New ball python concerns

[Opheliabb]

Hi so I’ve recently gotten my first ball python and I’ve had her for about a month now, I think every week I have a new worry but that’s just new owner worries however a few things have started to bother me for example she recently jumped away as I was walking past but I’ve never noticed that. I’m also concerned that she has a lot of singular flaking scales. I’m assuming her humidity may be off so I have ordered a mist bottle to try raise the humidity. I’m also concerned that she keeps yawning and reading things makes me believe she may have RI.
I know that there are still things I need to learn and if I can’t work out some things then I may think about passing her into a more experienced owner as much as I love her. I’m just so concerned I’m doing the wrong things. Any advice would truly be useful

[Craiga 01453]

Can you tell us about your setup?

What are your temps?
How are you measuring temps?
What I your humidity?

[Opheliabb]

My temps are around 30-32 in the warms side and around 27-28 in the cool
i have a thermometer in each end and also a laser thermometer (can’t remember what it’s actually called)
and the humidity is about 65%

[Bogertophis]

Is this your first snake also? (not the easiest kind to start with, admittedly) But we'll help you as much as we can here. First snakes of any kind are always the toughest.

"Jumped away" (as you walked past) is totally normal. Snakes aren't very visually-oriented...they need & use scent, touch & their heat sensing pits to really KNOW what they're dealing with. When a snake sees motion, depending on how big it is, how close it is, how fast it's moving, & other cues, they either assume it's "prey" or a "predator coming after them", which is why she jumped. Don't take it personal...you startled her. In the future, try not to do that...maybe walk slower, or further from her cage. When I pass many of my snakes (not BPs) I also may blow air across my hand so they get my scent...they identify me immediately & know I'm not incoming prey, but that may not work with BPs. Since she is also "new" she is more nervous & sometimes it also helps to block some of her view (like put some paper on half of the outside of her cage while she settles in). A month is not long enough for a snake that is in a new home to feel totally safe & comfortable. Remember snakes fear their own predators, they don't just prey on other creatures to survive. In the wild, they hide a lot.

Misting isn't the best way to raise humidity; using a substrate that retains humidity, and-or installing a "humid-hide", will do a lot more.

Yawning: might be a sign of trouble breathing (RI) but also, snakes yawn after they eat (to re-align their jaws & rows of teeth), and they also yawn before shedding, to help loosen the tight old skin around their mouth.

Keep reading here, & keep asking.

[Bogertophis]

BTW- how old is this snake? (or how big?) Has she fed for you? How many times?

The flaking scales: is it possible that you missed her being in a shed cycle? & now she's doing a "bad shed"? (it would help to see pics of her)

[aerie]

When I got my first snake a few months ago, I worried incredibly on various issues and I think you should try to maintain proper husbandry (your temps and humidity are all good!) and not over worry about RIs etc. They are very serious however unless symptoms such as wheezing and drooling or runny noses come up then you shouldn’t be too worried. Do you have a reptile expert/specialized reptile store nearby? They helped me answer a ton of my questions


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Opheliabb]

She’s five years old and she had shed just before we got her so that’s why it’s a concern because the previous owner said she will shadow around every two-three months. She’s fed twice and there has been no issues and today is her next feeding date so I will update if she refuses