Bought my first Ball Python!

I finally have a ball python to call my own :) My girlfriend works at a new Petco, which just opened this week. The snakes didn't come in until yesterday and she immediately called me and told me they received several BP's. On top of that, they were on sale for $29.99!!! To top that off though, I receive 25% off with her discount so I got a 6 week old BP for only $22.49 :)

I already had a 30x12x12 aquarium and the other stuff I needed, besides a hide out and heat pad. A couple of years ago I watched my brothers Columbian Redtail Boa for about 9 months, so this is not my first time around snakes.

Anyways, I have done plenty of research before I ever purchased a snake, and the only thing that troubled me was hearing all of the horror stories about how people cannot get their baby pythons to eat mice. Regardless, I bought one.

So tonight, I bought a good sized mouse so I could begin training him to eat. I thawed it out, and warmed it up with the hairdryer a little bit, put it in the aquarium and left. I came back 30 mins later and the mouse was gone :D

I was so excited that Monty at the 2nd night here. I don't have any pictures at the moment, but my camera is on charge so I can post a couple tomorrow sometime.

I'm not sure if it is a boy or girl yet. I will probably take it to a vet in a couple weeks.

I'm very exicted to join this place in owning a BP

-David

Congratulations!!

What temps are you keeping him at? Do you have a thermostat for regulating the heat pad?

You fed it a "good sized" mouse, how big was it? Most people feed 6 week old BP's hopper mice. How big around was it compared to the snake, did you notice a sizeable lump after eating?

Normally people give their snake a week to settle in before feeding, but he ate, and it is done, so I wouldnt worry. Make sure not to handle him for 48 hours after feeding.

Make sure you read the caresheet here and have everything up to spec :)


Exciting times! woo :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SnakeySnakeSnake

Congratulations!!

What temps are you keeping him at? Do you have a thermostat for regulating the heat pad?

You fed it a "good sized" mouse, how big was it? Most people feed 6 week old BP's hopper mice. How big around was it compared to the snake, did you notice a sizeable lump after eating?

Normally people give their snake a week to settle in before feeding, but he ate, and it is done, so I wouldnt worry. Make sure not to handle him for 48 hours after feeding.

Make sure you read the caresheet here and have everything up to spec :)


Exciting times! woo :)

---

The cool side is at 78-80, and the warm side is 90-91. I will be purchasing a thermostat after work tomrrow.

He seemed very comfortable already. He was never really balled up and is very friendly and relaxed. I asked the person in charge of that section if it would be a problem to try to feed him this early, and he said not, but he probably won't take it for a couple weeks. I also read on several websites that it doesn't really hurt to feed them that early. So I went for it :)

I just read the caresheet on this website and is actually very similar to the one they gave me at Petco. They sure did go fast at the price though.

The mouse was just about as big, maybe slightly larger then the largest part of the snake. There isn't a massive lump, I wasn't sure he ate the mouse at first.

:welcome:

Remember no handling for at least 48 hours, and I'd recommend bumping up those cool side temps a bit. Preferably nothing below 80. ;) Make sure there isn't any real open areas in the cage, as this will stress your youngster in such a large cage. Lots of hides and foliage will make it more secure. Congrats on your bp!! They're wonderful animals. I would recommend the vet trip. A clean bill of health is a wonderful asset. Best of luck with the little guy.

Thanks for moving this Tigerlily (I think)

If you need a thread moved, just ask a mod or admin. We'll be more than happy to help ya out. ;)

Alright, thanks. I'm used to being able to delete the thread and just open a new one.

I hope these 48 hours go fast :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zreon

Thanks for moving this Tigerlily (I think)

---

You're very welcome. :banana:

One thing I have noticed is she yawns quite a bit. Not so much today, but yesterday when I brought her home, she probably yawned 6-8 times in a couple hours.

I'm sure she had a long day, since she just got shipped into the store that morning, was put into a new home, held by many different people, purchased by me, then put into another home. I guess I would be pretty tired too :)

I've just never seen this on another snake. I never say my brothers boa yawn once for the 9 months I watched her.

Some yawn some dont, Ive not heard of it being an issue so I wouldnt worry, just try to snap some pics of it! those are cool hehe