Paranoid or just not cut out for this?

[kath_]

I either have to be the most paranoid BP owner ever or I really have no idea what I'm doing.
If any of you read my other thread earlier today about heating questions, I made a big mistake and didn't have my UTH hooked up to a thermostat to maintain the temperature. Fortunately I was able to run out to the nearest pet store and get a Zoo Med Hydrotherm and now the hot side of Buddy's tank has been staying at a stable 90 all night.
I guess I've just been in a freaked out, paranoid parent kind of mood ever since. I've been getting up to check all the temperatures and humidity probably once at least every half hour and they seem to be fine (Cool side: 80 degrees, Hot side 90 degrees, Humidity is at 70% since he's going through shed).
I've just never had a pet like this ever in my life, and while it has been the most exciting and rewarding one so far, I keep having doubts that I'm doing something wrong or that he's uncomfortable and I just don't know because I'm still so new to reading snakes. These forums have been incredibly helpful in answering questions and letting me know what I can do better or when I'm doing something wrong. I don't know. It's just a number of little things that are nagging me.
For one thing, Buddy didn't eat last Friday, but his eyes turned blue two days later indicating a shed, which may be why he didn't want to eat. Him missing a meal so soon has me worried. But I also know BPs going off feed is very common and doesn't necessarily mean they're sick or stressed, they're just not hungry. But I still can't help but worry.
He hasn't been very active at all recently and staying put in his hides, which I'm assuming is a good sign, but he did come out a little tonight for a couple minutes and I swear I saw a single mite crawling around on him. Great. It hasn't even been a month and there's mites. I don't even understand how that happened. He hasn't been soaking at all in his water dish so I thought everything was ok. I don't want to handle him until he sheds but after the shed I'm planning to completely clean his cage and use Provent-A-Mite to just de-mite it completely. Maybe even soak Buddy in some water and Reptile Relief.
Maybe it's just a bad day and I'm feeling down on myself but I can't seem to relax and trust that I'm doing a good job because I don't know for sure if I am or not.
Here is my current setup in a 10 gallon tank.
Buddy is still young so the person I got him from recommended a smaller enclosure until he's older. Please let me know if you see anything that doesn't look right.
I guess I'm just looking for advice to make this a new BP ownership a little less stressful or to let me know if I'm not doing something correctly.

[Mangiapane85]

Just relax. Your husbandry is good. ... ball pythons LOVE their hide spots. Some don't eat while in shed. One of mine won't, another one of mine will. It just varies snake to snake. .. once he's shed, look him over really good for mites. Check his water bowl to see if there are any in it, because if he has mites, he will try and drown them... but the key is to just remain calm. Seems like you're doing everything that you should be doing.


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[kath_]

Phew ok. I'll try to calm down. I planned so long and researched a lot before finally getting him so I guess now that he's actually here's its a little overwhelming. It can get confusing sometimes because while basic husbandry is the same across the board, it feels like every herp owner has their own method of doing things. One of the vets I talked to before getting him recommended a Zoo Med probe thermometer while people on here recommended a Acurite thermometer. One person on the forums said I'd be ok handling him for ten minutes a day (minus two days after feeding and during shed) to get him used to it while another said that was too much and to handle him once a week for ten minutes for the next several months. Everyone's snakes seem happy and healthy so no source seems more reputable than the other which makes it even more confusing as to what I should do in specific scenarios.

[Mangiapane85]

You're looking TOO MUCH into it I think.. yes, everyone has different methods and tactics. But we also all have different snakes. The snake will "talk" to you. Just have to read it. .. I personally don't even use a thermometer in any of my snakes tubs. I trust the thermostats to work and I spot check with the IR gun.


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[kath_]

Different ways but different snakes is a great way of putting it. Thanks. I feel a lot better now.

[dkatz4]

I totally feel you, I'm pretty new myself, got my boa in march, and for a month at least my enjoyment to stress ratio was like 50:50 at best. Your setup looks good, little oopsie regarding the thermostat, but looks like no harm done. Re eating, my boa won't eat during a shed cycle, and he is a varitable Cookie Monster otherwise so don't sweat it. With the mites, I can't judge without seeing, but my understanding is that they are very tiny and hard to see from afar, before you bug bomb the tank, be sure you didn't just see a gnat or something that got into the cage (but better safe than sorry, so use your best judgment on this one). Most significantly, let me assure you that you will learn to read your snake. When I was stressing about feeding schedules people kept telling me to feed him when he's hungry, and I'm like, "how the hell am I supposed to know when he's hungry!?" Well about 7 months later I can tell when he's hungry, or grumpy, or happy (not to get too anthropomorphic). Creating and maintaining a little box of tropical jungle in your house is not easy, but once you get it dialed in, your stress will go down and you confidence up and that's when you'll realize that getting a pet snake was a great decision.

[kath_]

Oh god I'm sorry you had to be stressed out too but it's a relief to know that I'm not the only one worrying about doing things wrong. Thank you so much though. Having support from people on the forum is extremely helpful and I'm really grateful for the community here. I think for now I should relax a little, keep up the good husbandry, and quit worrying. I'm assuming being able to read my snake will just come with time and experience.

[treaux]

It looks like you're doing things just fine. It takes a while to wrap your head around how these little creatures work, but it will happen eventually. They also tend to get better as they grow, so just sit back and relax and enjoy your snake.

[Yzmasmom]

It's normal. I have OCD and Ave blown up ppl's inboxes with questions. All to find my snakes are happy and healthy.
I'd guess the missed meal was due to impending shed. My adult gets cranky and hides for her entire shed process.
When not in shed, a hiding snake is a happy snake.
Do you have an identical hide on both sides of the tank? (I couldn't tell,) and if not, that's the only suggestion I'd make.
(Also, wait for 3-4 feeds before handling, just one very them plenty of time to adjust.) I got a hatchling BEL on the 14th and till haven't held her. I want to, but want her settled first.

[lawnchaircrisis]

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one like this! I constantly stress out about every little thing with my ball pythons, mainly because I know they can't communicate their needs and desires to me like a dog or a cat could. I've now had balls for over 4 years and a few little things I picked up (at least with mine):

• Ball pythons are weird and unpredictable. You can have the perfect temperature gradient and flawless humidity, but they will still choose to sit on top of their hides sometimes or use a hide they've never liked before. Don't worry about it as long as the parameters of their environment are fine.
• They won't starve themselves to death. If your bp is an adult with a history of eating fairly well and is healthy, don't worry about it. Offer food occasionally and they'll start eating again sooner or later. It's not unsual for them to stop eating for 3-4 months in the winter, and somehow they always come out of it just fine.
• If you hear raspy breathing or a whistle sound, check whether they're going into a shed before automatically assuming it's a respiratory infection. A loose scale in the nostril area can cause this sound, and will cost you a $150 vet visit to figure it out.
• Every animal is different and will have different preferences for eating, hides and exploring. Just because your python acts differently than someone else's doesn't mean something is wrong with it.
• Keep up with your animal husbandry skills. If you take a proactive approach to your snake's health and well being, it will pay off in terms of their health and allow you to prevent or stop small problems before they become large life threatening issues.

From one paranoid snake owner to another, hope this helps