how long

[sporty02]

ok so last sat i got a new addition a early 09 mojave from a local breeder i have known for years. I set him up in a 10gl tank with every thing he needs (not my first ball python) all week he has seemed very unhappy if you go near the tank he goes to the strike postion and just looks mad i offered him an as tonight and he wasnt interested he just struck at it but never tried to take it. the asf is friom the breeder he came from so it is what he is use to.
my question is how long does everyone usually wait to feed and handle your new additions and should i do anything special with him i have nerver had a new snake take more than a few days to settle in thanks guys and girls


i cant even get any good pics of him to share

[iCandiBallPythons]

What all is included in "with everything it needs"? Do you have some type of covering around 3 sides of the tank? If a BP doesnt feel secure they typically wont eat. I have had plenty of BP's take food with in hours of being unpacked.

[sporty02]

he has a hide its a small butter bowl with a small opening an uth a med size water bowl natural light tank is surronded on 3 sides and is in the spare bed room so not much foot traffic just me a few times a day checking in on him but i havent oopened the lid but 3 or for times in 5 days just to see if he was still in alive

[Kaorte]

Give him another identical hide.

Are you controlling the UTH with a reptile thermostat? Temps could be too high.

As icandi suggested, I would cover the back and sides of the tank with dark paper so it feels less open for the snake.

[sporty02]

i dont think it is getting to hot with a temp gun it is showing 88 degrees on the warm side of the tank and 78 on the cool side i just have never had a problem getting a new snake to settle in but this guy is proving to be difficult maybe i will try mostly covering his cage tommorrow

[iCandiBallPythons]

I would try covering the back and 2 sides as your planning. Can you clarify what you mean by "natural light"? Are you meaning like a light fixture or just light from the room? Also is the 88F on the floor of the tank or the ambient temp?

[sporty02]

on the floor of the tank and the tank is set up catty corner from the window so it gets side light from the window

[iCandiBallPythons]

Is the 88F on the floor of the tank or the ambient temp?

[sporty02]

the floor of the tank is 89-89 degrees amb is 82 degrees