My first ball python and introduction!
Hey everyone this is my first timing joining a forum for reptiles. I've always loved reptiles and use to catch garter and brown snakes. I owned an albino corn snake as a child along with frogs, leopard geckos, and turtles. I've always wanted a ball python but my mom would never let me get one... Needless to say it's been about 10 years of waiting and I finally got my first normal ball python!
I purchased the snake from Petsmart on Sunday (I know this might have been a mistake but the night before I had a dream of buying one so I did very impulsively). In one of the pics the temp was a bit high and I have been keeping the cold side around 75-80 and the warm side 88-92. The humidity levels have been anywhere from 30-50% but usually around 40. I'm not sure of the sex or age and even though it's hard to approximate if any one has any ideas or suggestions on things I can do to be a better caregiver for this little fella let me know!! Thanks for checking out my post and I look forward to learning more about ball pythons!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/19/y2a9e3e8.jpg
Here's the pic where the temp was too high 😁http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/19/e3ahesa4.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/19/hu2e7e5y.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/19/y9u8eza7.jpg
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Re: My first ball python and introduction!
Re: My first ball python and introduction!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
oskyle1567
Nice looking ball
Thank you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Navaro
Everything looks great. Welcome!
Love the pattern on that normal
Thank you! I've been browsing the forum before I decided to join and you always offer great advice. It's much appreciated!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sopa
welcome! thats a very nice normal! i love how you have so many accessories for the tank :)
Thank you so much!! I've been reading up a lot on BP's and how they like to feel secure. So far it seems like it's been adjusting well! (:
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Re: My first ball python and introduction!
Small update: first feed was successful! Now I can't wait for a couple days to pass so I can hold it! [emoji16]
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/19/3ehu4e6u.jpg
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Re: My first ball python and introduction!
Welcome to the forum! Your little one is too cute [emoji4]
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Re: My first ball python and introduction!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AlexisFitzy
Welcome to the forum! Your little one is too cute [emoji4]
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Thank you!! I'm really looking forward to learning more about this beautiful snakes [emoji4]
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Re: My first ball python and introduction!
Congrats on your first bp. I love your setup looks great
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Re: My first ball python and introduction!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
alan12013
That's actually a nice looking normal for petco! Since you cant handle it after the first few days so it can calm down and you cant handle him after he eats you will have to get a few so at any time one can be picked up, this helps with impulse handling lol
Thank you! It seems to be doing great. After I fed him yesterday he chilled under the basking spot and stayed out all night then went in one of his hides during the day and now tonight he's back out roaming the terrarium. I've read some horror stories on reptiles purchased from local pet stores so I'm feeling pretty fortunate!! And I defiantly will be getting another snake before the year is up. I'm not sure if it'll be a BP though. I'd really like to get a red tail boa! [emoji16]
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Re: My first ball python and introduction!
Another update: I held my new baby ball this afternoon for the first time! (:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/21/3yma7eze.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/21/barehyha.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/21/a9ygezyd.jpg
After I held it for about 5 minutes, it went to it's warm hide for the first time.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/21/rehane6a.jpg
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Re: My first ball python and introduction!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Navaro
Grats!, that's a really attractive setup too.
Digging the wrist tattoo. Everyone loves a gamble ;)
Thanks man!! I actually have a question on handling... How often would you recommend taking it out of it's cage? Would everyday be good or is every other other more preferred? I tried searching and haven't really found any definite answers. Also how long would you recommend for each session?
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Re: My first ball python and introduction!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Navaro
The answer varies greatly. If you have just the one snake, and you wait the appropriate time after feeding (48 hours or so, depending on meal size), there's zero issue with handling once a day.
Like anything you just have to read the signs, If your ball python seems stressed by your handling, make it less frequent, but do keep at it. Handling definitely improves their disposition. When not digesting. I tend to handle my girl once a day for short periods. She seems very chill with it, and it keeps her moods mellow.
I've known snakes who were previously handled frequently to go to a new owner, who doesn't handle them, and they regress into a state of being nippy ect.
Awesome! Thanks for the help!! I waited 48 hours on the dot before handling it today. It was only for about 5-10 mins. It didn't seem stressed out and only moved it's head if I moved my thumb. It wrapped lightly around my hand and was flicking it's tongue a lot. My only concern was when I put it back in the terrarium it immediately went to the closest hide. After I fed it on Friday afternoon it chilled in the basking spot and didn't go to a hide till early Saturday morning.
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Re: My first ball python and introduction!
Another good handling session this morning!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/22/y8yteva2.jpg
I do have one question though... It seems to be doing great when I'm holding it and doesn't show any signs of stress. However when I put it back in it's terrarium today it started going in circles against the glass looking for a place to go and then went straight for it's warm hide. Is this normal behavior? Or was it possibly stressed out a little?
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Re: My first ball python and introduction!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jtmatsumoto
Another good handling session this morning!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/22/y8yteva2.jpg
I do have one question though... It seems to be doing great when I'm holding it and doesn't show any signs of stress. However when I put it back in it's terrarium today it started going in circles against the glass looking for a place to go and then went straight for it's warm hide. Is this normal behavior? Or was it possibly stressed out a little?
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Hes pretty much looking to escape, you'll prolly often see him looking up or climbing up to the lid, again he just wants to escape, Get some black kraft paper or even black paint and paint 3 sides of the tank! it helps them feel more Secure!
Re: My first ball python and introduction!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CORBIN911
Hes pretty much looking to escape, you'll prolly often see him looking up or climbing up to the lid, again he just wants to escape, Get some black kraft paper or even black paint and paint 3 sides of the tank! it helps them feel more Secure!
Thank you so much for the advice!! I went ahead and put black construction paper on the 3 sides.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/22/apu6y9aq.jpg
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