BP won't come out of hide

Hello all,

Recently my BP stayed in her hot side hide for over a full week but she was going into a shed. She shed well then came out.
Her regular routine is hide for most of the day, then she'll come out and play around for a few hours in the evening. This is when we get our handling time in, since I don't like to take her out of her hide if she's already in there.
After the shed I cleaned the whole tank and everything in it, replaced all the substrate, etc. but shortly after the cleaning she went into her hot side hide and it has once again been a full week since she came out. Temperatures and humidity are reading well. She ate once, but just came out enough to eat the rat then she went right back into her hide.
I'm starting to get a little worried. She just shed, so I don't think it's that.
Any thoughts on why she's been hiding for so long? Should I even be worried?
Could it have to do with air flow? She's in a glass tank with a mesh top but I've covered most of it with a custom-cut plexiglass panel to control temperature and humidity. I have left an opening above the cold side that should be big enough to provide the necessary ventilation (the opening is over the cold side because if I open the hot side the humidity drops too much). Could she be resting in her hide because she's not getting enough oxygen?
Anyway, I'd love to benefit from your wisdom and experience. Please advise! Thanks!

A hiding BP is a happy BP. They aren't display pets, they're hiding most of the time. One of mine only comes out to drink water and maybe to eat, if she's in a good enough mood:rofl:

I understand, but she used to come out daily. She did that for months. Why would she be acting differently now? She's still young, so I'd like to continue handling her regularly so she can get accustomed to people (especially me!).

She's most likely settled in and happy now. More than likely she comes out at night after you are asleep. They are nocturnal by nature. There is nothing wrong with taking them out from time to time for short visits if you want to handle them during the day.

Dave

You can continue handling. You might be over reacting a little. Like PythonBabes said, a hiding bp is a happy bp. I hardly ever see my snakes unless I go in there and take them out of their hide. As long as you have the temps/humidity in order as well as the setup your snake is fine. Why do you feel like you can't handle the snake?

Then gently lift the hide and handle her, if she is eating, drinking and shedding. She is probably just happy. I had a couple of non eating snake babies over the years, I'm more then glad to see a bit of a change as they grow, definitely if it's positive!

Sounds pretty normal to me. Sometimes they just like to hide. I think they get to the point that they tolerate us, but most of the time they just want to be left alone.

Haha yes I understand I may be overreacting. I am a new owner and I care very much! For handling, i just don't like the idea of lifting up her hide where she's warm and secure, and reaching in a grabbing her to handle her. I'm much more comfortable taking her when she's already out and about.
Glad to hear she's probably fine. Thanks everyone for the replies!

Handling time and amount is a personal choice. I know what you mean about being a new onwer and wanting everything to be perfect. With time you will be able to read your snake better. Don't feel bad about taking the snake out when you like. Keep studying your snake and keep reading on here and you will continue to enjoy your pet.

Everything I was going to mention has near enough been said in the posts above . .. I would add that if you add a couple ( or more ) branches they WILL come out more in the evening and climb for ages . Your's is possibly having a mooch around when you've long gone to bed as suggested by someone else.

My bp used to come out all the time, especially at night, because she was in a new place and was trying to get "back home". After she settled in, she never comes out at all unless I move her myself, and then she is thoroughly annoyed... LOL. BP's are kind of like ants... They stay in their hidey-hole until they have a good reason to come out. Speaking of which... Just had her on my lap, and it took her all of 30 secs to crawl under my blanket. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Calider

My bp used to come out all the time, especially at night, because she was in a new place and was trying to get "back home". After she settled in, she never comes out at all unless I move her myself, and then she is thoroughly annoyed... LOL. BP's are kind of like ants... They stay in their hidey-hole until they have a good reason to come out. Speaking of which... Just had her on my lap, and it took her all of 30 secs to crawl under my blanket. :rolleyes:

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Any branches incidentally ??


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It's funny because this is what my BP Zuka is doing. I fed him, then into the hide and hasn't moved since. He hasn't shed since I've had him though. Kinda worries me with me having trouble keeping the humidity at 60. Then again, the woman I talked to at the exotic pet store said they like it dry as well. Paranoid about scale rot, bacteria from to much moisture and other things from humidity problems.


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Originally Posted by Cwilson187

It's funny because this is what my BP Zuka is doing. I fed him, then into the hide and hasn't moved since. He hasn't shed since I've had him though. Kinda worries me with me having trouble keeping the humidity at 60. Then again, the woman I talked to at the exotic pet store said they like it dry as well. Paranoid about scale rot, bacteria from to much moisture and other things from humidity problems.


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the woman at the exotic pet store has no idea what she is talking about. ball pythons need a good amount of humidity.

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Originally Posted by se7en

the woman at the exotic pet store has no idea what she is talking about. ball pythons need a good amount of humidity.

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After associating with everyone here and reading a bunch, that's what I figured. I kinda figured out what I needed to do for now and it's been working pretty good. I switched the red infrared 40w bulb out and replaced it with a 65w blue basking light that came with it, since it throws more heat; then put a moist/wet rag over the middle of the screen on the top, covered the rag in foil and other areas that aren't covered by lighting. So, there's a 65w blue basking on left (warm side at 89-90d) and a 13w UVB light on the right (cool side at 85-87d). There is, enough space for vent too. But soon, I'm going to either build or buy a PVC enclosure, herpstat, UHV and new hides when I get enough money. For now, I think he's doing pretty good.


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