So I'm Very New at this and need alot of help....

So about a month ago i got my first ball and so far its been fine. I have her in a decent size tank, could have a bit more in it than a tree and her two hides but with my schedule and movie theater employee salary its the best I can do. I've always had a bit of a problem with humidity in the tank so any help with that would be appreciated. Just recently however I asked a friend to grab food for her and they got a live fuzzy(recommended feeding schedule from where i got her was one fuzzy weekly) instead of a frozen one, she ate it just fine but after digesting she has become defensive and doesn't leave her hide during the day like she used too. I try to handle her as often as I can but when I try she panics and either flees back to her hide or looks like shes gonna strike at me. I'm noticing that her skin is darker than it was when I got her and a friend of mine who has two snakes(neither balls) believes its time for her shed.

I guess what I really need is advice on how to keep the humidity stable in the cage and any explanation as to why she's acting the way she is.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Ok please dont take this the wrong way but it sounds like you didn't do any research before getting your snake and the best you can do on your salary?

A picture of of your set up would be great so we can try and help you. What are your temps at? What are you using for heat? Tempstat, substrate used? Sounds like your husbandry is off. Please let us know how everything is set up.

I second what Sunnyskys said, more information on her habitat would be helpful.
I would also say that fuzzies are way too small for a baby ball Python. Even hatchlings eat hoppers or larger.

It is normal for snakes to want to be left alone in their hides, don't handle him.
1) he just ate... wants to hide and digest.
2) he is getting ready to shed... wants to hide while vulnerable.

Handling is great, but after eating, or during shed, it is best to let them be alone.

The temps are good through out the day, the humidity will fluctuate a lot because I wanna say the screen top, I try to keep a full water bowl at all times. I'm using Aspen Snake Bedding and for heat I have two lamps one for day and one for night. I had one of the thermometers you stick to the side of the cage until very recently when she managed to pry the stat off the wall and get her head stuck to it(happened a week ago). The vets I took her too recommended this one thing to track humidity and temp I just havent been able to go since I've had class all week. I'll take a picture of my setup now and post it after this.

Honestly I did some research but obviously not enough

Nothing sticky inside the enclosure ever. Just for that reason. Any missing scales? And what are her temps? Not they are good through the day. What are the actual temps at? How are you gauging them? Aspindoes not hold humidity so change that. Cover your screen top with foil except where your lamps are. There is a sticky on how to set up a glass tank (someone link for me please). Please check out the stickies. What is your humidity at, not a guess, an actual number. How are you tracking it? Sorry I'm sounding harsh but i want to help you help your snake.

https://ballpython.shutterfly.com/pictures#n_5

This URL has the picture on it

My way of keeping humidity is putting a damp towel over 2/3s of the screen in combination with misting.

Edit: I also use paper towels instead of aspen.

I have on thermometer still thats suctioned cupped, right now it reads at 79.2 F.

I took the humidity gauge out after the incident with the adhesive because it had some on there too so I'm not entirely sure how it is in there. Humidity in my house is at 42% so I wanna hope its around there. First thing tomorrow im getting the new gauges.

Is there any bedding you'd recommend to help with the humidity?

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Originally Posted by DMixhell

https://ballpython.shutterfly.com/pictures#n_5

This URL has the picture on it

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please read through this thread and make the necessary changes.

you need to know the EXACT temps of ambient (air) temps, floor temps, and humidity on both warm side and cool side. NO guessing.

warm side hot spot (BOTTOM of the enclosure, under the substrate): 88° F for hatchlings, 90° F for jeuvinals/adults.

cool side (top of substrate inside hide is okay for this): ~80° F but can fluctuate a few degrees.

ambient temps (all over the enclosure, measuring neat the substrate): never drop below 77° F.

Humidity is no less than 60%. Hot side temp 90 cool side 85 ambient is 80. Please read the stickies before buying anything. A hide on each side that are identical. Cover three sides of the tank. Get a temperature gun, an accurite digital gauge for humidity and ambient temp.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DMixhell

I have on thermometer still thats suctioned cupped, right now it reads at 79.2 F.

I took the humidity gauge out after the incident with the adhesive because it had some on there too so I'm not entirely sure how it is in there. Humidity in my house is at 42% so I wanna hope its around there. First thing tomorrow im getting the new gauges.

Is there any bedding you'd recommend to help with the humidity?

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any coconut bedding.

you should be using digital thermometers/hygrometers because those analog "stick-on" dials are essentially decoration and are wildly inaccurate.

I was reading it but am curious as to how I measure the floor temperature?

Yeah I trashed those, I have one thats a probe and gives me exact numbers, I need more like it.

Is it okay to change bedding when she's in the middle of a molt? and feeding day is tomorrow should I go through with it or wait?

Sorry for the questions but I really appreciate all the help

Taylor can you do links with the crayon pic? I can't link anything? Also the sticky thread on glass tank set up?

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Originally Posted by DMixhell

I was reading it but am curious as to how I measure the floor temperature?

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the thread i linked shows a probed thermometer with that setup, and that's how you read it. you can also use an infrared temp gun which is honestly such an invaluable tool in this hobby. i recommend you get one if you can.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DMixhell

Yeah I trashed those, I have one thats a probe and gives me exact numbers, I need more like it.

Is it okay to change bedding when she's in the middle of a molt? and feeding day is tomorrow should I go through with it or wait?

Sorry for the questions but I really appreciate all the help

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yes, as the snake will need the humidity boost that comes with a better suited substrate.

I recently switched to cypress mulch, the humidity boost and odor control is fantastic!

I have heard that coconut is great too, and might switch to that.

So I'll work on doing that too tomorrow, any recommendations on getting the snake out of her current cage?

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Originally Posted by DMixhell

So I'll work on doing that too tomorrow, any recommendations on getting the snake out of her current cage?

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Pick her up and take her out lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

Taylor can you do links with the crayon pic? I can't link anything? Also the sticky thread on glass tank set up?

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hope OP sees this!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2ce9731175.jpg

I would but she's pissy and won't leave her hide

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Originally Posted by DMixhell

I would but she's pissy and won't leave her hide

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be confident. take the hide off of her, and grab something like some rolled-up paper towel to give her a lil boop. she should recoil, where you'll reach your hand under her and away from her head to pick her up.

if, when in your hand, she's still tense, use your other hand to come from behind her head and kind of just place your hand over her head/body. she'll know she won't win this fight.

Thank you guys so much, I'll be sure to update on her new arrangements when it's all said and done

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DMixhell

I was reading it but am curious as to how I measure the floor temperature?

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Amazon sells infrared reptile thermometers pretty cheap.