Ball Python - Behavior Issue (Running scared, randomly)

[Kamille Kirkendoll]

We adopted our Ball about a month ago, we let him acclimate (he didn't show signs of being stressed), and we've had no behavior problems until now.

He LOVED being out, and he would always 'test' his enclosure, which is when I would take him out to roam on the bed (which he has always enjoyed).

Recently, however, I NEVER see him out of his hide (I'm nocturnal, too, so it isn't because he's not out during the day). Today, he randomly came out around 8:40 a.m. (7 minutes ago), and as soon as he saw me, lashed back into his hide, then after a minute or so came back out...looked around...then retreated back into his hide...backwards, against his scales.

I'm at a loss. Apollo, our Corn is in shed (which is why his hiding out is understandable), and so is Aaliyah, our Beardie, but Basil's eyes are nowhere near blue, and his scales look the same as ever.

Help? :/ His humidity (50-60 always), temp (90-96), and he was fed a couple of days ago (feeding went fine, despite his hermitness). He's in a 40 gallon breeder with a large heat mat on bottom and a small one on the side to maintain his basking spot. He only has one hide (previous owner's set-up), and we intend to get him another (his hide runs about $40), and he's had this set-up for quite a few years. The only change we've made recently is a rheostat for his heating mat. His temp. would get to 114 degrees, and he'd have to leave his hide numerous times throughout the day to regulate his temp.

Thanks in advance for all the help!

[ballpythonluvr]

96 is a tad to warm for him. Try to get that temp down to 88-92. It is very normal for a snake to behave like this. My male normal always quickly retreats to his hide when he sees me. He does like to be out and about when I handle him but he is very head shy also.

[Inknsteel]

You definitely need to better regulate that heat. Rheostats will allow the temperatures to fluctuate greatly with changes in the external room temps. But something else to understand is that a hiding ball python is a happy ball python. These are not super-active snakes. When your bp's needs are being met, it will spend 95% of its time in a hide...

[Kamille Kirkendoll]

You definitely need to better regulate that heat. Rheostats will allow the temperatures to fluctuate greatly with changes in the external room temps. But something else to understand is that a hiding ball python is a happy ball python. These are not super-active snakes. When your bp's needs are being met, it will spend 95% of its time in a hide...

This makes perfect sense. When his mats were unregulated, he was out all of the time. Now, however, he's always hidden. Thanks. He's not hostile when held, so I suppose I'm merely overreacting. I'm used to Corns!

[Kamille Kirkendoll]

96 is a tad to warm for him. Try to get that temp down to 88-92. It is very normal for a snake to behave like this. My male normal always quickly retreats to his hide when he sees me. He does like to be out and about when I handle him but he is very head shy also.

His previous owner had him for about 3 years with the temp. reaching about 114 easy, and while this was horrible, I didn't want to lower his temp. too much from what he was used to. Also, I've read several books on Balls (http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Python-He...ref=pd_sim_b_3) which suggest a basking spot of about 95, as well as several care sheets (http://www.reptilechannel.com/care-s...ll-python.aspx for example), which all suggest 86-95 for temp. Thanks for your concern!