New Ball Python

[Hades]

Hi everyone! Great site!

I torn down my 500G Saltwater Reef aquarium system last spring and really needed a new hobby. I have since been OBSESSED with snakes! Although I only own one so far My wife and I have limited reptile experience consisting of a Blue Tongued Skink and a Gargoyle Gecko.

I want to explain what I have done so far and would love some feedback. I also have a few questions.

I found a very cute 4 week old (normal) Ball that was VERY friendly and great to handle. I decided to pay for "him" and pick up in a week after I had "his" home set up. I went with a rubbermaid which I believe is 30" long x 19" deep and 12" tall. I have begun building a custom "adult size" home for "him" but I will save that for later. By the way, my wife and I have named "him" Hades...at least until we can verify this snake is a boy. If it's not then...

So rubbermaid with air holes drilled in side, heavy duty clips holding lid down, under tank heater, thermostat to control heater, temp and humidity monitor, paper towel substrate for easy cleaning, two hides -- one on the warm side and one on the cooler side, water dish, piece of drift wood for climbing and scratching or whatever...

Brought the baby home on feeding day but they did not feed him as they knew he would be moving. The next day he was out and about exploring his new home so I decided to handle him. He balled up for about 2-3 minutes and then began to climb all over. He has rarely ever balled up again when I take him out of his home...if at all, I don't remember another time.

Leads me to first question. I was told he will ball up if scared and if he didn't want to be handled. This snake never seems to mind being handled. I can take him out anytime and for as long as I want and he just climbs around and usually ends up on my neck. Does this mean he really is ok being handled or could he be scared and stressed? The odd time that I bump his head by accident, he will ball up for a brief moment but other than that, he seems happy. The one exception was during his first (in my care) shed when he clearly did not want to be handled and I left him alone for a few days. Otherwise I handle him every day other than the day after feeding. How much is too much handling? How long is too long?

He is very active every night which is normal of course but if I open his rubbermaid, he immediately climbs out and onto the floor. He seems to love to explore. Normal?

Feeding...I was told to feed a mouse "hopper" every week. He was already eating frozen thawed and my first feeding with him took all of about 10 seconds of dangling the mouse infront of him before he struck and ate it very quickly. He always eats immediately and has never refused a meal, even during shedding with cloudy eyes, he ate. About 3 weeks ago I went from once a week to once every 5 days because I didn't think the hoppers were enough. What would I feed next? Rat pups? Last night I fed him a very big hopper, he ate it very fast and easily and then started to look for more I think. I dangled the feeding tongs in his rubbermaid and he kept approaching them. I kinda feel like a bad keeper right now because he clearly needs bigger food

Should I feed in a different container?

His first shed with me went very well, full shed with eyes and all. Only thing I noticed was that when I found the shedded skin, I also found a lot of feces. Is this normal? By the way, I change out his paper towel every few days and spot clean. Disinfect his rubbermaid once a week.

So far its been an amazing experience! This snake has never once hissed at me or tried to strike. I hope "he" stays like this although I know it can change over time. I can even pet him on the head (when he is laying on me only, not if he is outstretched or balled up) which I was told they won't like. I think I have been really lucky with this as a first snake!

Thanks in advance for any comments and advice!

EDIT: I forgot to mention I keep the warm side at 88-90 and cool side at 83ish although this side is hard to control. Humidity is usually around 50% but the past few days its been way too high at 70% and I am trying to figure out the cause which may include a broken monitor.

Also, is it common for them to like climbing? He seems to love to climb...