assist feed? Im going to buy a digital kitchen scale and monitor his weight, but is it even possible that the snake will refuse to eat and starve himself to death?!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS BABY!!!! he ate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i'am the RULER OF THE WORLLLDDD!!!!!!!

so happy, he fed!!!

ok im going to admit i cheated a little bit, (it was a ASF fuzzy not weaned yet) but i thru him in there, half hour later (BP was in the cold hide) i moved the fuzzy to the entrance, got a defensive strike then another strike and coil!!!!!! he just finished swallowing the fuzzy, im SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy!!! what a relief!!!!

I got a guy that has ASF's all day, if thats what i have to feed him then i dont care the extra money, its worth it for the peace of mind that he is eating!!!! Just put some pictures up on my gallery of the greatest moment in HISTORY! haha im just real happy...

:banana::banana::banana::banana:

Im so happy for you guys!

i havent been this happy for a longggggg time!!!! THIS is the reason why i decided to buy another pet/BP after so many years, YESSSSSS!!! IM AM THE MAN!!!!

man i was sleepy, its 1:16am i was getting ready to knock out and go to sleep, i have to work tommorrow, im so damn happy i cant fall asleep now! Hes roaming around like he wants more too, better believe next friday i will buying another ASF, maybe after a couple of feedings with ASF i will try and switch him to regular petland mice, but if not, i dont care spending the extra cash ill breed ASF if i have to! Im just happy to have a happy, eating BP!

Thank you all for your advice, and yes patience was the key, i never gave up.....

Congratulations!!! That's what up!

yes now, let see if next week hell take a regular mice, if not, i have no problem getting more ASF's, even if i have to travel farther and spend more money, its worth it, and im just glad hes eating.

Hes been in his hot side hide all day, the one with the UTH, digesting his lovely meal from yesterday, i got the UTH via dimmer at about 92 degrees says my PE2.

Im gonna feed him atleast 2 more times before i start to handle him again, i hope that "defensive" attitude hes has with me lately will be gone by then....

i havent been this happy for a longggggg time!!!! THIS is the reason why i decided to buy another pet/BP after so many years, YESSSSSS!!! IM AM THE MAN!!!!
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does everyone feed their snake in another enclosure? i feed all of my adults in their own enclosures except the babies but have no problem with aggressiveness nor picky eating from stress

I don't feed any one of mine in separate enclosures. And I actually don't recommend it to anyone buying a baby from me or anyone asking advice.

Well I am glad that your snake ate, but I am thinking that the reason your snake didn't show any interest before is because the food you gave them was too big. Sometimes snakes are pickey like that. Mine is an aggressive eater either way, but what I would recommend, as would most snake owners, is once they get bigger around (say inch and 3/4) I would switch them to frozen thawed. You may have to wiggle it a little in front of their faces after you warm them up under running hot water, but otherwise its usually the same feeding reaction for me between live and frozen. Also if that doesn't work you can try pre-killed. I personally havent dealt with that so I am not sure about it, but from what I understand some small family owned pet stores do pre-killed for their customers.

As for the environment, I think a UTH is just fine since bp's need the heat under their bellies to help them with their digestion. I also found a great deal for a lazer thermometer for $30 (with a coupon at a local hardware store) Which works absolute WONDERS!!! They are a great investment and you should totally have one. as for the bedding, I got rid of all of the bedding and just use newspaper as it makes it easier to clean and if I decide to be lazy and feed my bp in her enclosure I don't have to worry about her ingesting any of the substrait. Thats one of the BIG concerns for me ever feeding in the tank with substrait.

I agree with Yvonne.. Try offering him a mouse crawler/hopper next time. One that is absolutely no bigger around than your snake is. An adult mouse, or even a weaned juvie mouse is probably a bit too overwhelming for your new baby right now.

From the description you gave of how it fed, I have a feeling that it would be fairly simple to switch this snake to frozen thawed rodents that you just leave directly in front of the hide at night. I wouldn't attempt this until it has eaten at least a few more meals consistently for you but it would save you a lot if hassle in the long run.

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Originally Posted by Annie

Aarhhh! You're SO funny! I was laughing just picturing the snake jumping and taking off! You sure have got talent for writing!:D

BTW, if you have trouble keeping your enclosure warm enough, you could find something to close up the top of your aquarium. A scren top will let all the heat AND humidity escape as quick as you generate it.
When shedding time comes,you'll appreciate to be able to keep a higher level of humidity without too much trouble. ;)

Personally, I have a piece of Coroplast onto my screen top, with 2 shutter like flaps at one end, so I can regulate the humidity level, but anything sightier would do even better, like a piece of plastic film cut to size.


If that blue light is set on top of your screen, you might have to cut a hole in the plastic sheet and keep a 1in gap between the edge of the plastic film and the hot lamp. Or, if you close almost all your top screen, just leaving maybe 5% open for ventilation, you might find out that your UTH provides enough heat to maintain a proper T° level. And you wouldn't need to worry about the light stressing out your snake either. That's the option I'd try, personally. :)

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You dont have to use anything to cover the top of the tank with to keep heat inside. if you get a bottle or anything else plastic (or one of those rat/mice igloos) and put some spagnum (sp) moss in it and spray it on occasion it will be nice and humid in there for the snake when its shedding time.

And I have also read that If tHey eat dead mice it's also Hard to get there appetite to change to live mice so u might have checked if they fed it live or dead I'd advise feeding a real small Snake dead ones I have actually heard of the rats eating. The Snakes to:tears: