I just purchased a baby ball python 1 week ago. I had a beautiful Colombian Boa for 2 1/2 years. She disappeared 2 months ago. It was my fault and I will not make the same mistake twice.

Anyway... I have a few questions that I have not been able to find an appropriate answer to online.

1. They told me at the reptile store that he (Soku) looked like he was about to go into a shed. His eyes are very dark and I have not noticed any blueing. Is the blue haze obvious with very dark eyes?

2. Soku is a Pastel. When I brought him home he had a blushy looking orangish tinge on area's closer to the spine. The color darkened into an almost a light brownish grey. I noticed this a few days ago. Not sure if it could be shed related.

3. He has been yawning excessively. His vents are clear, he has no mucus in his mouth and there is no sound indicating RI. His mouth looks very healthy (I see inside it often) Today he yawned and I giggled and smiled at him like I always do when he yawns. He proceeded to open his mouth about 1/2 open and stare at me. He was very relaxed and did not seem a bit aggressive. When I stopped smiling and started to look concerned he closed it. Total time open was about 10 seconds. Call me crazy but it seemed like he was opening it because he liked the response that he received. If there is another reason please inform me.

4. Sometimes he flicks his tongue far out and moves his head straight up and all around. I assume he is getting a feel for his new surroundings. I fed him on Sunday. He has been doing this every day from time to time.

He is a very sweet and docile snake. Curious at times and others he prefers to sit still for an hour and watch me. His Hide is a baseball hat. The center is cloth and collapses and he enters through the brim. He seems to like it and I think it is cozy for him. The reptile shop owner told me that he would not eat f/t and would only eat moving live mice. I tried the f/t and he snatched it up within 5 seconds. I'm so glad because I worry about feeding live. He is a wonderful snake and I want to make sure that I am taking the best care of him possible.