New BP Question/Advice

[Alexandra V]

Ball pythons don't climb much, they're mainly terrestrial, so don't be surprised if he never uses the branches. Ball pythons are quite the homebodies, so they tend to hide about 80 - 90 % of the time, and they don't really soak much either, it depends on the individual. I know my male hates getting wet, so he hardly ever soaks, and I have a friend whose snake will soak in shed. It just depends.

From what I see in the picture, you use a log hide, which aren't the best because they're open on both sides, so it doesn't feel secure, and it's also rather big for him. The general rule for hides is the tighter the better lol.

Also, just a side note, you might want to remove that big branch in the center of the cage right under the heat lamp because that would allow him to get really close, and it can get quite hot up there near the heat lamp. And the dial thermometers that you have in there aren't going to be of much use, because you can't get the temperature of the actual bedding. You could either go with a thermometer with a probe, or with an infrared temperature gun.

Are you using anything to regulate the heat lamp? A lot of new owners get heating devices and think that they wouldn't get too hot, but the truth of the matter is that ball pythons don't need very high temperatures, and that most heating devices get way too hot for a ball python. If I were in your place, I would ditch the lamp and opt for a heat pad under one half of the tank, because it will keep your humidity better and it will benefit the snake because they use belly heat to digest, so it's best if the ground of their enclosure warms up. Also I'd go for smaller hides that are closed on both ends, and put one on the hot side and one on the cool side.

Congrats on the new ball python! Welcome to the addiction