Hi there! this is my 3rd day with Guts my brand new Albino BP. I've never owned a ball python before and I'm not really sure what to expect. I made a post earlier about how the person caring for him on behalf of his previous owner was leaving the heat lamp off during the day in 75 degree weather, with no heat gradient, for who knows HOW long. Because of that I went out of my way to get him as soon as I could. Everything seems alright with him although I really need help understanding what are signs of stress and what isn't. I really would have no way to identify any neurological issues as I don't know what a BP SHOULD act like.
He's about 6 months old. I had to handle him once the first day to re arrange the enclosure (when i snapped the picture) as it all came with him and he did not ball as expected, in fact he just seems to only want down/move around more than anything. Is that a bigger sign of stress than balling would be? I have not seen him ball a single time yet.
I do see him travel from hot to cool hide every so often, and i have seen him drink water atleast 3 times.
The measurements within the tank:
Hot side: 90F
Cool side: 73F
Humidity: About 30%. I have been trying to mist but I can't figure out how much to add to raise it to about 40-50%. I also made a humidity box which he won't go into so I might take that out until I see him about to shed.
here are some questions i have:
He has a Red heat lamp, do I need to invest in a daytime bulb to simulate day/night cycles or can I use the red one the whole time?
When I put him down after handling the first time mentioned above he just sat in the middle of his enclosure not going to any hide and looking sort of upwards for atleast 10 minutes. Is this stargazing? I haven't seen it happen since.
What are obvious signs of stress I can look for while he's in his enclosure (without me touching him)
What are signs of stress i can look for when I start handling him?
How often should I be feeding a 6 month old BP? I see 5-6 days and I see 10-14 days. I'd like to help him grow/bulk up in anyway that i can.
He was supposedly a very good eater/striker and has been eating f/t pinkie rats. His last feeding was on the 13th.
Note-*i have invested quite a bit of funds getting his current enclosure and him ready but as soon as he's needs a size up I plan to switch him into a tub with a heat mat and thermostat but changing the enclosure completely right now is not within my budget* (I can look to do that in a month or two probably).
Sorry for the SUPER long post and thank you all for being so welcoming in my previous posts! I have done hours upon hours of research in YT vids, caresheets and this forum and yet I bring him home and I feel so worried after bringing him home. Maybe i'm just a classic new owner and freaking out for no reason
Reply With Quote