Some questions!

[BPelizabeth]

Make sure if you have an under the tank heater that you get a thermostat for it so you can control it. Some places tell you that you will not need it....YOU DO!!! Also be sure to check out the care sheet...tons of info that is very good.

Get the hides...super important....one on the cool side one on the warm side. You can look up self made hides on this site....you can make one for a couple of dollars.

What type of susbtrate are you using...make sure no Cedar!!

It has been said lots of times....but I will say it again...feed in his enclosure...much easier for you and the snake.

The water and rubbing thing....hmmmmm...maybe he is going into a shed. Make sure your humidity is at 60% and I might even bump it to 70% just in case he is. Make sure though that the substrate is not wet though. You can get a hygrometer (probably spelled it wrong) at Wally World pretty cheap.

And give him time...sounds like you got a sassy one...but he will warm up. He is just stressed right now. And trust me I know....it is hard not to hold them for hours everyday!!!

[whitemike]

Friend just gave me: http://www.petco.com/product/5963/Ma...t-Refuges.aspx

I know you said no cedar, but I cannot see what kind of wood it is other than "natural."

Will this do?

[BPelizabeth]

they really like stuff that is totally closed in with a little opening. Like lets say a plastic bowl (that is not clear). Mine also like the coconuts...though it only works when they are young. I personally get the repti rocks...(not hot rocks) just little reptile hides. That is only because I am not good with making stuff.

Look up homemade hides and you will get some ideas.

[olstyn]

Friend just gave me: http://www.petco.com/product/5963/Ma...t-Refuges.aspx

I know you said no cedar, but I cannot see what kind of wood it is other than "natural."

Will this do?

Those are definitely not cedar or pine (cedar has a reddish tint to it, along with a distinctive scent, and I'm sure you can recognize pine), so they're not toxic to your snake. That said, the conventional wisdom with regard to ball pythons is that half logs are not secure enough to be good hides for them. The fact that they have large openings makes them unhappy; they'd much prefer something that they can just fit inside, with a single "doorway" just big enough for them to get in and out. That way they can't really be seen when they're inside, thus making them feel safer.

[Flawless]

Welcome........
This site is REALLY going to help you out as you need..everyone is real friendly...but yeah you are going to need a lil more than a 40 gl tank and water bowl...make sure you have the right heat source for your ball specially after feeding...give it a 48 hr "chill time" after it's lunch...lol.....good luck