Anyone from OHIO, help me out?

Ok i need some help. One of my last posts i made talked about when i would try to clean the tank the past couple days i would lift his coolside hide to expose him ,then i would normall just go in slow and scoop him up, but he darts across the tank to the warmside hide. Now today he did the same exact thing again. So this time i lifted the the warmside hide(where he bolted to). and he just layed there, then i went to try to scoop him up and he bolted back to the coolside..grrrrrr..It's almost like "ha you cant catch me" or "ohh no! hes gonna get me"..i just want him out long enough to clean the tank, and i havent been that successful at it :confused: If anybody is from Ohio itd be much appreciated if someone could help me out, because im afraid if while he's bolting across the tank and if i go to grab him while hes fleeing he's going to turn around and bite me lol.. help pleasee? :oops:

Ohioan here.

You could try taking out both hides. And remember, a bite from a ball doesn't hurt badly at all, it's just surprising. My little one got me, and it was just a shock more than anything. :) They have to learn that there are points where you are going to have to take them out, and they have to get used to it.

Leave the snake ALONE and let it de-stress. You're not helping by constantly messing in the enclosure, trying to handle the snake, and being scared about it. Is the snake even eating on a consistent basis? If not, NO handling.

The snake doesn't need to see the vet, he needs to settle in and relax, and you're not allowing him to do that.

Now I feel silly. He hasn't even settled in yet?

Yeah, leave him alone for a few days. It helps a lot.

I really need not post after I just wake up. Heh.

What does being from Ohio have to do with anything?:confused:

I think he wants someone to come over and get his snake out for him.

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

Leave the snake ALONE and let it de-stress. You're not helping by constantly messing in the enclosure, trying to handle the snake, and being scared about it. Is the snake even eating on a consistent basis? If not, NO handling.

The snake doesn't need to see the vet, he needs to settle in and relax, and you're not allowing him to do that.

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Yeah the snake is eating on a consistent basis, and i barely ever mess with the snake, i work 6 days a week/ 10 hours a day, im barely ever around to "mess" with it per say. The lighting is on timers, the heating devices are on thermastats, everything as far as setup goes is fine.. I figured leaving him alone for a week n' a half was enough, but i guess not lol. You dont need to get snappy with me, I was just asking questions and concerned, thats all. And in regards to what the person said at the bottom about "what does Ohio have to do with anything"..i figured i could make a friend up here thats more knowledgeable than myself and i could learn from that person, because no one i know has any sort of reptile experience, so thats why i asked.

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Originally Posted by Knitstergirl

I think he wants someone to come over and get his snake out for him.

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I just wanted to meet someone with the same hobby..thats all. Im subscribed to another forum forcars, and have met a bunch of people on their from Ohio that share the same intrest, and i've met a few cool people off there. Same for on here, thats why i asked. :)

What kind of setup do you have?

Tank? Tub?

Heating devices? I saw you had heating and lighting. Ball Pythons do not need a light source and lights generally just stresses the snake out, because they are nocturnal.

How big is the snake and how big is the enclosure?

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Originally Posted by Brimstone111888

What kind of setup do you have?

Tank? Tub?

Heating devices? I saw you had heating and lighting. Ball Pythons do not need a light source and lights generally just stresses the snake out, because they are nocturnal.

How big is the snake and how big is the enclosure?

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-24"x15"x15 terranium
-(2) Clay Cave Hide Boxes {One on warm side/one on cold side}
-Douglas Fur Bark
- Water Dish (near middle of tank)
- Tropical Fake plant in corner
- Big tree Branch over the one hide box on the cold side
- (2) *Dome style light on warmside {has a 75 watt infared bulb}
*Dome style light on coldside {50 watt nightglo bulb turned all the way down with thermastat but is on during the day along with the infared}
- (2) Digital Thermometer's {one on lower warmside/one on lower coolside *thermometers on warmside and coolside have humidity reading too*
- Accurite thermometer with probe under the substrate thats under the warmside hide.
-under tank heater on warmside {covers only a lil over a 1/4 of tank} *Just got it hooked up to Herpstat at 91.8 deg. doesnt fluctuate

TEMPS
warmside- 86-87.2
warmside bask spot-91.8 (which is under the warmside hide)
coolside- 80-80.5
Humidity%- 61-64.2

And yeah my bad, i dont have the lights any more, because i get enough day light thropugh the windows.

How big and how old is the snake?

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Originally Posted by Brimstone111888

How big and how old is the snake?

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around 2 two feet 4 inches, 5 months

Ooooops, tiny snakey in a big enclosure.
So, you might want to consider that this little snake is sort of freaked right now; even after 1.5 weeks, because it is such a big and open space!!!
Here's some ideas: Fill up the space with crumpled newspaper; fill up the space with TONS of plastic plants; fill up the space with tons of hides; purchase a much smaller environment for the snake for now.
Also, the humidity doesn't need to be that high; 50-55% is great!
So, what do you think? Let us know!
Also, sorry it sounded like people were jumping on you :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by starmom

Ooooops, tiny snakey in a big enclosure.
So, you might want to consider that this little snake is sort of freaked right now; even after 1.5 weeks, because it is such a big and open space!!!
Here's some ideas: Fill up the space with crumpled newspaper; fill up the space with TONS of plastic plants; fill up the space with tons of hides; purchase a much smaller environment for the snake for now.
Also, the humidity doesn't need to be that high; 50-55% is great!
So, what do you think? Let us know!
Also, sorry it sounded like people were jumping on you :(

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What she said !:gj:

He will be calm in no time!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ndizzleg

Ok i need some help. One of my last posts i made talked about when i would try to clean the tank the past couple days i would lift his coolside hide to expose him ,then i would normall just go in slow and scoop him up, but he darts across the tank to the warmside hide. Now today he did the same exact thing again. So this time i lifted the the warmside hide(where he bolted to). and he just layed there, then i went to try to scoop him up and he bolted back to the coolside..grrrrrr..It's almost like "ha you cant catch me" or "ohh no! hes gonna get me"..i just want him out long enough to clean the tank, and i havent been that successful at it :confused: If anybody is from Ohio itd be much appreciated if someone could help me out, because im afraid if while he's bolting across the tank and if i go to grab him while hes fleeing he's going to turn around and bite me lol.. help pleasee? :oops:

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After you get the husbandry fixed like Starmom suggests, try this for picking him up.

DON'T expect that this snake will ever enjoy being handled and "want" to come play with you. If you can put aside anything you believe the snake is feeling as far as enjoyment and emotions... I think you'll do better with this next step.

Snakes are being run by a very simple process of instincts. Baby ball pythons are scared, nervous and easily frightened. Over time, they can be worked with to make them feel more secure with you, but as it is, their "wiring" so to speak is working full time on making sure they stay alive and out of a predators mouth.

BP's seem to prefer being left alone. As constant interaction does cause stress.

I don't know how a BP bolts. Honestly, never seen a BP bolt to any side of an enclosure, but they can move at a good pace.

If you absolutely need to clean a mess up without removing him (urates, urine, poo) then do as you were before, and wait until he is on the opposite side of the enclosure. Clean what you need to, then usher him back to the other side. Repeat.

You don't need to clean out the tub or tank every week, spot cleaning will do fine. In fact, I would only do a full cleaning about once a month if it was absolutely horrendous. Do the smell test to help you decide that.

BACK to the main point (sorry, got side tracked) you don't feel comfortable picking him up, because you believe he will flip around and bite you. This really is all in your head.

Yes, he may bite you, but don't expect it to hurt. It will feel like he's holding you. Nothing more. They just don't have the jaw strength at that age to hurt you. Your more likely to hurt him by flinching if he bites.

Second, tap him on the head. Touch his head with say a wooden spoon or finger. He should instinctively ball up (ha! "BALL python" :P), making him still, and you will be able to pick him up no problem.

Try the towel trick, put a towel over his head and pick him up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

After you get the husbandry fixed like Starmom suggests, try this for picking him up.

DON'T expect that this snake will ever enjoy being handled and "want" to come play with you. If you can put aside anything you believe the snake is feeling as far as enjoyment and emotions... I think you'll do better with this next step.

Snakes are being run by a very simple process of instincts. Baby ball pythons are scared, nervous and easily frightened. Over time, they can be worked with to make them feel more secure with you, but as it is, their "wiring" so to speak is working full time on making sure they stay alive and out of a predators mouth.

BP's seem to prefer being left alone. As constant interaction does cause stress.

I don't know how a BP bolts. Honestly, never seen a BP bolt to any side of an enclosure, but they can move at a good pace.

If you absolutely need to clean a mess up without removing him (urates, urine, poo) then do as you were before, and wait until he is on the opposite side of the enclosure. Clean what you need to, then usher him back to the other side. Repeat.

You don't need to clean out the tub or tank every week, spot cleaning will do fine. In fact, I would only do a full cleaning about once a month if it was absolutely horrendous. Do the smell test to help you decide that.

BACK to the main point (sorry, got side tracked) you don't feel comfortable picking him up, because you believe he will flip around and bite you. This really is all in your head.

Yes, he may bite you, but don't expect it to hurt. It will feel like he's holding you. Nothing more. They just don't have the jaw strength at that age to hurt you. Your more likely to hurt him by flinching if he bites.

Second, tap him on the head. Touch his head with say a wooden spoon or finger. He should instinctively ball up (ha! "BALL python" :P), making him still, and you will be able to pick him up no problem.

Try the towel trick, put a towel over his head and pick him up.

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Thank you soo much for writing all this, it's the people like you on here that actually give really good advice, and give a forum like this a good name. :gj: I really appreciate the help, and will definitely use those tips you gave me, thank you! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by starmom

Ooooops, tiny snakey in a big enclosure.
So, you might want to consider that this little snake is sort of freaked right now; even after 1.5 weeks, because it is such a big and open space!!!
Here's some ideas: Fill up the space with crumpled newspaper; fill up the space with TONS of plastic plants; fill up the space with tons of hides; purchase a much smaller environment for the snake for now.
Also, the humidity doesn't need to be that high; 50-55% is great!
So, what do you think? Let us know!
Also, sorry it sounded like people were jumping on you :(

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starmon, you definitely dont need to be sorry about jumping on me..it wasnt you :) but i took your advice, i added to his enclosure..theres really not much floor space now lol. but hopefully that works..btw i added another big branch thing lol..or whatever its called and some more plants haha :)

Just remember this is a very young snake. He cannot even begin to understand who you are and what your intentions are towards him. To him you are just a big, heat emitting thing that comes down at him from overhead. In other words, a possible predator so his instinctual need to survive drives him to seek a safe hide, to defend himself, etc. When you think of it from the snake's point of view, it's just normal behaviour really.

Be calm, be controlled, develop routines and habits of direct and calm approach, handling, cage maintenance, feeding, and so on. Do them over and over again so the snake can begin to recognize in their basic brains that you represent no real threat. Minimize the things that trigger the flight/fight response. Don't react to it and don't fear a bite. You can do a light head tap or a spritz of water at him to redirect him, you can put on gloves so he can't nail you, you can use a small towel, you can bloke a strike with an object like a flipped hide or whatever, but find what works and just calmly, quietly go about doing what needs done.

These snakes teach us patience. :)

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Just remember this is a very young snake. He cannot even begin to understand who you are and what your intentions are towards him. To him you are just a big, heat emitting thing that comes down at him from overhead. In other words, a possible predator so his instinctual need to survive drives him to seek a safe hide, to defend himself, etc. When you think of it from the snake's point of view, it's just normal behaviour really.

Be calm, be controlled, develop routines and habits of direct and calm approach, handling, cage maintenance, feeding, and so on. Do them over and over again so the snake can begin to recognize in their basic brains that you represent no real threat. Minimize the things that trigger the flight/fight response. Don't react to it and don't fear a bite. You can do a light head tap or a spritz of water at him to redirect him, you can put on gloves so he can't nail you, you can use a small towel, you can bloke a strike with an object like a flipped hide or whatever, but find what works and just calmly, quietly go about doing what needs done.

These snakes teach us patience. :)

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Thanks for the tips. :) I just fed him last night soo ill give it a few days and then try to start in a routine with everything . :gj:

Sounds like a good plan. Just work on simple, very repetitive habits with the snakes. Once they "get" it, they tend to be less defensive. Also I've noticed with our younger ones, and these new hatchlings, that they seem to be more snappy in their homes when you are first trying to touch them. Once you actually get them out, most seem to calm down if you just sit very quietly with them on your lap and don't fuss at them much. A few will still take a few jabs at you but each handling session helps that lessen with most of them. Just remember to make those handling sessions short, calm and quiet. Two good minutes is worth a lot more than 10 minutes of the snake and you freaking out I figure. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Sounds like a good plan. Just work on simple, very repetitive habits with the snakes. Once they "get" it, they tend to be less defensive. Also I've noticed with our younger ones, and these new hatchlings, that they seem to be more snappy in their homes when you are first trying to touch them. Once you actually get them out, most seem to calm down if you just sit very quietly with them on your lap and don't fuss at them much. A few will still take a few jabs at you but each handling session helps that lessen with most of them. Just remember to make those handling sessions short, calm and quiet. Two good minutes is worth a lot more than 10 minutes of the snake and you freaking out I figure. :)

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Yeahh haha :)

I'd agree with Starmom on that one.

I picked up a new tank as it was getting to be time within the next few months and I found a deal on a used one, however it was just a liiiiittle too big for li'l old Ruth.

After a day of poking around in it and flicking her tongue at everything she went straight to the warm-side hide and sat there for days, not really coming out at night at all. I went to Wal-Mart on Wednesday and picked up two fake ivy plants, put them up against the two side walls and around the hides. I don't know if she's hungry (I know she is, it's feeding day), or if the plants actually helped a lot, but she's been out to play in full force every night since, regardless of whether or not I have people over hanging out in my room or if it's just me watching a movie.

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Originally Posted by abhorrent

I'd agree with Starmom on that one.

I picked up a new tank as it was getting to be time within the next few months and I found a deal on a used one, however it was just a liiiiittle too big for li'l old Ruth.

After a day of poking around in it and flicking her tongue at everything she went straight to the warm-side hide and sat there for days, not really coming out at night at all. I went to Wal-Mart on Wednesday and picked up two fake ivy plants, put them up against the two side walls and around the hides. I don't know if she's hungry (I know she is, it's feeding day), or if the plants actually helped a lot, but she's been out to play in full force every night since, regardless of whether or not I have people over hanging out in my room or if it's just me watching a movie.

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My ball definitely has no problem coming out at night, he's out n' about every night while i lay on my bed and watch tv. He'll just sit there n' stare for a lil bit at the tv then he goes about his nightly stroll lol