Baby Ball Python Extremely Active. Normal?

[Tasier]

Hello! I'm pretty new to these forums so I'm not sure how everything works :)

I recently purchased a 6 month old ball python from a reptile expo hosted down here in October. Within the last two weeks she has become oddly very active and I'm worried she is feeling stressed or perhaps something is wrong.
She is being held in a 40 gallon tank with a three hides. Two being on the hot side of the tank (around 89 degrees Fahrenheit) and the other being on the cool side. Her bedding is the Aspen Snake Bedding from ZooMed and she has a big water bowl that she can soak in if she needs to.
In regards to her eating schedule my ball python eats once a week. She ate last Monday and I'm going to feed her again soon. I'm currently feeding her small mice since they are about the same size as the biggest part of her stomach.
The humidity in her tank usually sits round 50-53%. Her tank is in my room which is always quiet and there isn't any foot traffic other than when I interact with her or clean the bedding.

She is a very sweet ball python and has never acted aggressive towards me. When I got her I seen she was a little active but now she is constantly roaming. She will sleep in her hides but whenever she is awake she roams the tank throughout the night and now even during the mornings.
Perhaps I'm a little paranoid but I want to give her the best home and since this is my first snake and I just need a little advice!

Thank you!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

If the animal is active during the day than yes there is an issue and it is more than likely due to husbandry issues which can build up over time.

BP should spend 80% of it's time hiding and only come out at night.

[mom_of_bananachip]

If she is roaming at night, that is pretty normal since they are nocturnal.

I had a new girl arrive weeks ago and put her in a 20 gallon tank - she is about 6 months old. She would be active throughout the day. When I gave her a 6 qt plastic shoe box set up, she definitely calmed down. I've had another one where I would have to block the sides of the box, because they would be active with ANYONE coming into the room.

A

[BR8080]

If the animal is active during the day than yes there is an issue and it is more than likely due to husbandry issues which can build up over time.

BP should spend 80% of it's time hiding and only come out at night.

Sorry, first timer with a question...
If the snake isn't hiding but basking on top of a hide log (habba hut) is that normal?

Thanks Deborah, I look forward to future purchase from you at sometime down the road.

[Yzmasmom]

40 gallons is way too big for a young snake. They like to be crowded and hidden. I have my 3.5 month old in a 20 gal and even that is too large for some young BP'S, (fortunately, mine is very laid back and I crowded it with vines and trees, so she's been fine.)

Her humidity is ok but even between 55% to 65% would be good. (Higher in sheds.)

What is her hot spot at and what is her cold spot at? If you use an UTH, do you have a thermostat to regulate it.

Try switching to rats, as they are nutritionally whole, where as mice areally not.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Sorry, first timer with a question...
If the snake isn't hiding but basking on top of a hide log (habba hut) is that normal?

Thanks Deborah, I look forward to future purchase from you at sometime down the road.

Depends on the type of enclosure depends on the size of the animal.

In a glass enclosure a young animal (hatchling or juvy) would not expose itself in the open during the day. Now if the animal is in a tub which already provide security it would not be abnormal.

Adults may at time not use hides.

The bottom line something is only truly an issue if the animal becomes agressive, refuses to feed, or is over active and trying to escape all the time.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Tasier]

I put a whole bunch of items in the tank (hides, decorations, ect.) so she can curl up and stay out of sight. She was fine and never showed any signs of stress until after she had shed, which is when this roaming started happening.
I can try switching to the rats like you said but I'm a little worried since she is so small. She will bask in the hot spot which sits around 89 degrees (on top of her hide)

[Tasier]

I guess to add on, my ball python isn't aggressive and she eats wonderfully. Her tongue flickers as if she is very aware of her surroundings and overall seems like a really healthy snake. The roaming didn't start till recently after I have had her for a month.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I guess to add on, my ball python isn't aggressive and she eats wonderfully. Her tongue flickers as if she is very aware of her surroundings and overall seems like a really healthy snake. The roaming didn't start till recently after I have had her for a month.

Again you can keep an animal the same way for month however stress can build over time and an BP that are extremely active is a stressed animal, it is up to YOU to figure out why and how to solve it and in the majority of cases it is husbandry related.