New to BPs

Picked up my first BP yesterday. A one year old male that's been fed live small rats. I was very pleased that he took a frozen rat today. I was concerned that it might be hard to change his habits, but apparently not. After he ate he settled into the water bowl. Is this normal behavior to soak after eating? So far he's been quite tame and "friendly".

thanks,

Soaking can be an indication of a number of things you should check into:
A) Snakes occasionally soak before shed to help loosen the skin. (Check to see if he's going into shed)
B) Snakes soak if they are too hot and need to cool down. (Double-check all the temperatures in your enclosure. What are you using to heat your tank, and how are you measuring temps?)
C) Snakes soak if they have mites on their skin. (Thoroughly check your snake, its enclosure, and the water for signs of mites!)

Glad to hear your new buddy ate f/t right away! Might be worth mentioning, but don't handle him until 24-48 hours after eating, and you might take it slow this first week while he gets settled into his new home.

Congrats on getting him eat f/t right away! That awesome. Just watch out for mites if he is soaking. I haven't had them, but as far as I know, they are little black dot looking things that crawl on your snake near the mouth and eyes, but like I said, I have never had them before, and I don't know for sure (so please correct me if I'm wrong.) anyways, maybe once he is settled in, show some pics? I love ball Python pictures!

Thanks for all of the advice. I'll give him a day for his "dinner" to settle and have a close look for mites, etc.

Yesterday I looked him over real close and didn't see any black specks on his mouth or vents areas. I've not seen him in the water since that one time after feeding. He's quite docile and easy to handle. Seems to be curious but enjoys staying in my warm hands.

It's weekly feeding time and I placed the frozen small rat on a paper towel on top of his cage. In minutes he's out a sniffing the paper towel. In a few hours when the rat is thawed and warmed I'll feed him.

This is interesting. After feeding he's soaking in the water again, like last time. He's not been in the water all week, until now.

Some snakes just do things for no rhyme or reason. That might just be his thing. Eat and then have a soak. As with humans, they are all different and all have their quirks. How is the setup? Temps, humidity and that?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by George1994

Some snakes just do things for no rhyme or reason. That might just be his thing. Eat and then have a soak. As with humans, they are all different and all have their quirks. How is the setup? Temps, humidity and that?

---

One side of the tank is 80 and the other side is 90. I just bought a humidistat to measure the humidity.

Here he is:

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps09b1fdcd.jpg

After installing a humidity gauge I'm seeing 20% humidity. Not good. I bought some moss. I guess I'll soak the moss and lay it around the cage?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hlh1

After installing a humidity gauge I'm seeing 20% humidity. Not good. I bought some moss. I guess I'll soak the moss and lay it around the cage?

---

Is this a digital or analogue reader? Digital if far more accurate. My analogue one hasn't moved sinve I got it.

Moist sphagnum moss will definitely help! You might also consider how you're heating the enclosure (heat lamps and bulbs will suck up your humidity). And if you have a screen top/lid, you can cover it with tin foil, which will really help to preserve the heat and humidity.

Mine will sometimes soak after eating, probably a matter of temperature regulation.

Sphagnum moss can get messy. What I read here and have been doing is stuffing damp moss into a spare (too large for him now) hide on the warm side of tank. It retains moisture well, the snake can get into it if he wants, and I can spray it with water bottle to re-dampen every few days.

http://i61.tinypic.com/mm7kgz.jpg
Far left hide contains moss.

I have closed off much of the top with aluminum foil and remove one heat lamp. The humidity has jumped already from 20-40%. I'll keep working the issue. Thanks for the wisdom.

I'm now at 60% humidity but the temps are low. Now I gotta work on the heat.

I had a look at him this morning and his eyes are blue/gray. Guess it's time for a shed. How long after the eyes to gray before the shed?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thejennabird

Moist sphagnum moss will definitely help! You might also consider how you're heating the enclosure (heat lamps and bulbs will suck up your humidity). And if you have a screen top/lid, you can cover it with tin foil, which will really help to preserve the heat and humidity.

---

I've asked a few people this to get multiple input, but do you have any issues with mold when dealing with that moss? I've never used it and it makes sense that it would dramatically help with increasing humidity (which i'm having trouble with) but I can't help but wonder if having damp moss just sitting there would start to mold or not. Unless it's made specifically not to or something.

I covered my tank with aluminum foil and put the lamp on top like normal. I cut around the lamp to take out that piece of aluminum foil. Poke a few small holes in the top. Then I got a smallish tu pperware container and added a big handful of the moss. Wet it really good. Put both the water dish and moss under the lamp. By doing this, I was able to keep my heat lamp and keep the humidity spot on.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Smarion0006

I covered my tank with aluminum foil and put the lamp on top like normal. I cut around the lamp to take out that piece of aluminum foil. Poke a few small holes in the top. Then I got a smallish tu pperware container and added a big handful of the moss. Wet it really good. Put both the water dish and moss under the lamp. By doing this, I was able to keep my heat lamp and keep the humidity spot on.

---

I like this idea f keeping the moisture in a bowl.

He shed and he's so pretty! Also seems livelier.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hlh1

Here he is:

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps09b1fdcd.jpg

---

Beautiful! I love commons.