Ball Python Enclosure Help.

[ArcaneTB]

So I got access to a 5 gallon tank, but the bp I got turned out to be longer than I originally thought. I had it in the 5 gallon for about 2 weeks. The bp length fully stretched out is a little longer than the length of tank which around 16 inches. The first day I got it, it was constantly roaming & climbing the sides of the glass. By the 2nd it settled down for about 5 - 6 days then started again, so I fed it a small mice (the store recommended it). It ate and returned to normal for a few days, then started roaming again and has been doing it constantly now. it occasionally rests in the cool side hide which is a half log (didn't know at first this was a bad idea) and never seems to mess with the hot side. for the hot side it's just a bowl. at the time I didn't know 2 hides were mandatory. The water bowl is just the container it came in. I'll be upgrading everything soon. I'm just worried about my snake constantly roaming and trying to escape. maybe the enclosure is too small? The temps are good, humidity is fine. I have a reptitherm uth plugged into a thermostat. Thermometer for ambient temp and a temperature gun. Why might my snake be stressed? I feel like it's too small and I plan on moving it to a sterilite tub (single tub, no rack) with latches but I don't know what size. Any help? Don't hold back. I'm trying to get it right!

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[ArcaneTB]

So I got access to a 5 gallon tank, but the bp I got turned out to be longer than I originally thought. I had it in the 5 gallon for about 2 weeks. The bp length fully stretched out is a little longer than the length of tank which around 16 inches. The first day I got it, it was constantly roaming & climbing the sides of the glass. By the 2nd it settled down for about 5 - 6 days then started again, so I fed it a small mice (the store recommended it). It ate and returned to normal for a few days, then started roaming again and has been doing it constantly now. it occasionally rests in the cool side hide which is a half log (didn't know at first this was a bad idea) and never seems to mess with the hot side. for the hot side it's just a bowl. at the time I didn't know 2 hides were mandatory. The water bowl is just the container it came in. I'll be upgrading everything soon. I'm just worried about my snake constantly roaming and trying to escape. maybe the enclosure is too small? The temps are good, humidity is fine. I have a reptitherm uth plugged into a thermostat. Thermometer for ambient temp and a temperature gun. Why might my snake be stressed? I feel like it's too small and I plan on moving it to a sterilite tub (single tub, no rack) with latches but I don't know what size. Any help? Don't hold back. I'm trying to get it right!

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Also I tried to feed it 5 days after it first ate and it didn't eat that time. (Sunday)

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[Caali]

A few things come to my mind:

1. Don‘t use a log as a hide. It doesn‘t give the animal a sense of security. Choose a hide that has only one entrance.

2. Use two identical hides.

3. It looks like you put only a little bit of substrate in there. I would go for at least 4cm to 5cm (or 1,5 to 2 inches).

4. Put in some fake plants. They can help to give the snake security.

5. Give the snake a log to climb on.

6. Don‘t handle him until he has eaten 3 meals in a row.

7. The enclosure size is a different matter. Normally I‘d say that the enclosure should at least as long as the snake. With younger snakes that‘s a bit more difficult because they grow so fast. I had my ball python (when he wad just 13 inches long) in a enclosure of 70cm x 50cm x 50cm but that was after I noticed that he prefered lots of space. I wouldn‘t suggest to do the same since it was really weird 😅
Deborah wrote a „Hatchling 101“ that is full a great tips and experience.
I suggest you take a look at it (https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101).

8. Please tell us the temperature and the humidity. I know that you‘ve said they were fine but there‘s a lot of wrong information on ball pythons. We have make sure we rule out all other causes in order to know what you‘re snake has.

[ArcaneTB]

A few things come to my mind:

1. Don‘t use a log as a hide. It doesn‘t give the animal a sense of security. Choose a hide that has only one entrance.

2. Use two identical hides.

3. It looks like you put only a little bit of substrate in there. I would go for at least 4cm to 5cm (or 1,5 to 2 inches).

4. Put in some fake plants. They can help to give the snake security.

5. Give the snake a log to climb on.

6. Don‘t handle him until he has eaten 3 meals in a row.

7. The enclosure size is a different matter. Normally I‘d say that the enclosure should at least as long as the snake. With younger snakes that‘s a bit more difficult because they grow so fast. I had my ball python (when he wad just 13 inches long) in a enclosure of 70cm x 50cm x 50cm but that was after I noticed that he prefered lots of space. I wouldn‘t suggest to do the same since it was really weird
Deborah wrote a „Hatchling 101“ that is full a great tips and experience.
I suggest you take a look at it (https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101).

8. Please tell us the temperature and the humidity. I know that you‘ve said they were fine but there‘s a lot of wrong information on ball pythons. We have make sure we rule out all other causes in order to know what you‘re snake has.

The temperatures on top of the heat mat (glass) is upper 88 - 93. The cool side is currently 79. The ambient is 79-80.

Also, if I add more substrate, it will be much cooler on top of the substrate while the glass is still 88-93. Is this ok?

And I see logs are bad but it chooses it over the hot side hide.

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[omglolchrisss]

The temperatures on top of the heat mat (glass) is upper 88 - 93. The cool side is currently 79. The ambient is 79-80.

Also, if I add more substrate, it will be much cooler on top of the substrate while the glass is still 88-93. Is this ok?

And I see logs are bad but it chooses it over the hot side hide.

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Its probably not the hide on the cool side your snake prefers but the temperature itself as some prefer the cool side. If the hide isnt adequate youre making the snake choose between security and thermo regulation! Also the logs really are garbage!

[ArcaneTB]

Its probably not the hide on the cool side your snake prefers but the temperature itself as some prefer the cool side. If the hide isnt adequate youre making the snake choose between security and thermo regulation! Also the logs really are garbage!

Should I lower the hot side?

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[Caali]

The temperatures on top of the heat mat (glass) is upper 88 - 93. The cool side is currently 79. The ambient is 79-80.

Also, if I add more substrate, it will be much cooler on top of the substrate while the glass is still 88-93. Is this ok?

And I see logs are bad but it chooses it over the hot side hide.

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You can put a little substrate over the heat mat (maybe 1 inch) if it causes problems but it should be fine. The other temperatures are ok as well.
I personally think she chooses the log over the other hide because it's too warm for her. Every ball python is it's own little character. Some are a bit more like divas and others more like neanderthals. Not every ball python likes 93 degrees. Mine leaves it's warm hide even during the day from 92 degrees upwards (and I use a CHE). He just doesn't like it any warmer.
That's also why it's recommended to use two identical hides. Otherwise they choose security over what they actually need. Try it out. It might help the snake. By the way, are you sure your snake fits into the warm hide?
Take two identical hide and a bit more substrate. It might solve your problem.

[omglolchrisss]

Should I lower the hot side?

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I wouldn't lower it your hot side temperatures seem reasonable 93 might be cutting it a bit close to too warm but i dont think it should be a problem. You should definitely look into matching hides though! And not the log their not secure enough their extremely unsanitary and most people dont realize it but their also pretty rough and splintery!

[ArcaneTB]

You can put a little substrate over the heat mat (maybe 1 inch) if it causes problems but it should be fine. The other temperatures are ok as well.
I personally think she chooses the log over the other hide because it's too warm for her. Every ball python is it's own little character. Some are a bit more like divas and others more like neanderthals. Not every ball python likes 93 degrees. Mine leaves it's warm hide even during the day from 92 degrees upwards (and I use a CHE). He just doesn't like it any warmer.
That's also why it's recommended to use two identical hides. Otherwise they choose security over what they actually need. Try it out. It might help the snake. By the way, are you sure your snake fits into the warm hide?
Take two identical hide and a bit more substrate. It might solve your problem.

it used to use both hides the first week. Then I fed it and it snatched the prey in about 5 secs & used both hides also. Then it just changed. I'll add more substrate, lower the warm side just a notch, and will be getting identical hides & plants and see how it goes.

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[ArcaneTB]

it used to use both hides the first week. Then I fed it and it snatched the prey in about 5 secs & used both hides also. Then it just changed. I'll add more substrate, lower the warm side just a notch, and will be getting identical hides & plants and see how it goes.

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Ahh my BP is currently eating. I'll take that as a good sign!

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