First Ball Python, A Couple Questions

[crapwhereaminow]

Hi everyone, I just got my first ball python. He's a male pied born sept. 09. I've had a cornsnake before and I currently keep a male panther chameleon.


Here's his setup, critique it please.
He's in a 20 gallon glass aquarium with a screen top. I've got a zoomed uth, and a 60w ceramic heat emitter both plugged into a thermostat (set to 89 or so). It keeps the warm side at 92. The cool side reads 77. He's got two hides (the log cut in half type), one on the warm side and one on the cool side. There is a low water dish in the middle of the cage. The cage is lined with paper towels. The humidity is never lower than 56% or so. (He's kept in a room with several large fish tanks and a chameleon, so humidity is never a problem).
He arrived yesterday and I'm leaving him alone for at least a week or so.

My question is, he's tried to strike at me twice tonight through the glass. Is that normal for a new snake to be that aggressive? I'm trying to give him space and leave him alone, but I do need to be in the room to take care of the fish and the chameleon.
Also, can he hurt himself striking at the glass?

Here's a picture. Picture is not mine, it's from the breeder. Hopefully he'll be comfortable enough with me in a couple weeks so I can take a picture or two of him.



Thanks everyone!

[Elise.m]

Striking at the glass is probly normal (Mine didn't do it, but they're pretty docile). If you're concerned, when you enter the room I'd cover the tank with a towel or something.

[zantedeschia]

He may be hungry.

[BiggBaddWolf]

My guess would be hungry also but I am no EXPERT. And generally speaking no it is not normal for them to strike at the glass, altough several years ago I did have one that would do that too, but none since then. My best advice is just give him so time and see if he settles down...but again I am no EXPERT!!

[DrLew]

He'll settle down, give him some time.

[seeya205]

Just cover the sides and top and leave him alone for a week or two then feed! He sounds stressed and just needs to settle in! Also you nee better hides than a half log. That will add to the stress! He needs a hide that has one small opening and he fits in snug. You need one on the cool side and an identical one on the warm side. Your cool side should be bumped up to 80-84! What are you measuring temps with? Where are you measuring temps? You need to have a digital therometer with a probe. The probe should be on th uth! The uth should be at 90-94! You need to measure belly temps on warm side and on the cool side with an ambient(air) temp onf at least 75! Take a pic of your setup and I can try to help make you have a happy snake!

[crapwhereaminow]

Just cover the sides and top and leave him alone for a week or two then feed! He sounds stressed and just needs to settle in! Also you nee better hides than a half log. That will add to the stress! He needs a hide that has one small opening and he fits in snug. You need one on the cool side and an identical one on the warm side. Your cool side should be bumped up to 80-84! What are you measuring temps with? Where are you measuring temps? You need to have a digital therometer with a probe. The probe should be on th uth! The uth should be at 90-94! You need to measure belly temps on warm side and on the cool side with an ambient(air) temp onf at least 75! Take a pic of your setup and I can try to help make you have a happy snake!

I have a digital thermometer probe on the uth and it reads 95F. I'm using a flukers digital meter for the ambient and it reads between 74 and 77. (it's mounted on the back glass on the cool side).
I'll get better hides and cover up the sides of the tank.
I'm not going to try feeding for at least 4 or 5 more days.
I'll get a picture up soon!
Thanks for all the help!!!

[seeya205]

Good luck! I hope that helps!

[Evilme5229]

It could be a couple of factors. Babies (since hes an 09) can be a little more aggressive. I just think of it as a human baby. Human babies like to put everything in their mouth, well so does baby bps. He will calm down with some tlc, handling, and age.

Try the "feed me Semour" act and see if he dies the snipping down, but I have a feeling its because hes young. But hey, you can name your bp "snippy" for now. lol ;-)

[seeya205]

It could be a couple of factors. Babies (since hes an 09) can be a little more aggressive. I just think of it as a human baby. Human babies like to put everything in their mouth, well so does baby bps. He will calm down with some tlc, handling, and age.

Try the "feed me Semour" act and see if he dies the snipping down, but I have a feeling its because hes young. But hey, you can name your bp "snippy" for now. lol ;-)

Handling a baby that is not feeding is not good! It will stress them out more and cause them to be more unlikely to eat! He will calm down on his own in time!