New parent!

[toriwixom]

I am brand new to being a snake parent! I just adopted my first Ball Python this past weekend and I have so many questions! I work at Petsmart and I have been eyeing her (him?) for almost a month and one day I just couldn't stop myself! I did a bunch of research, but maybe you guys can help me?

1. I want to know if its a boy or a girl! I know that probing is the most efficient way to determine the gender but I don't want to spend the money on a trip to the vet! UGH!

2. I want to know how old it is! My coworkers at Petsmart didn't know its age and I cant find any references online so I'm hoping someone could give me a rough age estimate.

3. How can I keep things stress free? In case it gets stressed or something goes wrong (that doesn't require immediate vet attention), what should I do to keep the peace?

4. How should I deal with shedding? It is getting ready to shed soon and I since it just got here, I want to make everything go as smoothly and stress free as possible!

5. Any tips or advice? I know the basics, but there is no such thing as too much advice so if there is anything I should know or just some cool information please let me know!

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[toriwixom]

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[rlditmars]

If you ask on here and can find someone that knows how to pop for gender and lives nearby, they may be able to help you determine the gender.

Actual age is impossible but if the snake was fed properly and has had no medical setbacks, it is safe to assume it is 6 months old or less based on size. All in all it looks to be in pretty good condition other than a little dried out looking.

Keeping it stress free is relatively easy with proper husbandry. At his size you don't want anything larger than a 10 gal tank to start. Give him a warm side using a UTH that is regulated with a thermostat, two hides,(one on the warm side and one on the cool), a bowl of water, and I would start off using white paper towel for substrate until you've had it a while and are certain it's mite free.

As far as shedding, as soon as I see my snakes are going into shed, (either dulled color or pink belly) I use a spray bottle and mist them twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening. It doesn't require a total soaking but I like to see the water beaded up on the snakes back. Try to make certain you get the face too as the head is probably the most prone to being too dry to get a good start on the shed. IF they she and it isn't complete, just put them in a wetted pillowcase, tie it off, and let them crawl around in it for an hour or so. That usually helps them slough off any of the remaining dry skin.

Congrats and best of luck to you.

[EDR]

Congrats on your good looking normal. It looks like it could gain some weight but i'm sure you'll take care of that. I'd try rats pups with him if you can get them alive or frozen.

But to answer your questions.

1. If its from pet smart its probably a male. So i'd assume its one until i got it sexed.

2. Age? young. I'd guess it was born this year or late last year.

3. If its in a tank cover the back and sides with whatever you want. Give him at least one hide but go for two and clutter the tank up with fake plants. I think you get the idea.

4. Like riditmars said spray it twice a day and that should be good enough humidity. Also i only spray mine when they are shedding. But i keep mine in tubs so they have better over all humidity.

5. If its in a tank cover like 80-85% of the screen top with what ever you got duck tape, plexiglass, foil. Also all ways get a thermostate to regulate the heat pad.

That's about it for me i'll let others fill you in a bit. I think you'll do a good job with him. Good for you on taking the little guy in. I have mixed feelings about pets smart and petco but it's ultimately your right and decision to buy what you want.

[Craiga 01453]

Congrats on your first snake and welcome to the forum. You've found a great place to learn.

As for where to start, I suggest reading the basic husbandry stickies on this forum. They will answer a lot of your questions in one simple place.

1) Probing and popping can both be done to determine the sex of the animal. But PLEASE don't attempt either. Please let somebody experienced do it for you.

2) Age is almost impossible to guess accurately. I would say early 2017 though, but can't get much more accurate than that.

3) Stress free: Start with proper husbandry you will learn in the stickies. Husbandry is the most important thing for BPs. Proper temps, humidity, hides, etc... are hugely important. A BP needs to feel safe and secure so proper hides, covering the sides of the enclosure, fake plants, etc... go a long way.
- Also, refrain from handling for AT LEAST a week. I personally don't handle any new snakes until they have eaten three consecutive meals without refusal.

4) When a BP goes into shed it is important to keep your humidity bumped up a little higher to about 70-75%. Misting the enclosure helps, adding damp sphagnum moss inside the hides helps, a damp towel laid on top of hides helps, and additional water dish helps. There are lots of ways to bump humidity. Remember though, a proper shed starts with proper husbandry. Bumping humidity during the actual shed process helps, but proper husbandry is your best friend.

5) Read, read, read. Learn, learn, learn. The more you know about your animal, the better you can care for it. Don't be afraid to ask questions, we are here to help. Pay attention to who the knowledgeable, experienced keepers are and learn from them. Remember, not everything you read is true, so, consider the source when learning. With forums and groups like these it's easy to regurgitate info, but nothing speaks like experience and genuine knowledge. That being said, there are more than one right way to do things, so experiment with different things to find what works best for you and your animal.

Hope I helped, feel free to ask any more questions you may have.
Good luck with your new pet!

P.S. I saw something in a reply above about tape. VERY important to NEVER put tape inside the enclosure. Sticky substances like tape and snakes DO NOT mix. I know the member who typed that knows this, but I want to make sure it is clear to a beginner.

[EDR]

P.S. I saw something in a reply above about tape. VERY important to NEVER put tape inside the enclosure. Sticky substances like tape and snakes DO NOT mix. I know the member who typed that knows this, but I want to make sure it is clear to a beginner.

I'm not trying to be defensive but i just want to clarify. I meant duck tape the top outside of the screen top which i'm sure poses no threat. And yes craig is right never put tape IN the enclosure.

[Craiga 01453]

I'm not trying to be defensive but i just want to clarify. I meant duck tape the top outside of the screen top which i'm sure poses no threat. And yes craig is right never put tape IN the enclosure.

I knew you knew, just making sure beginners knew too

[EDR]

Gotcha no problem.