Baby ball not using tongue
I’m a little worried about my new baby ball. I picked him up 4 days ago, and since then I haven’t seen him flick his tongue. I double checked my temps and humidity and everything is spot on. Hot side 92, cool side 80, ambient 78, humidity is 65%. I read it could be due to RI or mouth rot and I checked him for both and no signs. I haven’t attempted feeding yet, as I was going to give him a week to settle in. On top of the tongue thing, he never leaves his hide. I’ve done a lot of reading and people say a happy ball python is hiding, but I just wanted to get yall’s opinion on everything.
Re: Baby ball not using tongue
They often won't flick their tongue when they're scared. He's so new that there's no real reason to think that it's anything but him being scared of you and not wanting to be seen if you see no other problems. Just leave him alone for now.
Re: Baby ball not using tongue
Thanks! That makes me worry a lot less. I do have another question though. I will be transporting him back to school with me in a few days, and I wasn’t sure if I should try and feed him before I move him or if I should wait a week after I move him to try and feed? I know they’re finicky little guys so I want to give him (and myself) the best shot at a successful feed.
Re: Baby ball not using tongue
Definitely just wait with that short of a timeline between bringing him home and moving him again. Unless he's particularly underweight, waiting longer isn't an issue. Him getting freaked out enough to regurge would be, even if it's relatively unlikely.