A new Ball Python-- But I may have some problems

[Dangernoodel]

Hi everyone! I am new to this forum, mainly because just yesterday I got myself my first ever snake! He's a spider morph ball python, and is the cutest little thing ever. We got him all these hides, and I've been monitering and taking extra care of him. I'm a bit nervous, since its my first time ever taking care of a snake. I've done loads of research, and I could say I know the basics of how to take care of him, but reading and doing are two completely different things. Like keeping the humidity at the right levels, or keeping the temperature. We got him these three hides, one on his mat, one on the cool side by his water, and a log. I was misting his cage when I noticed that a "branch" from the plastic log hide broke off! Ensue me panicking a bit, and very gently and jumpily pushing the little guy out of the log. I'' glad I did, as some sharp pieces of the broken hide had fallen into the log with him. But now I'm worried because I've messed with him. Will he ever get unstressed now? I haven't tried feeding him yet or anything. I read you were supposed to wait at least four days before attempting feeding him, then a few days longer before handling him. But now I'm scared that I've messed up the cycle by messing with him so much, and now he's going to stress or starve himself to death. But I may just be panicking. But anyway, any help?

[Zincubus]

Don't panic ! If he looks healthy he's virtually bomb proof
Just relax and keep researching and enjoy your new obsession ( sorry hobby ! )

I leave mine for week before offering a feed then leave for a few days before handling BUT some do handle straight away and even feed the same day they arrive ....

In my opinion the humidity isn't a priority at this point , it's more crucial when or just after he goes into shed mode .

The temperature is more of an issue . What are you using to test the temps on the warm side and are you using a heat mat with a thermostat ?? What temps are showing ?? Warm and cool sides .



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[KMG]

It will be fine.

If you have a uth, is it on a tstat? If so, that's great. If not, that's not good and you need one.

[Joshyboy]

Okay first of all take a breather *phew* ball pythons can go months without food although it's not recommended nor purposely forced on the snake sometimes they refuse for weeks or months but have no fear, its normal (if they maintain weight and look overall healthy). As for stress and when to feed, I'm not sure if you asked or were told but first you want to know when your new baby last ate. If they just ate the day you got them feeding four days from now wouldn't be the best. If you don't know when he/she last ate contact the seller/breeder and ask. Then gauge it from there. As for destressing. Handling the snake from day one insnt the worst thing you can do but it's not great either, but don't worry about it. When I got my first snake the day u got it I had it out for ours and it ate the very next day. I would give em a few days to relax and explore the new environment. With temperatures I HIGHLY recommend purchasing a infrared temperature gun that can measure the most exact surface temp. You can get them on eBay or amazon fairly cheap and they are a good thing to have when you're like me and you worry about providing spot on temps. This is very important however when I first started I went to the local pet store and bought a digital thermometer with a probe and put it directly on top of the hot spot. That's the second best you can do. For humidity and ambient temp get a little square thermometer with a humidity gauge at Home Depot or a home improvement store and place it on the middle on the cage and move it around to measure the temps every so often. I keep my snakes in plastic tubs with holes drilled so humildy is very easy to maintain. Usually if the snake is shedding well, I wouldn't worry about it. If they have a bad shed, soak them in a separate plastic tub in some warm water to get it off. When I first got my snakes I freaked out too trust me. It takes time to adjust. Most likely you're most nervous than the snake . But I'm sure more advanced hobbiests will chime in. Hope I calmed your nerves a little bit.

[Dangernoodel]

I left him be for a bit, then decided to go ahead and try to feed him. I warmed up two little pinkies for him(one at first, as I was testing), and moved it by his mouth(with a pair of feeding tongs that I washed prior.) like I was told by many to do, and it almost made me let the tongs go how eager and fast he grabbed the mouse! He ate, and it makes me very happy. The store we got him didn't know the last time he ate. But I ended up giving him another pinkie(which still may of notbeen enough for him! He's a baby, but he's rather big. About a month old maybe). He was still hunting for more food after. It seems I was panicking for nothing, haha.

[Dangernoodel]

Also, I have a thing to measure temperature and one to moniter moisture level.

[Scosta56]

Pinky mice are a little to small for a ball python. Next feeding bump him up to a hopper mouse or better yet a rat pup. Other than that enjoy him , and continue doing as much research as possible on them. Super fun and easy snakes to keep. I have 9 of them. Ranging from pied to albino to blade clown and a couple other morphs I enjoy. Been keeping these guys almost 8 years now best pet snakes ever. Good luck with him.

[KMG]

I sure hope that by ignoring my comment it means you have a thermostat on the under tank heater. If not you will be dealing with more than a stressed snake.

Like stated above a pinky is much to small for a BP. I vote a rat pup as well.

[Dangernoodel]

Sorry, I didn't mean to ignore your comment. Yes! We have an under tank heater(though my sister put it in the middle of the tank >-< and it's glued. Luckily there's a big patch of cool spots though, and I situated one of my three hides for him in the cool section to promote him to autoregulate his temperature). And I also have a thermostat!

[Dangernoodel]

I do not have one on the under tank heater though! How do I go about doing that?