Help! I found a ball python in the wild

[straydog1980]

he's already responding to the heater!!! He poked his little head out and has got it facing the little doorway into his "hide" so he can see out. Should I be seeing his little tongue flick out? I guess that's just what I expect snakes to do and he isn't doing that. Is that ok?

[steveboos]

Well you just got him, he will start to smell his surroundings a stuff once he warms up. Right now his main concern is warming up, then he will check out his new place. Your doing a great job with the stuff you already have, just keep checking on him and don't hold him, he will get used to everything.

Stephen.

[straydog1980]

You are doing a great job! There's a lot to learn in a short time. Heat and humidity are all you need to worry about right now. It is important that the two ends of the tank are two different temps. 90 warm end and 80 cool end is ideal.

You could just slide the tank off the end of the table just a bit so the heater is underneath about a foot or so of one end of the tank. And tape some dark paper to a couple of sides of the tank for security.

Keep up the good work!

thanks! I did what you suggested and turned on it's side and scooted it a little off the desk, but not too much. Hope that helps!

[Danounet]

They dont flick their tongues when resting, just when they move and look around. When you feed him one day you will see real flicking. When you handle them, they flick their thogues too. Hmm pretty much when they are resting is the only time I dont see them flick their thongues.

[WingedWolfPsion]

That looks great--if your heater has a thermostat, make sure it doesn't go above 90F, temperatures higher than that can be dangerous.

Yes, I didn't even notice the dirt in there--get rid of the dirt, sand is very drying, and plain newspaper is much easier to deal with, and a lot more sanitary. Snakes actually pee quite a lot, and that would make quite a stink with a dirt substrate.

[icygirl]

Wow, good for you rescuing the ball python! Here are a few good things to know:

-Ball pythons are harmless snakes - not venomous - and rarely bite.
-They come from Africa and are popular as pets.
-It was probably someone's escaped pet, and would probably have died in the "wild" on its own.
-It probably won't bite, and if it does, you'll get a scratch the size of a papercut. (If it worries you, wear gloves.)
-It looks like a juvenile. They do not grow all that large (only a few feet long at most).
-It's totally NORMAL for ball pythons to stay in their hides most of the time.
-They can go a long time without eating. You are right to make its comfort the #1 priority, and feeding 2nd.
-It is perfectly fine to use newspaper or paper towels for substrate! Many of our members do just that. It really cuts down on costs.

As for heating, check these out:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/flexwatt-heat-tape/
You can get an 11" square, with wire/clip/insulator step, for around $10. You'll need some kind of dimmer switch or thermostat to plug into it though, as they get too hot by themselves.

Good luck and welcome to the hobby I hope you enjoy these snakes as much as we all do.

[Deacon240]

You've done a great job with what resources you have available to you. Get it on some newsprint or paper towels. Walmarts typically have accurite thermometers/hydrometers that measure temps in two places and humidity for cheap. I'd recommend getting one of those if you can budget it in. Hell... I need at least two more now.

Ball pythons beat the hell out of cats and other furry creatures as pets c:

[straydog1980]

He/she is doing well and in a good mood this morning! Exploring the terrarium.

[straydog1980]

HELLO! I want to put my hand in there and replace his/her water but I'm still scared of getting bit!

[straydog1980]