My BP is a clutz...

Seshat loves her new tank and gets out for walks multiple times a day. In fact, I never knew snakes could be so athletic. She adores climbing the walks, but is a clutz and falls. Short of bubble wrapping her, are there suggestions to keep her safe? I use paper towels as bedding and added some layers, but it's not thick enough to break her fall. Thankfully she doesn't have anything sharp/too hard/round to fall on.

Ball Pythons are ground dwellers and while they can climb they are not arboreal snakes and often fall, something to consider.

Sent from my SM-T320 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deborah

Ball Pythons are ground dwellers and while they can climb they are not arboreal snakes and often fall, something to consider.

Sent from my SM-T320 using Tapatalk

---

Maybe I can use a blanket instead of paper towels? I clean her tank 2-3 times a week so she always has a fresh bedding.

How tall is her tank? A fall of a foot or so won't hurt her. You could use a particle substrate like coir or something to give the bottom some padding if you're worried about it.

Also, if she's coming out and roaming around multiple times during the day, it might indicate something is off in the enclosure and it's stressing her out. I'd double check your set-up.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snake Judy

How tall is her tank? A fall of a foot or so won't hurt her. You could use a particle substrate like coir or something to give the bottom some padding if you're worried about it.

Also, if she's coming out and roaming around multiple times during the day, it might indicate something is off in the enclosure and it's stressing her out. I'd double check your set-up.

---

26inches so...about 2 feet. She's robust at almost 3lbs. I'd like to use a substrate but I am paranoid about getting mites. :(

As for her setup; what am I looking for exactly?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by squatsnstilettos

As for her setup; what am I looking for exactly?

---

Here's a few things to check. Folks here can help and let you know if anything is off if you answer these. Typically a happy ball python will spend most/all of the day curled up and hiding, and then maybe roam a bit at night. If she's a brand new snake, though, or in a brand new enclosure, it might just be that she hasn't settled in yet.

What are the temperatures on your hot side and your cool side?
What are you using to heat the enclosure and how is it measured and regulated?
What's your humidity?
What kind of hides are you using?

If you have a picture of your setup that'll help even more.

Mine does this too, I put plenty of things for him to climb on in there and it helps a lot. Big rock ledge, lots of fake plants suction cupped to the sides, rock waterfall, and sticks. My bp spends most of the night climbing. Just make sure that the top is extra extra secure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snake Judy

How tall is her tank? A fall of a foot or so won't hurt her. You could use a particle substrate like coir or something to give the bottom some padding if you're worried about it.

Also, if she's coming out and roaming around multiple times during the day, it might indicate something is off in the enclosure and it's stressing her out. I'd double check your set-up.

---

Thats a pretty vague catch-all-statement. There is incredible variability in the activity of different animals depending on barometric pressure, weather patterns, light and dark conditions, new scents in the home etc. impossible to compare the habits of different animals across the country. I've had bps that NEVER leave their hides unless they are eating, drinking or defecating, and have also had bps that were very active, with the exact same husbandry.

As for falling, I wouldn't worry about it. These guys are much tougher than you think. I wouldn't put the snake up high on a perch, but if she's just climbing around the enclosure and slips, you will be fine.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JoshSloane

Thats a pretty vague catch-all-statement. There is incredible variability in the activity of different animals depending on barometric pressure, weather patterns, light and dark conditions, new scents in the home etc. impossible to compare the habits of different animals across the country. I've had bps that NEVER leave their hides unless they are eating, drinking or defecating, and have also had bps that were very active, with the exact same husbandry.

---

Yep, this is true! Nevertheless, it's not "typical" ball python behavior to be extremely active during the day, so always a good idea to rule out any problems in husbandry, especially for a new keeper. But like I said, it's likely that the snake is just getting accustomed to the new enclosure.

Sure, I hear what you are saying. I would honestly be much more concerned if the snake spent all of its time in one location, and never thermoregulated.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snake Judy

Here's a few things to check. Folks here can help and let you know if anything is off if you answer these. Typically a happy ball python will spend most/all of the day curled up and hiding, and then maybe roam a bit at night. If she's a brand new snake, though, or in a brand new enclosure, it might just be that she hasn't settled in yet.

What are the temperatures on your hot side and your cool side?
What are you using to heat the enclosure and how is it measured and regulated?
What's your humidity?
What kind of hides are you using?

If you have a picture of your setup that'll help even more.

---

Well right now they are the same because it's really hot and humid these days so I am not putting on her lamp. When it is on, I place that the screen top and keep her hot spot at 85 and cool side at 75. Humidity is 60%. When it gets cooler I put on a room humidifier. To measure the heat and humidity I have the gauges you stick to the glass. A set on each end. For hides I use shoeboxes. This way I can remove her without disturbing her.

It is a new tank. I just got it a few weeks ago. I have filled it with 2 rocks, a tree stump, flowers and green foliage from the dollar store. I will post pics once my phone is fixed, which will be in a few weeks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by squatsnstilettos

26inches so...about 2 feet. She's robust at almost 3lbs. I'd like to use a substrate but I am paranoid about getting mites. :(

As for her setup; what am I looking for exactly?

---

You dont get mites from bedding. You get mites from other animals. As long as you practice safe procedure when coming in contact with other reptiles you should be fine.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Izzys Keeper

You dont get mites from bedding. You get mites from other animals. As long as you practice safe procedure when coming in contact with other reptiles you should be fine.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

---

Really? I thought I read that mites come from the bedding. I am definitely careful (paranoid in fact) about washing my hands before handling Seshat as I have multiple creatures living with me. I don't want to pick her up and smell like a guinea pig and be mistaken for lunch!

Most beddings are kiln treated to destroy any parasites that might be present. Mites normally occur from adding an animal to your collection that has mites either visible or in the larval stages. You can also transfer mites by coming into contact with infected animals and then touching your own, or their enclosure. Simply bringing bedding into your enclosure makes no difference.

However, one thing to be cognizant of is that deep, warm, damp substrate is a preferential breeding ground for mites and other parasites. So if you do happen to bring in mites to your collection, you will likely need to switch to paper towel, or some other less porous bedding while treating for the mites.

Yea mites are like the flu. You don't just get it... you get it from somebody else who has it. Mites are indigenous to the countries ball pythons come from so unless you're importing bedding from Africa then you should be fine. Quarantining new animals appropriately and being careful after going to a reptile show for example is how to avoid mites.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

Yep. Reptile shows are havens for mites and RIs. Definitely change clothes, wash hands, even shower before handling your collection. After learning my lesson about RIs and expos, I have become pretty paranoid. I strip down on my front porch, put clothes in a trash bag and take them straight to the wash. Also go directly to the bathroom and shower.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JoshSloane

Yep. Reptile shows are havens for mites and RIs. Definitely change clothes, wash hands, even shower before handling your collection. After learning my lesson about RIs and expos, I have become pretty paranoid. I strip down on my front porch, put clothes in a trash bag and take them straight to the wash. Also go directly to the bathroom and shower.

---

Thanks! I don't attend reptile shows and don't handle reptiles in pet stores. I am glad I am not exposing my baby to any risks. In that case, I might change her from paper towels to a bedding in the winter like coconut husks. My apt tends to get insanely dry. She's in a 128 gallon so it will be tricky to keep the humidity right for her.

120 gallons? Dear lord! That's one giant bp enclosure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JoshSloane

120 gallons? Dear lord! That's one giant bp enclosure.

---

It's an odd size and is quite tall as apposed to long. I need to put vines up on the wall, but she likes to get out for her nightly walks and redecorate. She rummages through the flowers and greens then slides into her other hid, a shoebox, and pops the lid, sometimes flinging it across her condo.