I think my python is retarded...

well for some history about him, I bought him from a petco in California and the reason I got him was because he was the only one not curled up in a little ball scared to death... but he also wasn't head shy and was very social, any-who this picture was taken about an hour after he ate :crying:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11...e/P8280030.jpg

Just some advice! You need better hides! Two hides the same and they need to have one small opening that the snake barely fits in. The half logs suck for balls! Here is an idea of what to use - http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/reptile_cave.php

I don't really have enough money to buy new hides for him and he doesn't seem stressed

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Originally Posted by JUNKyardHOE

I don't really have enough money to buy new hides for him and he doesn't seem stressed

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You can buy a 3 pack of plastic cereal bowls at The Dollar Tree, and turn them into proper hides. That's just $.33 a hide. Solder out an entrance and you're golden!

unfortunately I don't have a soldering iron but I could reorient that hide so it's more enclosed like the hide on the left
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11...e/P8280032.jpg

Those log hides have to go like stated. Their best used with rodents for chewing. Just get the dollar store bowls and use scissors to cut a opening on each one and your all sen.

The way you have the left hide isn't too bad! It is better than leaving it open! You can also use a knife to cut a hole then sand the edges or burn them with a lighter to make the hides! Also you should cover the back and sides! He may not act stressed but doesn't mean he isn't!

He actually seems pretty good size for the half logs. If you want to, you could get like black construction paper, cut it to fit the front of the half log and make a little entrance way. I've seen someone else do it for when they couldn't afford new hides. also, you might want to cover up the sides and the back of the tank with a black construction paper, or cork board for added insulation.

Edit: And every BP is different. I didn't think my BP was the sharpest crayon in the box, til I fixed her husbandry :)

I honestly think that the hide on the left side of the tank is perfectly fine it's blocked on one side with rocks and covered on the other with a plant... the other one however I admit needs to be replaced as Faffy can't even fit under it without it raising off the ground and I have tried to ghetto rig it so that it sort of works but he is big boned and it just needs to be replaced... however I think that a plastic cereal bowl will be too small for him

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Originally Posted by JUNKyardHOE

I honestly think that the hide on the left side of the tank is perfectly fine it's blocked on one side with rocks and covered on the other with a plant... the other one however I admit needs to be replaced as Faffy can't even fit under it without it raising off the ground and I have tried to ghetto rig it so that it sort of works but he is big boned and it just needs to be replaced... however I think that a plastic cereal bowl will be too small for him

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My snakes love their exo-terra cave hides... but if you want something a bit cheaper, try these: https://www.reptilebasics.com/Hide-Boxes-p-1-c-282.html I just ordered a few for my new babies, and can't wait to see how they work out!

Has anyone ever asked their BP if they dont like the log hides?? And if so did the snake tell you they didnt like them??LOL Anyways I usually use a cardboard box, or a clay flower pot with a hole in the bottom big enough for them to crawl into, but I am sure that is BAD too...:P

ok I just found the perfect thing to use... and the best part is I already own it lol, it's an old garbage can for in the car and all it needs is a little modification :)

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Originally Posted by BiggBaddWolf

Has anyone ever asked their BP if they dont like the log hides?? And if so did the snake tell you they didnt like them??LOL Anyways I usually use a cardboard box, or a clay flower pot with a hole in the bottom big enough for them to crawl into, but I am sure that is BAD too...:P

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Well, since snakes can't talk to us, the only way we know whether they are "happy" or not is by their actions. I think it's safe to say that when your ball python would rather be outside of its hide, in the open, rather than be under it, it's safe to say it doesn't like it.

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Originally Posted by JUNKyardHOE

ok I just found the perfect thing to use... and the best part is I already own it lol, it's an old garbage can for in the car and all it needs is a little modification :)

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Sweet... way to be resourceful. :gj:

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

My snakes love their exo-terra cave hides... but if you want something a bit cheaper, try these: https://www.reptilebasics.com/Hide-Boxes-p-1-c-282.html I just ordered a few for my new babies, and can't wait to see how they work out!

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Those are the ones I use, but there isnt a nice "in between" sizes from the small to the medium hides. I bough mine 4 medium and one small to check it out. Never got to used the small because it was too small for my hatchlings at 3-4 month old. And the medium were a bit too big, but they have grown some more and they seem fine now.

I like them though, they are dark, nice and simple, easy to clean. Happy Snake :snake:

Dont really know the antics of your snake, but my girl used to come out all the time from her hide and then I discovered I wasnt feeding her enough. She also displayed some "hungry" actions like the s curve and just the way she looked. But like other people said, your hides might be a problem. I was just giving you another option :)

Has no one else really noticed this? o.O. . . . .

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Well for some history about him, I bought him from a petco in California and the reason I got him was because he was the only one not curled up in a little ball scared to death... But he also wasn't head shy and was very social, any-who this picture was taken about an hour after he ate

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Ok #1, NEVER buy pets from Petco. That company does not know how to take care of their animals and 90% of the time any animal you buy from there will be sick.

#2, them being coiled up in a ball does not mean they are scared. Actually the opposite. A happy BP will curl up in a ball and stay hidden. It's their nature. So, thinking outside of the box, maybe you're BP could be sick? Not to scare you, it could be as simple as a stressed pet. Simple, but still dangerous. The fact that you pointed out that he was the only one running about the cage suggests he was stressed when you bought him as well.

My suggestions are to definitely cover the sides of your tank with something. I used cardboard for a while, it does not have to be dark, just so the sides and backing are covered. As far as hides, I use the bottom half of a Ritz box for my snakes. Easy, and gives me a snack while i'm cleaning their cages. Really they need something to hide under and feel secure. Check your temperatures and humidity, make sure they are correct. That could be another reason your snake is out of the hide.

When you feel you have more money, go to the dollar store and buy some of the vines they have there. Disinfect them first of course, then drape them over the hides, in front of the hides, all over the cage. The more secluded your snake can be, the happier.

Don't be afraid if your snake does not move about all the time. They usually don't.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your new snake.

*Edit*

You're bedding looks pretty saturated. Make sure it is not damp. This can lead to scale rot!

This thread is being temporarily locked while the Off Topic posts are split.

Thread re-opened and the off topic discussion continues in Quarantine. If you do not have access to QT, PM myself or another admin (name in red) to request access.

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Originally Posted by JUNKyardHOE

unfortunately I don't have a soldering iron but I could reorient that hide so it's more enclosed like the hide on the left

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Just as an FYI, I got my solder wand at Walmart for $5 ;)

thanks for splitting the off topic stuff :)

and here is the new hide... I think he likes it
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11...e/P8290031.jpg

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Originally Posted by JUNKyardHOE

thanks for splitting the off topic stuff :)

and here is the new hide... I think he likes it
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11...e/P8290031.jpg

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Looks like he likes it!

Perfect. Couldn't have done it better myself. Great job. Looks like he is settling in nicely.

Hee hee, awesome!!! He's so cute under that little thing! :D

Nice hide and beutiful snake.Reminds me of my bp(Neo) peeking outta his hide.
My bps usually come out 30 min before my timer cuts off the light and are active during my sleeping hours. Other than that they are in their hides.

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Originally Posted by JUNKyardHOE

I don't really have enough money to buy new hides for him and he doesn't seem stressed

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Statements like this always scare me.

what part of that statement scares you?

I am not the poster that stated the "scared" part but I know exactly what he/she is saying. This is not a personal attack just something for you and any other person needs to honastly think about before buying any pet. You stated you did not have the extra money to buy new hides. This statement show everyone that you are not financially stable and can not provide the basics that your snake might need. What happens if your thermostat goes out(that is if you have a thermostat). What happens when your snake gets sisck and you have to take it to the vet. The answer is that you wont take it to the vet because you yourself stated that you did not have the $10 it requires to purchase the hides.
I am not trying to be hard on you but you should not purchase animals if you can not provide for them and this includes emergency situations like vet visits. On a side note good job with that new hide. Todd

I am by no means financially unstable... and I have money set aside for "emergencies" but I don't think that buying two new hides is an emergency my BP is doing fine with the hides he has especially now that I made his new one.