So i'm new and have some ?

[Mighty Monty]

So i'm new to owning a ball python, and have had mine now for probably 2 to 3 months. He was very young when i got him, and probably only a month or two old.

Some concerns i've had lately are when do they usually start shedding? I know what to look for but have seen no symptons as of yet.

But my MAIN concern is, tonight as i was going to clean the cage, he started striking at me, now i know these are usually a pretty clam species of snake, and mine has been great to me since i've had it so far. But last week after it had gotten done eating, i misted the cage and right away it started striking at me. I figured it was sensitive and didn't want to be bothered, then the incident happened tonight. THIS HAS ME CONCERNED? Could this be because he is starting to shed, or could something else be wrong?

Any information would be great, and i'm sorry if these are on other posts, i tried to look around but felt it'd be better as i'm new to this, to hear it from people when they know the situation.

THANKS AND GOOD TO BE HERE!

[rabernet]

Hi and welcome! Glad to have you here with us!

He hasn't shed in two to three months since you've had him? Can I ask what you are feeding him, and how often? Is he eating each time you offer food?

Now for the striking, can you describe your set-up? What are you keeping him in? What are your temps and how are you measuring them? How many hides, and how big are they? Where is the enclosure located? In a quiet room, or a high traffic room?

Just need a little more information to help you out!

[lillyorchid]

Welcome to the forum.

First off most babies shed about once a month. He is a baby right? What are you feeding him as in prey item size?

As for the striking goes... don't be to worried... he's just a baby and they tend to be a bit flighty in the mood swing department LOL. Remember you are A LOT bigger then he is and well in the wild... big things eat them so he is only trying to cover his butt from possibly being hurt or eaten. Also remember like all living creatures, snakes have bad days too. A thing to watch out for is if you are making any fast movements around him. That could be causing it.
Does he have two hides(one on the warm side and one on the cool side) ?
If not that would be stressing him out and causing him to strike at you.

[frankykeno]

The right questions have already been asked so I just say....welcome to BPNet!

[MATT FISHER REPTILES]

looks like you are getting the advice you need. and keep the questions coming .
post pics of you setup so we can tear it apart. j/k LOL

we relly just would give you ideas to make it better for your snake and you.

welcome welcome

[rabernet]

looks like you are getting the advice you need. and keep the questions coming .
post pics of you setup so we can tear it apart. j/k LOL

we relly just would give you ideas to make it better for your snake and you.

welcome welcome

Matt, I know you say you were just kidding, but I really don't think that members are trying to pick apart set-ups, rather than make suggestions for improvement. Please shoot me a PM if you would like to discuss any concerns you have!

[Mighty Monty]

Alright. So i have i believe it's a 20 gallon tank, the guy at the store said it would be a good size for him to grow in, so it's a pretty big tank for a little guy, even though he's gotten rather big since i've first had him.

I'm not going to lie, i've been concerned about his living area, i had some trouble keeping the levels of heat on both sides adjusted, and the humidity stable ( I'm still not sure how to do this, i just mist the cage a couple times a day ) But i've been happier with it lately, but still not sure, It's about mid 90's on the warm side, and maybe about mid 80's on the cold side. maybe a little less. I use to have hiding spots on both sides, but now just the warm side. I should probably change this right? I have about 3 hiding spots for him 2 on the warm, and 1 in the middle. I have a large water bowl for him on the cold side. But i never see him in it. I too am a night person and watch him when he's out and about.

As far as where his cage is, he was in my basement where there isn't any traffic really, but it's very cold in my basement and couldn't keep the temperture right, especially at night. So i moved it to our boiler room, where there is no traffic, but every once in awhile there is stuff going on and off, loud noises, etc. It's also very warm in there.

If i have caused him to be stressed from the living areas, is this something i can make better? Or will he be damaged etc? ( kind of a stupid question ) HE ALSO HAD NOT SHED ONCE SINCE I'VE HAD HIM! I've been worried about this.

Other than that, i appreciate everything and the welcomes. I love owning this snake, and want it to be as healthy and get to know the ropes. I just feel like i'm doing it all wrong, and it's making me feel terrible!

thanks

[dr del]

Hey MM,


You forgot to mention what type/size prey item you were feeding him.

The general concensus is that the best setup has two identacle (sp - me= tired)hides - one at the cool end and one at the warm end so the snake doesn't have to choose between security (i.e. fave hide) and thermoregulation.

A good clue on how happy the snake is can be gleaned from how well he eats -which is another reason it could be good to say what and when he eats etc.

Don't panic though - the folks here are a great resource for information and will fall over themselves to help.


dr del

[Mighty Monty]

Thanks, i do appreciate it. I've been stressing to find a good site that will give me the right information.

When i first got him he wouldn't eat for the first couple of weeks, i knew this was normal. The end of the second week i had him he ate a mouse. Ever since i've been feeding it 1 mouse a week or about every 5 days i guess. I put him into a seperate feeding area, like a tub thing. He eats the mouse within seconds of being in there. He doesn't refuse food, and is pretty good about his eating.

[dr del]

Cool,


What size of mouse? full grown or half grown or fuzzy? Just trying to get an idea of how much food he's actually taking. Most people say theres little reason to feed in a serperate enclosure now but the main thing is to stick with what the snakes accept so I wouldn't stress on that either.

Is the mouse alive,fresh killed or frozen/defrosted?

What kind of size (approx) is yer lil darlin? I ask as they do go longer between sheds as they age and if you could take pics it would be cool ( the site is kind of picture addicted as I suppose you have noticed by now. )

You mention keeping the humidity stable but I couldn't see the actual figure so what is the actual humidity in the tank at the moment? If it is too hard to maintain the whole tank at the correct humidity it might be possible to put a damp hide in ( usually a tupperware box containing either damp moss or damp peat in my house - note damp NOT wet) so that he can also chppse the humidity level he needs.

Thinking about it as i re-read you initial post something struck me....

If a massive pink giant came in and threw water all over me I'd probably have a slight hissy fit myself.



dr del