I have a question about my new Ball Python.

[Lubbie]

Hi i just got my first BP and love her. Still trying to figure her out. i got her on friday she has already eaten a frozen/thawed mouse horray. But my question is she has not come out of her hide unless i take her out to hold. Not that i`ve seen anyway.Is this normal? The tank temps are 81 deg on the hot side and 78 deg on the other side. i keep the heat light on from 8am-9pm. Any Advice would be nice. Thank you in advance.

[Trackstrong83]

First of all your temp on the hot side needs to be around 90.

And a hiding ball python is a happy one. Leave her be, they will hide all day.

Take a look at this
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

[KMG]

If you just got her you should let her settle in and not handle her for at least 5 to 7 days. BP are nocturnal but even at night they will only come out for a short time, usually just to go from one hide to the other or get a drink. Don't expect to see your BP moving about. If you do that is a sign of stress. Hiding is what they do.

I took the tank temps as ambient. Are they ambient (air) or surface?

[Lubbie]

The temps are from those thermometers that stick to the side of a glass tank. Thanks for the reply's.

[KMG]

If you mean the strip type of thermometer they are not very good to use as a main gauge. I would suggest buying a IR temp gun(Amazon $20). That way you can see what your surface temps are. Just because the air temp is good that does not mean your surface temps are correct.

Also after feeding most snakes do not move for 3-4 days. During this time do not handle it. Handling could cause it to regurgitate it's meal which is very taxing on your snake.

[Lubbie]

Thank you so much.I really want her to be happy and well taken care of. This is a great site.

[John1982]

You BP will probably do alright in those settings but if you could bump the ambient range by +5 or so it would really thrive.