Unusual Activity?

My ball python's been active(climbing the sides of the tank, entering and exiting his hides repeatedly, and excessively flicking his tongue) almost all day for the past 2 days, whereas usually he's active only at night. Is he hungry, looking for food or something? If so, should I feed him early?

I would offer food to him.

So it's not bad to go off schedule? Alright, then. Thanks.

I would check your temperatures first, both hot side, cold side and ambient. if you're worried about unusual behavior, I'd look to husbandry first.

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Originally Posted by wwmjkd

I would check your temperatures first, both hot side, cold side and ambient. if you're worried about unusual behavior, I'd look to husbandry first.

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I wouldn't worry about this since he's maintained proper eating habits, health, normal shedding, and a set behavior ever since I picked him up at the end of July. I'll post my setup and temps anyway since you suggested it...

-3 month old ball python, about 21-22 inches
-Unable to weigh right now as I lack a sensitive scale

-10 gal glass tank (have a 30 gal tank but need a custom lid for it) w/ screen lid
-heat mat on the underside for warm end, infrared heat lamp above the tank for ambient
-substrate is 1/2 inch depth of aspen shavings, with a single layer of paper towels beneath that to prevent burns if he decides to burrow
-yes, the sides and back are blacked out
-2 hides, constructed out of old trading card boxes - one on the cool end, the other directly above the heating pad
-a small rock
-a branch
-a 4-inch diameter water dish, water depth at 1 1/2 inches

-50-60% daytime humidity, 60-70% at night
-cool end is about 80
-ambient is 85
-warm end is 90

As far as I know, I have everything set up as best as you can for a glass tank setup. Oh, and I feed him a fuzzy(typically of 1 inch girth) every Monday.

If your setup is as good as you are describing and everything is as you say, then you can easily change to a 5 day feeding schedule as opposed to the 7 day. I feed every 5 days for my little ones, and since fuzzies (rat I'm hoping?) are so small, changing to a 5 day schedule will make him "empty" less time, which could be the cause of the roaming.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

If your setup is as good as you are describing and everything is as you say, then you can easily change to a 5 day feeding schedule as opposed to the 7 day. I feed every 5 days for my little ones, and since fuzzies (rat I'm hoping?) are so small, changing to a 5 day schedule will make him "empty" less time, which could be the cause of the roaming.

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Alright, I'll try this. From what you people have told me, he just seems to be hungry. I'll start feeding him on a 5 day schedule. I'll drop back to the weekly schedule if he starts to get noticeably fat with visible skin between scales, though.

I keep to a 5 day feeding schedule up until about 400-500 grams...and have yet to have an overweight snake :) you are referring to rat fuzzies right?

No, I feed mice... Should I be feeding small rats already? If that's the case, can I just feed him larger mice?
I still have a punch card to use up at the Petland by my house, and I don't want to waste my money.

Nevermind, I was misinformed and using the wrong term. I think I'm feeding him "crawlers," they're 2-3 inches long, excluding the tail.

Well from what you've described, she actually seems bigger than my 2011 female who's already pounding f/t rat fuzzies...I'd say she can easily start on rats. In my own experience they seem to keep them fuller longer, and I try to convert them as soon as possible. Try and get her weight or post a picture and we can let you know if you are feeding the correct size.

I would switch to rats much more nutritional value. I think most would agree on here that rats are the way to go. I feed my little one 20ish gram rat pinks every 5 days and she is doing phenominal.

Darnit! LGray beat me. :(


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I don't have a camera, or a scale, but I'll consider that. Anyway, my question was ignored. Can I just feed him more when it's time to feed? Or, say, a day later feed again? I want to use up my punch-card for mouse purchases.

Yes, but I wouldn't feed any sooner than 3-4 days after the last feeding.

Alright, that solves my problem. Again, thanks.

I had an issue with some mice i ordered being too small for my big girl.. She needed 6 a week. Was a giant pain so i fed 2 every day for 3 days... Then started the 7 day cycle based on the first feeding day.. Did that for over a month before getting larger mice

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Originally Posted by Simplex

I had an issue with some mice i ordered being too small for my big girl.. She needed 6 a week. Was a giant pain so i fed 2 every day for 3 days... Then started the 7 day cycle based on the first feeding day.. Did that for over a month before getting larger mice

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Good frickin' lord man, that's... a lot of mice to feed to one animal.