Being fair about PetSmart (and buying your ball python from them)

[m3gz]

Poor thing T~T i wasnt trying to stress her i was just trying to get her weight. Which is correct, i tested my scale again on a 1lb thing of meat. So you think they lied about her feeding schedule???

[predatorkeeper87]

Poor thing T~T i wasnt trying to stress her i was just trying to get her weight. Which is correct, i tested my scale again on a 1lb thing of meat. So you think they lied about her feeding schedule???

no but its petsmart and petco policy to only feed pinkies from what I understand, so while she may have been eating, she wasn't eating NEARLY enough for a BP.

[m3gz]

Adding those to list then, about how many should i pick up for the next couple weeks you think?

[predatorkeeper87]

and it isn't your fault, you are new to the snake game. BP's, as well as most snakes really, don't show affection. They tolerate us and come to learn that we are giant moving heat trees that drop rats from the sky. They eventually grow to tolerate the holdings and general humanly things we do, but can still become easily stressed outside of their preferred environment which in this case in her tank. BP's especially are nervous little noodles.

[predatorkeeper87]

Adding those to list then, about how many should i pick up for the next couple weeks you think?

I would have a month or two supply on hand. Rodents freeze well if packaged right. Do you have any small pet shops or reptile shops around you? Buying from them is much preferred as I'd hate to see you spend 30 dollars on like 8 pinkies lol especially if she starts refusing meals and you have to throw them out. Petsmart's frozen rodents are so ridiculously priced.

[m3gz]

I really didn't handle her much other than when i set up her tank, and tried to get her weight...they said give her 3-4 days to adjust before trying to get her used to me. I hate seeing any animal in pain is her belly supposed to feel bony btw? i just made it past page 23 of "ball python care and health" google search

[m3gz]

There is one, but you should see the reviews on it...from what i hear their animals all die within a month or two....its sad really

[predatorkeeper87]

I really didn't handle her much other than when i set up her tank, and tried to get her weight...they said give her 3-4 days to adjust before trying to get her used to me. I hate seeing any animal in pain is her belly supposed to feel bony btw? i just made it past page 23 of "ball python care and health" google search

when you hold them they should feel like...a tube of muscle haha. they should feel pretty firm in your hands.


I don't want to throw another suggestion at you as I can see you are getting overwhelmed here but you also might want to look into getting a sterelite tub for her down the line rather than a glass tank. I know you just spent the cash on all the stuff but the reason I suggest a 10 dollar plastic tub instead is the ease of humidity and heat requirements compared to a screen top tank.

[Craiga 01453]

You're not doing anything wrong, you simply don't know. Again, we were ALL new once. Try to take a deep breath, your snake will be fine. As Predator Keeper said, just get her in her enclosure and let her be. Don't touch the enclosure until it's time to make some husbandry changes and/or feed her. BPs are an extremely nervous species of snake and do stress easily, which would be why she is striking. It is simply defensive at this point due to stress. She will mellow out pretty quickly.
Try to get a few meals in her before handling her again. Obviously, if you need to move her to make adjustments in her enclosure you can, just keep it minimal.
Please don't stress yourself out, you're doing fine. You're at least on here asking questions and you seem to be eager to take advice and make things right for your snake. I truly believe your snake is in good hands and will thrive in your care once you've got the kinks worked out and you're a bit more educated. Just keep reading, keep learning, and don't be afraid to ask questions. We are here to help you and your animal.

[m3gz]

I was told to go with the glass one because it gets really humid in the area we have her, im baking/cooking almost constantly its almost a sauna haha. But you think she'll be ok???