couple of questions?

[Nick_bp]

Hey, i have had a ball python before but i was much younger and i got rid of it cuz it bit me. but now that im older i really wanted one so i bought one a couple of days ago. its about 2 monhs old and is a lil over a foot. she has actualy had her first frozen pinkie mouse already. she is not very active and stays in the same spot for the whole night. she doesnt explore a whole lot either. she will move a lil but then she stops and stays completely still for long periods of time or untill i touch or move her. is this normal? also she has like this slit on the bottom of her stomach that is like a quater of the way down her body towards her tail and i would say its like a half inch long, does anybody know what this is or could be? thanx for the help

[snakesRkewl]

The slit is where the umbilical cord was

What is her set up like, how is it heated, as much info on it as possible including pictures would help.

[llovelace]

Welcome to BP.net, I hope she has had more than a pinky to eat if she's a couple months old. try giving her mouse hoppers every 5-7 days. The slit on her belly is where the umbilicus was attached while she was in the egg.
Look over the care sheets they will give you all the info you'll need for caring for your new girl

[Lolo76]

A pinky mouse is WAY too small for a BP... try a hopper mouse next time, unless you think she's abnormally small. As for her activity level, that seems perfectly normal for a ball - they are very shy snakes, who spend like 90% of their life hiding. So unless she seems listless or weak, I wouldn't worry much about it. In fact, a lazy BP is usually a happy one! Got pictures of her?

[Lolo76]

Oh yeah, and welcome to BP.net!!

[Nick_bp]

oh ok. will it go away or just stay there?
ok its a 10 gallon tank. i have astro turf as the substrate and it has a heating pad under the half log hide away. i have a 60 watt dome lamp. and the hot side of he cage stays about 82 to 85 and the cool side satys a solid 78 to 80 and the humidity goes back and forth from 40 to 53.

[llovelace]

Yes it will heal over, loose the heat lamp, it destroys the humidity. Get rid of the half log & get a regular hide. The astroturf mat harbours bacteria, use aspen or paper as a substrate

[Nick_bp]

i dont have to use the heat lamp at all? alright thanx everybody! you have all been a big help.

[Lolo76]

i dont have to use the heat lamp at all?

Not unless it's really cold in the room... otherwise the under-tank heater provides all the warmth they need. What are you using to measure and control the temps?

[Nick_bp]

i have two temperature gauges(not digital) at both ends of the tank. there about half way inbetween the top and bottom of the cage. and there is a heated pad under one side. and i just switched from astroturf to aspen substrate. i keep my fan on high all the time but her cage stays about 82 to 85 on the warm side and about 77 to 81 on the cool side