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Ball python Very Active

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  • 06-29-2010, 12:14 PM
    xphoenix23
    Ball python Very Active
    i have a ball python and its really weird she is not in her hide shes wondering around in her enclosure im wondering is she hungry i tried to feed her a pinkie 2 days ago and she wasn't interested should i try today?
  • 06-29-2010, 12:16 PM
    stratus_020202
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Is she a new baby? How long have you had her? I wouldn't give her two more days and then try. I would not do the pinkie thing though. Try a mouse hopper is she is a small young one. How big is she?
  • 06-29-2010, 12:16 PM
    5snakes
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    sometimes in the summer they become way more active than in winter or other seasons. how long have you hade your snake? Maybe she needs some type of larger prey
  • 06-29-2010, 12:21 PM
    snakesRkewl
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Need lots more info and pics if you have it.
    Temperatures and how you heat your snakes home?

    Roaming occasionally is normal, roaming alot during the day can be several things.
    Too hot
    Not comfortable IE: hide is inadequate in size or tank is too exposed to foot traffic.
    Hungry - IE: pinkies are too small and too inactive usually for even baby balls, I start babies on asf/mouse hoppers and quickly switch to rat fuzzies and on up, mine never see a pinky.
  • 06-29-2010, 12:31 PM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    she is 3 months old the temps in her tank is 85 degrees i had her for 2 weeks she hasn't ate ever since i got her
  • 06-29-2010, 12:34 PM
    stratus_020202
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Well, she needs a hot side, and a cool side. She needs one side to be between 90-92 and the other 80-82. She is probably cold. How are you measuring her temps? What is her humidity? She needs an under tank heater to warm her up and a thermostat to control it. She should also have two hides. One for hot, one for cold.

    How big is her enclosure?
  • 06-29-2010, 12:35 PM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    i do have to hides one on cool end and one on the warm end i have a under tank heater under her hide that's pretty warm i think about 90 also have a water bowl i forgot how big is her enclosure its a bin though
  • 06-29-2010, 12:42 PM
    stratus_020202
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Ok. That's good. You need to measure that heat pad though. They can spike over 100 degrees and that is very harmful to you baby.

    Hmm. A bin? Maybe it is too big. If he is a hatchline a 42 qt tub is a little large. Did you try putting some plants and things in their to crowd it up? Maybe try that. If you change her home, she needs one week to get used it, and then try to feed her again. A mouse hopper this time.
  • 06-29-2010, 12:48 PM
    snakesRkewl
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by xphoenix23 View Post
    i do have to hides one on cool end and one on the warm end i have a under tank heater under her hide that's pretty warm i think about 90 also have a water bowl i forgot how big is her enclosure its a bin though

    You need to know the temps not think you know.
    Do you have your under tank heater on a thermostat?
    Do you have a probed thermometer to check your UTH temperature?

    15 qt tub is perfect for 3 month old babies.
  • 06-29-2010, 12:49 PM
    WingedWolfPsion
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Constant roaming combined with failure to eat = something is wrong with the habitat.

    The snake is trying to escape to a more desirable location. It is not happy where it is right now, and doesn't feel comfortable, so it's trying to move.
  • 06-29-2010, 01:20 PM
    yeti2k3
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    My new ball has been doing this in the evening for the past couple days... Just got him sunday though. Plus he hides pretty much all day and then just roams around at night. Pretty sure mines hungry but i have not attempted to feed him till this weekend coming up. By then he should be settled in.
  • 06-29-2010, 01:30 PM
    hunter94
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    How many hides do you have and are they half logs? Also what kind of bedding are you using?
  • 06-29-2010, 02:45 PM
    WingedWolfPsion
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Some roaming during the night is normal--roaming constantly both day and night is not.
  • 06-30-2010, 12:43 AM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    well she is on aspen i got the humidity good its at 70 and tried to feed her the Hooper mice i bought and she didn't eat again i got tongs and dangled the mouse and it didn't work ill try again tomorrow if she doesn't take it ill wait another week to feed any more suggestions ?
  • 06-30-2010, 11:48 AM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    any help?
  • 06-30-2010, 12:12 PM
    snakesRkewl
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    I previously asked...

    Do you have your under tank heater on a thermostat?
    you mention:i have a under tank heater under her hide that's pretty warm i think about 90

    Which is why I asked this.

    Do you have a probed thermometer to check your UTH temperature so you KNOW what the UTH temp is.
  • 06-30-2010, 12:34 PM
    Savage420Siege
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Sounds like your snake is not comfortable with one or more elements of her environment. Here are some things to check/try. Most of these have been mentioned in this thread so far, all are important and all should be followed.

    - Enclosure should be proper size for your snake. Couple of rules of thumb for this: enclosure length is 2/3 the length of your snake, or length + width of enclosure = snake length
    - Plenty of security (Hides and cover/plants) Hides should be small enough the snake has to squeeze into them with only one entrance. Open or half logs are not adequate.
    - One hide in each end (hot and cold), hides are identical so snake will feel secure in both and not choose security over temperature preference
    - Hot side: 90-95
    - Cold Side 80-85
    - Ambient air temperature 80-85
    - Humidity around 60 percent, slightly higher when in shed
    - Enclosure should be in a low traffic/noise area
    - Heating devices must be controlled by a thermostat to avoid extreme temps

    I recommend you follow these guidelines, change your setup as required. You will need to give your snake about a week to settle into it's newly improved environment. Do not handle the snake during this time and I recommend you also do not handle it until she is feeding for you (at least twice) Do not handle until 48 hours after a meal.

    Now, when it is time to feed (one week after changes) try the following:

    Get a live hopper mouse/rat which is the same girth as the largest part of your snakes body and/or 10-15% the snakes body weight. Whether or not the snake is in hide or not: remove the hide that is furthest from your snake or the one it is not in. Place the live hopper on the side with no hide. Leave it in there and supervise the activity for 10-15 min. If snake has not taken prey pick it up with tongs by the scruff of neck and dance it around in front of snake. If still no action try again a few days later. There are many different things to try at this stage if it will not eat. Keep us updated.

    I know this seams overwhelming but it will be worth it in the end. Do not panic if snake refuses a few more meals. Some pictures of your snake would be helpful to see length and body mass.

    Hope you find this helpful.
  • 06-30-2010, 12:52 PM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
  • 06-30-2010, 12:55 PM
    snakesRkewl
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Those pretty little frisbees are useless for the most part.
    They wont tell you the temperature that the snake lays on, and that's very important.
    You need a probed thermometer to do that.

    Do you have a thermostat that your UTH is plugged into?
  • 06-30-2010, 12:58 PM
    stratus_020202
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Well, it looks ok. Those type of thermometers are not very accurate tho. I would get a digital. The hides look kind of huge. Go to walmart and get some tupperware bowls that look like she can barely fit in them. They like to be squished. I would also get two identical hides. Then she won't have to choose her favorite.

    The tub might be a little big for her. Try and get some plants and things to crowd it a little. And get an accuate reading from your UTH. You could wake up one morning with a burned snake if you don't control it. Good luck!
  • 06-30-2010, 12:59 PM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by snakesRkewl View Post
    Those pretty little frisbees are useless for the most part.
    They wont tell you the temperature that the snake lays on, and that's very important.
    You need a probed thermometer to do that.

    Do you have a thermostat that your UTH is plugged into?

    im looking to buy the Acu-Rite Digital Thermometer that someone recommended at Loews Friday
  • 06-30-2010, 01:01 PM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
  • 06-30-2010, 01:01 PM
    snakesRkewl
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by xphoenix23 View Post
    im looking to buy the Acu-Rite Digital Thermometer that someone recommended at Loews Friday

    Excellent, now how about that THERMOSTAT? lol

    your not answering my question :P
  • 06-30-2010, 01:04 PM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by snakesRkewl View Post
    Excellent, now how about that THERMOSTAT? lol

    your not answering my question :P

    lol do you mean the heat mat?:confused:
    i do have it under her hide
  • 06-30-2010, 01:06 PM
    snakesRkewl
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by xphoenix23 View Post
    lol do you mean the heat mat?:confused:

    yes, is it plugged into a thermostat to regulate its temperature?
    If not it could be WAY too hot and a big reason your snake is restless.

    I've checked 16 watt Zoo-Med heat pads to 118+ degrees plugged straight into the wall.
    11inch Flexwatt can get to 130+ degrees unregulated.
  • 06-30-2010, 01:11 PM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    no there isn't i put a lot of bedding under the heat mat
  • 06-30-2010, 01:16 PM
    Savage420Siege
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    What SnakesRkewl is trying to ask you is: Is your under tank heater plugged directly into the wall, or do you have it attatched to a thermostat? A thermostat is a device which will give proportional power to your Under Tank Heater, controlling the temperature on the floor of your enclosure. It is triggered by a temperature probe which is placed under your substrate inside the tank. You must have one so that the under tank heater does not reach high tmperatures and burn your snake. If the temperature of the substrates surface is 95 but the temperature of the bottom of the tub is 110, your snake could burrow into the bedding and get burnt.

    Your snake is about the same age and size as mine. Follow my earlier suggestions and see if that helps.
  • 06-30-2010, 01:21 PM
    Kaorte
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by xphoenix23 View Post
    no there isn't i put a lot of bedding under the heat mat

    The bedding will not be enough. They can easily move the substrate out of the way and lay directly on the surface of the tub. If left like this too long they WILL be burned.

    Do yourself a favor and find $25 and make a trip to the home depot. Pick up a piggy back lamp dimmer and an accurite weather station.

    Also, a smaller tub wouldn't hurt. I would suggest a 15qt tub for a snake that size. You really only need enough room for two hides and a water bowl. They don't need any floor space to "lay out" on. They would rather spend all of their time hiding.
  • 06-30-2010, 01:23 PM
    Kaorte
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Savage420Siege View Post
    What SnakesRkewl is trying to ask you is: Is your under tank heater plugged directly into the wall, or do you have it attatched to a thermostat? A thermostat is a device which will give proportional power to your Under Tank Heater, controlling the temperature on the floor of your enclosure. It is triggered by a temperature probe which is placed under your substrate inside the tank. You must have one so that the under tank heater does not reach high tmperatures and burn your snake. If the temperature of the substrates surface is 95 but the temperature of the bottom of the tub is 110, your snake could burrow into the bedding and get burnt.

    Your snake is about the same age and size as mine. Follow my earlier suggestions and see if that helps.

    Actually it is best to put the probe OUTSIDE the enclosure right on the heat source. This prevents the snake from moving the probe or peeing all over it and shorting it out. If the snake were to move the probe, the thermostat would crank up the heat.
  • 06-30-2010, 01:26 PM
    stratus_020202
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    She also looks like she is at the end of a shed cycle. Did her eyes become faded recently? I would lightly mist her enclosure and let her be until she finishes shedding. If she is in a shed cycle that is another reason she's not eating. Look at her belly too, if it's pink that would be the beginning of the cycle.
  • 06-30-2010, 01:27 PM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Kaorte View Post
    The bedding will not be enough. They can easily move the substrate out of the way and lay directly on the surface of the tub. If left like this too long they WILL be burned.

    Do yourself a favor and find $25 and make a trip to the home depot. Pick up a piggy back lamp dimmer and an accurite weather station.

    Also, a smaller tub wouldn't hurt. I would suggest a 15qt tub for a snake that size. You really only need enough room for two hides and a water bowl. They don't need any floor space to "lay out" on. They would rather spend all of their time hiding.

    hey im looking them up on home depot and cant find what it is can you help me ?
  • 06-30-2010, 01:28 PM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by stratus_020202 View Post
    She also looks like she is at the end of a shed cycle. Did her eyes become faded recently? I would lightly mist her enclosure and let her be until she finishes shedding. If she is in a shed cycle that is another reason she's not eating. Look at her belly too, if it's pink that would be the beginning of the cycle.

    when i got her she wasn't into shed her belly is getting slightly pink
  • 06-30-2010, 01:28 PM
    stratus_020202
    Re: Ball python Very Active
  • 06-30-2010, 01:30 PM
    stratus_020202
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by xphoenix23 View Post
    when i got her she wasn't into shed her belly is getting slightly pink

    Yeah, I thought she looked like she was in one of the phases. Just watch her, she'll get a blue hue to her in a few days, then turn clear again and she will shed shortly after that. I don't think I would feed her while she's shedding. The less stress the better :) Some will eat and some won't, but with her new surroundings, I think I would wait.
  • 06-30-2010, 01:41 PM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
  • 06-30-2010, 01:44 PM
    stratus_020202
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    I can't really tell. You'll just have to see in the next few days. Sometimes they will get cranky during shed. It gets hard for them to see. She looks like she has some stuck shed on her neck though. A damp cloth should take that off easily.
  • 06-30-2010, 01:46 PM
    Kaorte
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by xphoenix23 View Post
    hey im looking them up on home depot and cant find what it is can you help me ?

    The accurite is not on the website but it looks like this:
    http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/...a10ed84f_b.jpg
    You should be able to find it in the gardening/outdoor section. Ask an employee if you can't find it

    Here is the dimmer: http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-...atalogId=10053
  • 06-30-2010, 01:51 PM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Kaorte View Post
    The accurite is not on the website but it looks like this:
    http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/...a10ed84f_b.jpg
    You should be able to find it in the gardening/outdoor section. Ask an employee if you can't find it

    Here is the dimmer: http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-...atalogId=10053

    yea i saw the accurite on Loews and will pick up the dimmer at home depot
  • 06-30-2010, 04:09 PM
    dr del
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Hi,

    You also need to replace that hide covered in tape before the accident.

    You can use upturned plant pot saucers with holes cut in them for nice secure dark hides. :)



    dr del
  • 07-01-2010, 06:54 AM
    theartofsolitude
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    plus snakes that are not used with their enclosure tends to move a lot as if they are trying to escape in every possible way lol
  • 07-05-2010, 05:20 PM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    hey guys over the weekend got the accurite at walmart for $12 also bought fake plants here the setup now is the temps to high ?

    http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/5480/dsci0001r.jpg

    http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/7947/dsci0003r.jpg

    http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1069/dsci0004w.jpg
  • 07-05-2010, 05:33 PM
    Kaorte
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Looks good, but click the temp/clock button so the top reading shows the "in" temperature rather then the time.
  • 07-05-2010, 05:53 PM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Kaorte View Post
    Looks good, but click the temp/clock button so the top reading shows the "in" temperature rather then the time.

    so the in temps means in the setup and the out means out? right
  • 07-05-2010, 05:54 PM
    Kaorte
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    In is measured at the unit. Out is measured at the probe. Humidity is also measured at the unit.
  • 07-05-2010, 10:39 PM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    so every thing is good
  • 07-05-2010, 10:50 PM
    chris4554
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Where do you have the probe?
  • 07-05-2010, 11:08 PM
    SDballp
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1.../tempthing.jpg

    these are the three numbers you want to watch on a constant basis.. i face mine outward so i can just glance at it anytime i happen to be passing buy

    -probe temp should NEVER reach anywhere close to 100 degrees it can burn ur snake
    -inside temp should be around 75-85 depending on time of day
    -inside humidity should be around 50-60%


    * i know urs isnt a glass set up but this is still a good read to learn more about your snakes home !
    http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56846


    **edit** my probe temp sits around 89-93 at all times
  • 07-05-2010, 11:44 PM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    what im hoping is i hope she eats
  • 07-06-2010, 03:26 AM
    hunter94
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by xphoenix23 View Post
    what im hoping is i hope she eats

    Are you feeding Live, Prekilled or F/T? Also how long do you leave the prey in the enclosure for? And do you feed her in her "Home" or in a Separate container?
  • 07-06-2010, 11:50 AM
    xphoenix23
    Re: Ball python Very Active
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by hunter94 View Post
    Are you feeding Live, Prekilled or F/T? Also how long do you leave the prey in the enclosure for? And do you feed her in her "Home" or in a Separate container?

    i feed her live ive tried pinkies and hopper i tried in a separate container and also in her enclosure still nothing what i was told from the guy i bought her from that next time force feed her a pre killed hopper
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