Starting to get anxious...

[Vyn1228]

Hello hello, I'm completely new to the ownership of the Ball Python, but so far I've kept to the book and had the help of a very knowledgeable vet and a few friends... but My little girl is starting to make me anxious.

She's only been home a few days now and seems to be adjusting well, she has a nice round body, clear eyes, and is very inquisitive when I have her out of her cage, however, the last day or so... if not a bit longer she has been camped out in her hiding "rock" (which is just a plastic shell with a single opening) which is on the cool side of her cage and doesn't seem to want to leave it. While I'm sure this CAN happen.. For this amount time?

Currently her aquarium basking side is at 90.1 degrees and the cooler side is at 80.8 degrees. She has two lamps that are run by a thermostat on the basking side and both are night lamps (or lamps I was instructed to get in order to avoid the day/night confusion). The lamps run 24/7, based on the orders from the thermo. She also has a UTH pad which is also on her hot side. The heading pad is also cut on and off by dictation of the thermostat.

I've kept her aquarium at 40 to 50% humidity and keep the water changed. While I haven't fed her yet, this will be about a week for her, I am supposed to be doing so tomorrow...

Is this normal? Or am I missing a huge problem?

[JLC]

Sounds perfectly normal to me. Once they settle into their new homes, they tend to snuggle up in their little cave and sleep 99% of the time. She's likely out exploring while you're sleeping.

Do you have a similar hide on the warm side of the enclosure? Sometimes they will choose security over thermoregulation if they don't have a warm spot that feels as secure as the cool spot does. But...as often as not, even with two identical hides and all temps/humidity spot-on....they'll tend to favor one end or the other.

[JLC]

OH! And welcome to BP.net!! :

[Vyn1228]

She does have a hide on both sides. I originally started with a couple of half logs and had one placed on either side as my vet had instructed. After a while I replaced the cool side with a more "secure" one that doesn't have an opening on either end and seems to be more fitted to her. The plastic rock seems to be her favorite since it's dark and has only one small exit/entry hole. The warm side DOES still have a half log hide in it. I had originally thought the heat pad was to blame, but the feel on her bedding is only warm to the touch and the bedding is about 1" thick.



Thanks for the information. I've heard some real horror stories about caregivers to these beautiful creatures and I'm determined not to be one of them.

[Vyn1228]

Thank you very much by the way I'm really loving the site. Being new to BP's I'm sure it will be a lifesaver

[cktansys]

How if you try to swap the warm side hide with the cool side hide, see what she will respond on this change? likely she prefer the cool side hide then the warm side hide.

[Vyn1228]

I'll give it a try She was out when went home to check on her earlier today, so I'm somewhat relieved.