Just a question about my new ball

[Rumples.]

Hello I just got a three month old male ball python. His name is Rumples. Anyways my questions deal with shedding and behavior.

Behavior: So rumples has been acting really weird. For example when ever I try and hold him which I haven’t been very often because he is having a bad shed and he has only fed once with me. Whenever I try and take him out of his enclosure he backs away and then when I am actually holding him he is fine. Then with his shed it had not been coming off in one piece so I was soaking him then when I would take him out of the tub he would try and get away from me. And I know that is just because he is stressed. But will that go away or is he always going to be like that? Also what can I do to make not do that to handle him?

Shedding: So like I said earlier he is having a bad shed and I tried everything to get the humidity up but that is not working. So what are some tips of how I can make it easier because rumples has been in the same shed for about a week and two days.


Also dealing with behavior whenever he ever he goes into the tub where I soak him he stands straight up and i heard of stargazing and I am worried about that.



Sorry for all the words

[redshepherd]

If you're doing everything you can and humidity can't increase, and I'm assuming you're using a glass tank, then you'll need to get a new setup... like a pvc enclosure or a tub. They maintain humidity much better than tanks.

Soaking can be very stressful, so you need to get a new setup where the humidity can stay at where it should be (70%+ during sheds), and you never need to soak again.

The behaviors you first describe are normal, just a normal shy young ball python.

[Bogertophis]

Snakes don't like soaking in tubs, so I doubt that what he's doing is actually "stargazing" but just wanting to get out & looking for a way...

Be sure the water feels a bit cool ("lukewarm") to your touch, as we are 98.6* and if it feels warm to us, it's TOO HOT for a snake.

The other reason snakes don't like soaking is the lack of traction. Water should never be deeper than the top of their body...they shouldn't have to be swimming, only soaking.

What substrate are you using in his cage? That makes all the difference to keep the humidity up, also the type of heat you're using.

His hesitation & stress about being held is normal...snakes are shy. You need to concentrate on him feeding routinely for you before you do any un-essential handling. (not talking about helping him shed, but putting him into a warmish & very damp towel -in a container- might be better than actually trying to soak him)

Be patient...snakes do learn to associate us with feeling safe, or feeling scared. The only thing that picks up a snake in the wild is normally a predator that's going to eat him. So, be patient...he's still learning.

[Taying]

Hello I just got a three month old male ball python. His name is Rumples. Anyways my questions deal with shedding and behavior.

Behavior: So rumples has been acting really weird. For example when ever I try and hold him which I haven’t been very often because he is having a bad shed and he has only fed once with me. Whenever I try and take him out of his enclosure he backs away and then when I am actually holding him he is fine. Then with his shed it had not been coming off in one piece so I was soaking him then when I would take him out of the tub he would try and get away from me. And I know that is just because he is stressed. But will that go away or is he always going to be like that? Also what can I do to make not do that to handle him?

Shedding: So like I said earlier he is having a bad shed and I tried everything to get the humidity up but that is not working. So what are some tips of how I can make it easier because rumples has been in the same shed for about a week and two days.


Also dealing with behavior whenever he ever he goes into the tub where I soak him he stands straight up and i heard of stargazing and I am worried about that.



Sorry for all the words

How long have you had him? Moving to a new home and enclosure is stressful even without shedding, so they do best with an adjustment period with limited handling. Most recommend that he eat 2-3 times to let him settle in before any handling, especially since he's a little baby.

Is your hydrometer located under a heat lamp? If so, it could give falsely low humidity reading, it's better to have hydrometers throughout the cage to monitor. If you have a hydrometer and it's not under a heat lamp and is showing low humidity readings, try covering the top of the tank (assuming its screened) with cardboard and/or shrink wrap so that its 75% covered. Consider using coconut husk mulch or coconut fiber as a substrate if you don't already. Coconut husk holds moisture much better. Placing the water dish under a heat lamp or over a heat mat can also increase evaporation and consequently the humidity. I'd consider buying a sphagnum moss to put in the tank too as it provides a good hide and holds moisture really well. They sell blocks of it on amazon for really cheap, and a block can go a long way once expanded with water.

Congrats on the new snake and you chose an adorable name. And the fact that hes new and not striking you is a good sign that he'll be easy to handle when older. A lot of babies and juveniles strike when they're in a new environment and being approached, and BPs are known to get grumpy when shedding so Rumples must have a really good temperment!

[MR Snakes]

Congrats on the new snek. He's scared because everything is new to him. He will calm down. Oh, and welcome!