Moving around too much?

Alright, so I got my first BP yesterday, and he has been sitting in the hide most of the time. But for the past hour (it's 10:30pm now) he's been very active. Is this normal in baby ball pythons? My temperatures are fine (80-82 coolside 87-92 hotside 51-56% humidity). He has two identical hides, the smalls from RBI. I dont know what I'm doing! Anyone ease this new owner's troubled mind?

When did it last eat? My first thought was either just normal night time activity or maybe hungry.

I don't know, I haven't fed it yet. It got here yesterday. I don't want to put food in there yet.

if i where you id feed within the next 3 to 4 days, he seems very active and he might have just ate, bps move more when they don't eat (SOMETIMESS) i wouldn't handle her for the next day or two just in case she does regurgeitate her food. hope this helps :)

my bp sleeps all day then moves from like 11pm-5am

Why the range of temps on the hot side?

What are you checking your temperatures with? (thermometer on tank wall, strip thermometer, digital probe thermometer, IR temp gun, etc.)

What are you using for a heat source? (lamps, uth, both, room heater)

You will find your bp will have a time frame it will usually come out and explore if it has not just eaten each night. Usually after eating they will stay put for a day or two. Its normal.

What worries me is the hot side getting to 92. If that is the hotspot temp only it is fine. However, if that is the ambient temp I can guarantee you the surface temps way to hot. In most cases when you have a hotspot on the surface of 90 the ambient temp will be around 80.

Let us know more info so we can better help you.

Your BP sounds completely normal. No good breeder (or pet owner) would have fed her right before shipping, so she probably is a little hungry. There is no harm in waiting a couple of days to feed so she can settle in, though, if that makes you more comfortable. As long as you aren't measuring your temps with stick-on analogs, your setup sounds good.

As far as the range of hotside temperatures, i put 87 because that's what the thermometer probe read, but he moved the probe to the edge of the UTH! The usual range is from 89-92. I'm heating it with a ZooMed UTH, monitered by thermostat. The ambient temperature is 80-83. No worries, I've got the heating thing down to a science! Note to self, tape probe in place.

I will probably offer food on Monday, or is that too early if I got him on Tuesday?

Update, I just checked the cage this morning and he is STILL out and about. Now I'm worried. What do I do??

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Originally Posted by JOsborn

Update, I just checked the cage this morning and he is STILL out and about. Now I'm worried. What do I do??

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If it's a new snake, this is completely normal. Just leave him alone for a few more days and he will settle down.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

If it's a new snake, this is completely normal. Just leave him alone for a few more days and he will settle down.

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:Agreed: In general, most animals will explore their new territories for the first few days and scope out the land.

Examples: My turtles swam back an forth in their new tank for 2 days straight until they knew where everything was, then started hanging out where they were comfortable. Also, added a second hide box to my ratsnake's enclosure which he reacted to by exploring his enclosure for a couple days, then I didn't see him for a week cause he likes to burrow. Finally, after I moved, I didn't settle down in my "hide box"(in front of my computer) for 3 days. Then I got a couch and now my couch is my hide box. :D

Hmmm. Then I got a couch and now my couch is my hide box. <<< This is getting posted to the "you might be a bp owner if..." thread

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Originally Posted by JOsborn

Note to self, tape probe in place.

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I'm new to BPs myself, so I'm no expert but I just wanted to mention that I have seen it mentioned on this forum quite a few times that you should never use tape inside the snake's enclosure. People suggested using hot glue to glue down the probe. Good luck. B

Do not tape the probe down. You could take a suction cup and hold it in one spot with that that's what I do.

I wouldnt worry too much,I asked the same question,2 out of my 3 baby BP girls do this,they'll roam a lot,then settle down,my other girl is timid and likes her box,but when handling her she explores a little on my arm.I think some BP's are more active than others

I'm by far not an expert, but my first BP arrived last Thursday and he did the same thing. After 2-3 days, he settled in during the day and his roaming was at night.

On day four, he started roaming only at night.... Almost looking through the glass with a hungry face. So, tonight (day six), I waited until he started his nightly roaming and fed him in the dark. He ate! :-)

Good luck with yours. :)