Active BP

Bought a new phantom ball python around 2 weeks ago from a pet store, he seems to be doing great (He's feeding and doing everything a healthy ball python should do). Recently, around 2 days ago he started to become more active and he's quite active in the day although he will spend a lot of time in his hide he just seems to be very active. I'm not sure whether this is him exploring but he was fed 2 days ago (Saturday) and he's in an 18L tub and he's around 12 months old.

Any suggestions and feedback will go a long way, thanks!

Would you be able to get us his weight and the size of prey? If it was a little small, he may already be back to hunting, i had this problem for a little while.

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Originally Posted by Slicercrush

Would you be able to get us his weight and the size of prey? If it was a little small, he may already be back to hunting, i had this problem for a little while.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

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The weight of the ball python is 300 grams (I know, it's quite small but I got him recently) and the prey is around 35g, I'm not too sure what the type of rat/mice it was but it seems to me it looks like a frozen rat small weaner BUT I could be wrong as I did not buy the rats, my mom did and she's also not sure.

What are your temps?
How are you heating the enclosure?
Are your heat sources regulated by a thermostat??
Are hides provided?

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

What are your temps?
How are you heating the enclosure?
Are your heat sources regulated by a thermostat??
Are hides provided?

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Temperature is at 90 degrees Fahrenheit on the hot side, cold side is at 82 degrees Fahrenheit. It's regulated by a thermostat and I'm using a heat mat under the tub, there's 1 hide provided in the hot side and a water dish.

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Originally Posted by BrandonPythons

Temperature is at 90 degrees Fahrenheit on the hot side, cold side is at 82 degrees Fahrenheit. It's regulated by a thermostat and I'm using a heat mat under the tub, there's 1 hide provided in the hot side and a water dish.

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This might be a stupid question but do you only have one hide? Isn't there another one on the cold side?

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Originally Posted by Caali

This might be a stupid question but do you only have one hide? Isn't there another one on the cold side?

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Not right now, I've asked multiple people who breed and just keep BP's as pets and they said I only require one hide.

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Originally Posted by BrandonPythons

Not right now, I've asked multiple people who breed and just keep BP's as pets and they said I only require one hide.

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Well this could be the riddle's solution.

Breeders often keep their snakes in racks which do not have any light in them. It's trying to simulate the ball python's natural habitat of living in wet, tight and dark places. They're basically a big hide. That's also why the snake can just choose whatever temperature it likes no matter what time but it's different for terrariums.
If there's light inside the enclosure, it will simulate a day-night cycle. That means that your ball python will normally get up at night to change homes and sometimes even during the day if they are way too hot. Ball pythons need to be able to thermoregulate.
I think that your ball python is probably too hot on the hot side and searches for a colder spot but he cannot find a safe place during the day because a hide is missing. He feels unsafe but wants to thermoregulate. So is cruising and searching.
So get a hide identical to the other and put it on the cold side. That's my suggestion.

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Originally Posted by BrandonPythons

Not right now, I've asked multiple people who breed and just keep BP's as pets and they said I only require one hide.

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As adults that is often true, many adult BPs won't even use a hide in tubs.

However, your BP is still young and also has recently moved to a completely new world full of new surroundings, smells, outside activity, etc... your BP is still acclimating, searching for a safe spot with the temps he currently desires.

At least temporarily, I'd offer a second hide. Worst case, he doesn't use it, no harm done. Best case, he settles down and you've got peace of mind.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

As adults that is often true, many adult BPs won't even use a hide in tubs.

However, your BP is still young and also has recently moved to a completely new world full of new surroundings, smells, outside activity, etc... your BP is still acclimating, searching for a safe spot with the temps he currently desires.

At least temporarily, I'd offer a second hide. Worst case, he doesn't use it, no harm done. Best case, he settles down and you've got peace of mind.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Caali

Well this could be the riddle's solution.

Breeders often keep their snakes in racks which do not have any light in them. It's trying to simulate the ball python's natural habitat of living in wet, tight and dark places. They're basically a big hide. That's also why the snake can just choose whatever temperature it likes no matter what time but it's different for terrariums.
If there's light inside the enclosure, it will simulate a day-night cycle. That means that your ball python will normally get up at night to change homes and sometimes even during the day if they are way too hot. Ball pythons need to be able to thermoregulate.
I think that your ball python is probably too hot on the hot side and searches for a colder spot but he cannot find a safe place during the day because a hide is missing. He feels unsafe but wants to thermoregulate. So is cruising and searching.
So get a hide identical to the other and put it on the cold side. That's my suggestion.

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Thank you both!

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Originally Posted by BrandonPythons

Thank you both!

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You're welcome! Keep asking any questions you have, we're happy to help!

definately need to get another hide on the cold end something like this is very inexpensive http://www.lllreptile.com/products/1...black-hide-box my BP spends most of the time inside the hides i got 3 of them warm side middle and cold side the enclosure is 36x18x17 my BP eats,sheds and poops inside the hide lol

Is your ambient temp 90? Or the hot spot over the UTH?

id still bump the temps down a bit and get to like 79 on the cool side and maybe mid 80s on the warm side with a hot spot of 90

the snake may be too hot and can’t find something cooler

many of my snakes prefer the cooler sides and are there most unless in shed or after food.