New to the Ball Python World

[WizzySRT10]

I just recently got my ball python from a local pet store (I know I should of went through a breeder). I have a 30 gallon terrarium for him/her and I have 3 hides, temp gauge/controler, heat pad, heat lamp (I do live in Nebraska and it gets cold). I noticed my baby ball really doesn't go into the hides but on a rare occasion is that odd? It also really doesn't ball up like alot of ball pythons I've seen. Could something be wrong? I want to sex him/her but I kinda nervous on how I've heard you do it and I don't want to hurt my snake. Thanks for any comments and help anyone can provide.

[karma279]

My big one stays out on the prowl a lot as well... he doesn't act typical. Sounds like you'll be fine. Don't pre-apologize for buying from a store; it's fine.
I joined here not too long ago either......they've got some knowledgeable folks here who seem to really know their stuff; then you got some that are not so much. But they'll throw out advice anyway. But you'll learn who to listen to...

May wanna post up your temps; humidity and and estimate of snake's size/age if you're looking for basic behavior advice.
And this is just my advice

[WizzySRT10]

May wanna post up your temps; humidity and and estimate of snake's size/age if you're looking for basic behavior advice.
And this is just my advice

I need a humidity gauge so I dunno currently but I keep it pretty moist in my whole house due to allergies. Probally a week or two. I have seen some pics on here that are about the same size and probally age.


I already know my snake is very friendly and loves being held. I took him (or I hope it's a him) to a friends house today and my buddy held him for a while and the snake really seemed to enjoy the attention. I know when I'm holding him, he really doesn't hold on tight like alot of ball pythons I've held in the past either. I dunno if trust is there or something.

[Wh00h0069]

Congrats on your new pet. How long have you had him? Some balls just don't like hides. I actually do not use hides, but I do not use glass aquariums either. I use rack systems, which are dark and tight spaces anyway. Most of mine just hide under their paper bedding. Yours may still be getting used to his new home, and may eventually start using his hides. I would not take them out just yet.

I suggest taking your snake to a reptile vet or someone who has sexed snakes before. There are a few different ways to sex snakes. The two that I use are popping and probing. Popping is where you invert the snake’s sex organs by popping them out. Probing is where you take a metal probe and insert it into the snakes cloaca. Depending on how far the probe is inserted, determines the snake’s sex. Either method could hurt the snake if done improperly.

Good luck with your new pet.

[Argentra]

I just recently got my ball python from a local pet store (I know I should of went through a breeder). I have a 30 gallon terrarium for him/her and I have 3 hides, temp gauge/controler, heat pad, heat lamp (I do live in Nebraska and it gets cold). I noticed my baby ball really doesn't go into the hides but on a rare occasion is that odd? It also really doesn't ball up like alot of ball pythons I've seen. Could something be wrong? I want to sex him/her but I kinda nervous on how I've heard you do it and I don't want to hurt my snake. Thanks for any comments and help anyone can provide.

Ok, first let me get this straight: You have a baby BP in a 30gal tank??? First thing the pet store messed you up on. That snake is really stressed out, even though you have three hides in there. It's too much open space.
Babies should be in a 12qt tub or a 10gal tank with good tight hides and greenery (or crumpled paper) to reduce the open space.

That said, some BPs just don't really ball up, and that's not a bad thing. Also, depending on how long you've had this youngster, they may not have 'discovered' the hides yet. I've had some snakes not 'know' that hides were good and they stayed curled up in a corner for a few days until they explored and found that the hides were safe and secure.
In that huge tank, yours is probably too nervous to go into an 'unknown place', i.e. the hides, where 'predators could be lurking'

Change the size of the enclosure, at least for a few months (not telling you to get rid of the 30, just use something smaller for now) and you should see some improvements in behavior.

[WizzySRT10]

I got him friday aug. 1st. Now it looks like he's using the hides. I went in there earlier and couldn't see him and then I see a nose peek out. So I think it's getting used to the enviroment. I'm probally going to end up putting more things in the terrarium like a rock and maybe some type of limb for it to climb on. I really want to feed him but he is refusing food currently so I'll give the lil guy a few more days.

[karma279]

If it's a neo then 30g is a bit too big...
Either make it smaller with plexi divider or just buy a 10g. Either way it'll only cost you around $10 (plus lid for a 10). If you divide the tank you can keep 2 small - juvies.. or if you keep the 30 and buy a 10 you'll have one for when it gets a little bigger. I have to agree on this one...

Oh yeah.. get a humidty/temp gauge. Walmart has them for $7...
Post what temps you are keeping too

[WizzySRT10]

lol if you guys knew where I lived you wouldn't say a 10 gallon is $10... I live in the middle of no where so walmart is also a 60 mile drive. I keep my house pretty humid anyways too for my allergies. I have 4 hides for him in the 3 gallon... so atleast it has some hides.

[darkangel]

lol if you guys knew where I lived you wouldn't say a 10 gallon is $10... I live in the middle of no where so walmart is also a 60 mile drive. I keep my house pretty humid anyways too for my allergies. I have 4 hides for him in the 3 gallon... so atleast it has some hides.

You don't really need to have a glass aquarium either tho... so if price is an issue you could always use a rubbermaid or sterilite shoe box tub. The reality is that babies WILL do better in small enclosure and do tend to refuse meals in a space that is farr too large, ie, yours. It's good advice, trust. A five dollar tub with a water bowl is not going to be as much of an expense.

[WizzySRT10]

I followed some advice and bought some plexi glass and cleaned it up really nice and cut a hole small enoug he can crawl through and divided the terrarium.