Does not need a hiding place in a small plastic box ? heat mat question ?

[calvinlee7hk]

hi

i am a newbie from Hong Kong, i was told to doesn't need to use the hidding place for my ball python in a small plastic box, the shop keeper told me that using the hidding place will make the ball python very nervous when they see human, cos they are in a small box already, its atmosphere is simular to their hidding place already, and he told me that if i start to use the hiding place it will make the python feel nevrous when the python see me, because they always hidding in their place and can not get used to seeing human.

is it true ? and he told me to avoid to use a hidding place that can be train the ball python getting used to see human and can make them feel relax to see human.

also the shop keeper told me that i have to use the heat mat, but i have bought a theometer to test the weather inside the box, it is around 26-28 in the day time and night time not big different, am i still need to put a heat mat for the ball python ?

regards

calvin
regards

calvin

[stinker2009]

hi

i am a newbie from Hong Kong, i was told to doesn't need to use the hidding place for my ball python in a small plastic box, the shop keeper told me that using the hidding place will make the ball python very nervous when they see human, cos they are in a small box already, its atmosphere is simular to their hidding place already, and he told me that if i start to use the hiding place it will make the python feel nevrous when the python see me, because they always hidding in their place and can not get used to seeing human.

is it true ? and he told me to avoid to use a hidding place that can be train the ball python getting used to see human and can make them feel relax to see human.

also the shop keeper told me that i have to use the heat mat, but i have bought a theometer to test the weather inside the box, it is around 26-28 in the day time and night time not big different, am i still need to put a heat mat for the ball python ?

regards

calvin
regards

calvin

-As far as the hide goes. I have read a couple times that two hides are not needed when the python is in a rack system because the container already provides a very secure feel for him/her. I would recommend having at least one hide though.

-For others, thats about 81 or so degrees F. There is a difference between ambient heat and the heat on the substrate or belly heat. You want the ambient to be in the ranges you have but usually you want belly heat to be around 92 degrees F, or ~33 degrees C. I would get a thermostat and a heat mat to put under the tub. Make sure you have a reliable way to measure the temperature of the surface your ball python will be on top of, e.g. temperature gun

[Vypyrz]

Welcome to the Forum. HK is such a nice city. I spent too many nights in Wan Chai...

[Patricia]

Welcome to the Forum. HK is such a nice city. I spent too many nights in Wan Chai

Wow, someone who's been to HK! I was born and raised there before moving to USA. Met my hubby in Wanchai 24 years ago (it's a business district now, with a much nicer reputation).

Calvin, ball pythons need a warm section of 32-33 degrees Celsius (belly heat, on the bottom of the tank, not just the air inside) and a cool section of 27-28 degrees. August is hot in HK, but it will be too cold in winter without a heating mat. Use a proper reptile heating mat to bring the warm temperature up to 32-33 degrees.

Also, ball pythons need to hide. Seeing humans all the time WILL make them very afraid! They feel more safe, secure, and happy when hiding. A cheap bowl is OK, just cut out a door for your snake to go in and out.

How big is your small box? The snake needs a water bowl also, along with at least one hide. Two hides are better: One in the warm section and one in the cool section.

[calvinlee7hk]

i will post the pic very soon to let every one to see my snake.

[Vypyrz]

(it's a business district now, with a much nicer reputation).

[calvinlee7hk]

until now, i still doesn't have a hiding place for the python, and when i handling it, its all fine, it just staying the same position on my hand, doesn't move much , is this normal ?

also i was wondering how to notice a python is in stress mood ?

[Patricia]

also i was wondering how to notice a python is in stress mood ?

1) When it roams around its cage all the time, or keep trying to escape, especially in the day time, since they sleep during the day. A hiding ball python is a happy ball python.

2) When it refuses food, unless it's shedding, when some don't eat.

How long have you had yours?

[calvinlee7hk]

i just got it in a week, and when i fed my python is the second day when i brought it home. it just kill the mice in a min.

yeah when it is in the night time it looks very active, trying to escape, but the day it just staying in a position, i think my python is sleeping.