Everyone can chime in!

Evenstar, I had NO IDEA I wasn't supposed to handle her. I'd never read that, and I researched like a FIEND with Banana. She never hissed, struck or anything. She's just unball and wrap herself around my wrist, explore my rings, and sometimes examine my glasses. Very carefully. She seems like a strong little girl too - she can extend her baby neck about 8 inches if my hair is fascinating enough to her.

Jerry and I are taking a trip to the pet store today - PetSmart - we'll see what their prices on UTH's are, and if they're more than that of Pet Mountain (plus shipping) we'll order online ;)

Hello from the other side of NC, and :welcome: to BP.net.
As others have said, don't soak or bathe your snake when they are in shed. It can cause a bad or stuck shed because it robs their skin of essential oils that are used in the shedding process.
Don't worry too much about the lack of poop. They will pass urates more frequently than feces, especially in younger snakes, because they are processing more of the prey for growth. My BP's feed/poop schedule usually averages about 3 in/1 out. And it is also not uncommon for them to hang on to it longer if they have an approaching shed. Then, in addition to a nice shed skin, they will leave you a giant Poozilla to clean up.
I also suggest keeping records on your snake. You can use online websites like iHerp or just make up your own charts where you can keep track of feedings, poops, sheds, growth, etc...

A Banana Update:

Thank you all for the advice!

Jerry and I went shopping for the little thing. We bought 100% pure cypress mulch, a UTC, and a new hide - I'm weak, it was cute. Besides, it's much more her size. She can use the current hide we have there now once she grows a bit more.

I'll wait until it gets darker here to change her house up some.

She hasn't been bathed - some have inquired ;) I'm just letting her do her own shed thing, and she'll have a fabulously remodeled home this evening.

What's up Moorehead City! Yep, the other side :)

I also suggest a plug in lamp dimmer temporarily until you get a thermostat for that UTH...you can buy them at Home Depot or Lowes for like $10 or less...the UTH needs to me controlled otherwise you risk burning Banana. My small UTH exceeds 130 degrees without a thermotstat...

A thermostat.... for the UTH... Um... Do I just ask for a generic thermostat? Do I plug the thermostat into the power strip then plug the UTH into the thermostat?

I'm confused - please talk to me like I'm an idiot - I don't mind - it actually helps.

Sorry! I forget that it's confusing when your first starting out :oops:

A UTH thermotsat is most likely something you'll have to buy online. I can list a bunch of the main used ones, but this one is good for if you have a budget, and it's free shipping. It's one of the only "cheap" thermostats I would ever recommend, and I do use them.

Hydrofarm

But, if you get the plug-in lamp dimmer, they have them for $10 at Home Depot, in the lamps section...

I know it's a lot of info to take in all at once, but I promise once you get everything you need it will become second nature. Just try not to get overwhelmed...if you ever need help you can PM me, and I'm sure others wouldn't mind if you PMed them as well.

Thanks Gray :)

She will be monitored tonight well with her new UTH - I'll check out the online thing too. The dimmer doesn't sound like a bad idea either!

Oh I'm so excited! I hope she likes her Cypress bed.

Second update:

The UTH is her new happy spot. Paper towels on the glass first (since I have no regulator yet) then followed with Cypress Mulch.

Her humidity is now at 80%!!! Woohoo!!!!! Thank you cypress!

Also, thank you members :)

She is warm and very humid. Hopefully her shed will go well.

When we redid her home tonight with all of the new stuff, I had to handle her, even though she's still in blue. Talk about friendly. We had some soup going in in the kitchen - horribly hot and humid. Banana and I chilled there while Jerry cleaned and redid her house (we took turns hugging on her). She was SO curious - OMG, I thought she was going to reach for the baker's rack once! Other than the baker's, it was mostly my hair.

Again - your advice and suggestions are so appreciated. She's curled into a little impossible looking ball, cozy on her UTH with her new cypress.