Hi guys, first time posting and this is my first Ball.

He doesn't leave his hide at all except to feed. I chalked this up to stress of moving and being in a new place but it's been over 2 months. He is now approaching 2 years old and I purchased him from a person who says the previous owner before them just kept him in a box under their bed.

Quick rundown of set-up and my current care schedule for him:

-Fed weekly on medium rats. The previous owner fed him on large mice but his diameter at his thickest is on par with large rats so I bumped him up, first trying medium rats every 10 days or so and now onto weekly. He hasn't had any issues feeding and hasn't regurgitated or had any other such issues so I think that this is not currently an issue.
He pooped for the first time since i've had him just this week. This was beginning to worry me but I read on the forums that it's possible that they don't go for a month or two especially when under stress. I'm quite relieved now he has also relieved himself.
He is fed with tongs, inside his vivarium. This may be contentious but I have read enough accounts on both sides of this argument and came down on the side that i don't want him to associate being handled with being fed.

-Water changed every other day. Either shop bought still or tap water that's been left for a few days. Every now and then a white film happens on the water bowl. I'm a little confused at this but not immediately alarmed.

-Bedding changed about every few weeks and the vivarium sanitised immediately after he's made a mess and him moved to a seperate warmed box.

-Because he seemed stressed I have added larger scenery inside the viv, nothing much seems to have changed.

-Viv sprayed every couple of days and i have a small plastic box with damp cloth in to keep humidity at about 40 or higher. This isn't where I would like it and i'm saving up for a mister.

-Viv temped by a thermostat connected to a ceramic bulb. Temperature is checked by a manual thermometer in the warm end of the viv.

-If he exhibits any shedding problems (seems mostly to come off in 3/4 big pieces but occassionally smaller bits stay on) then i move him to a box with warm water about half to 2/3 of his height in depth with a cloth for him to rub against. He has shedded twice while in my care.


I am asking primarily to check that my care of my snake is suitable and also what you recommend to reduce the stress of the snake and make him more accepting of being touched and handled. Right now while I can move him between viv and other boxes without him striking he does ball up. I expected this when I first got him but I'd like to change this and increase his trust of me.

What would you suggest and is there anything I need to be aware of or change about the care routine at the minute?



Thanks for your time and happy to be here.

Chris