Problem With My First New Ball Python

Today I got my first ball python at a reptile show and while I was there she was really inquisitive and was exploring a lot. She was like that in the car and when I first set up her 20 gallon terrarium. She was exploring her enclosure and wasn't nervous at all. But after leaving her a about 5 hours and came back to hold her she was all balled up when I took her out and she was noting like the snake at the show. :confusd:

If anybody can tell me what I should do or if anything is wrong, please do, it will help me so much. :)

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Originally Posted by Suazo

Today I got my first ball python at a reptile show and while I was there she was really inquisitive and was exploring a lot. She was like that in the car and when I first set up her 20 gallon terrarium. She was exploring her enclosure and wasn't nervous at all. But after leaving her a about 5 hours and came back to hold her she was all balled up when I took her out and she was noting like the snake at the show. :confusd:

If anybody can tell me what I should do or if anything is wrong, please do, it will help me so much. :)

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Its possible she was just exploring. Did you take her out during the day? They have a tendancy to be less active during the day. (PS try not to hold her too much the first few days so she is able to feel safe and secure in her new home) but my BP rarely explores during the day and usually stays under his hide (they're called Ball pythons for a reason 😉, bc they like curling up in balls) obviously get a second opinion from mine, but I dont think there's need to be alarmed

1.0 Normal
Normal doesn't mean boring! 😊

How much does the snake weigh? If you don't know, about how long is it and how thick around. Also, describe your setup - how many hides, how are you heating it, what substrate, etc.

In general, you want to leave your new snake alone for a week to settle in.


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My ball python is about four months old and she is bout 20 inches long and weighs about a pound. She lives in a 20 gallon long tank that is about 90 degrees on the hot side and 80 degrees on the cool side. She has forest floor bedding and a log hide on the hot side on the tank. It's heated with a heat mat and it has a water bowl on the cool side of the tank, that's really all there is to it.

The first time I took her out it was about 2:00 P.M. and the second time it was about 9:00 p.m. so it seemed to be more active during the day, but thanks for the help. :)

Yeah, I'd say leave her be for a solid week other than any spot cleaning that needs done. And try to get a pair of matching, tighter hides with one entry, they can be as simple as dog bowls with an opening underneath, or tupperware with holes cut for entry. Logs can leave a BP feeling insecure, which will contribute to stress issues more than some other kinds of snakes.

You need to unplug your heater immediately if you aren't using a thermostat. You're risking serious burns or worse to your animal running a UTH unregulated.

Also, read the stickies on this forum and get your setup and husbandry on point.

You're going to want to leave your new pet alone for the meantime while you get everything all set up. You want your snake to get settled in and eating prior to doing much handling, if any at all. I personally like to get my snakes to eat 3 consecutive meals without refusal before doing much handling.

Unplug heat pad if its not on a thermostat... how are you measuring temperature? You say enclosure temps are "about 80/90".. you need to kno.. not be guessing..where are you measuring temps in cage? Humidity gauge? Didnt see that U have one.... 2 hides..a must... no handle for minimum of 1 week, preferably after and only whn its eating consistently no matter how long tht is.

No worries.. w proper care you will have that snake a long time..there is plenty of time to handle it. For now, do whats best for the snake and resist the urge to mess w it now.

Suggest reading stickies on this site to learn proper care and cage set up...

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What the heck!!"" You tried to steal my forum name!!! Anyways, you just got the BP. It needs a few weeks to settle in. I wouldnt mess with it for at least 2 weeks. Just change water and spot clean if needed. Once it eats 4-5 times in a row, then you can start working with it.

And honestly, if you bought a BP to be a social 'pet', you picked the wrong snake lol. BPs are usually pretty secretive. If you want a more social snake, get a boa or retic or a colubrid.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

What the heck!!"" You tried to steal my forum name!!! Anyways, you just got the BP. It needs a few weeks to settle in. I wouldnt mess with it for at least 2 weeks. Just change water and spot clean if needed. Once it eats 4-5 times in a row, then you can start working with it.

And honestly, if you bought a BP to be a social 'pet', you picked the wrong snake lol. BPs are usually pretty secretive. If you want a more social snake, get a boa or retic or a colubrid.

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I thought you were the OP at first, I was very confused LOL


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Suazo

My ball python is about four months old and she is bout 20 inches long and weighs about a pound. She lives in a 20 gallon long tank that is about 90 degrees on the hot side and 80 degrees on the cool side. She has forest floor bedding and a log hide on the hot side on the tank. It's heated with a heat mat and it has a water bowl on the cool side of the tank, that's really all there is to it.

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You keep saying "about" when asked for basic info on the enclosure. "About" is not good enough, get a thermometer, and you will want a cheap scale that measures in grams, not lbs. If your snake is only 3-4 months old, it's probably not a pound...

Also, get a second hide for the "cool side" as your snake should never have to choose between being hidden and the correct temperature for it's body needs. Preferably you want several hides in there, in different areas, so that the snake can "thermoregulate" and choose the best temp for its needs. Two is the minimum needed.

Ball pythons really should not be held frequently. Cornsnakes, in my opinion, are a much better snake to tolerate frequent handling. This is especially true for young snakes. That being said, no snake should be held a few hours after introduction to its new tank. I agree with the other poster who said leave it alone for at least a week. If you don't see it, peek in the hide or check again at night. Opening the cage and pulling out hides and yanking the snake out will be very stressful for it. I prefer to leave my BP's alone for at least "two feedings," however long that will be. I then pull them for a quick photo shoot and handling session. But I don't mess with them too often. This will also be very dependent upon your snakes personality- some will tolerate handling more frequently better than others. Some, you won't be able to handle much at all because it stresses them out.

Remember, snakes are not mammals. They don't have the same needs. Their needs are simple, but very different from the pets most people are familiar with.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

What the heck!!"" You tried to steal my forum name!!! Anyways, you just got the BP. It needs a few weeks to settle in. I wouldnt mess with it for at least 2 weeks. Just change water and spot clean if needed. Once it eats 4-5 times in a row, then you can start working with it.

And honestly, if you bought a BP to be a social 'pet', you picked the wrong snake lol. BPs are usually pretty secretive. If you want a more social snake, get a boa or retic or a colubrid.

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I thought you were the OP as well, and I was very confused. :O