Another ball pyhton question....

[Tim Personguy]

Hi again everybody, and I know this may seem stupid or something to you guys but I have a regarding my bp. I have recently aquired a 2 and a half y/o male ball who has lived with other people in captivity. Since I got him he has stayed in the cool part of his enclousure. He stays there unless I move him to the warm part by hand, and then he seems more active and energetic. Other than that it seems to me he staysin the cool part of his cage. I have a 20 long gallon aquarium with a half log hide on the cool side and a cardboard hide with towels and a hole cut into it in the warm side. I heat with a red bulb heat light. What do you guys think of this since i'm new to ball pythons
Thanks in advance
-Tim

[LeviBP]

It's a possibility his hide on the warm side is too big, if a hide is too big, your BP might not feel as safe in it, so they may find another. You could try to switch your hide placements to check this.
Hope this helps

[David802]

It's not uncommon for a BP to stay in one hide or another for extended periods of time, how ever if you're worried about it, or you notice one side is never getting used. It can be a good idea to double check your temps. Make sure you are using a digital thermometer or heat gun. The temp stickers they sell at petco are great for finding the temp of the wall of the cage. The problem with this is that bp's are are warmed via belly heat (There's a term for this but I've forgotten what it is.). That means that the temp stickers are not accurate when judging how warm or cold your new BP is. I'd suggest (if you can) that you post a picture of your tank. That would make it lots easier for us all to nitpick it to death. Ha Ha.

I would also suggest you take some time to read the Care Sheet on this forum. It gives some excellent advice and is a must read for any new BP owner.

Also a red heat bulb works well for keeping the ambient temps up in a cage, how ever it will also cause problems with humidity, I would suggest looking into a small or medium UTH and a dimmer switch or thermostat.

Just some suggestions. I'm sure others will follow.

[Tim Personguy]

Thanks for your quick response, but the hide is defenitaly snug and the right size for him. Do you have any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance
-Tim

[Tim Personguy]

Sorry I just read your response after posting so thanks for ur input. i guess he just prefers cooler temps. Since I have only had him for 3 days, i don't think I shlould be worried yet =). I don't have a humidity meter yet do I kind of estimate the humidity based on what others have told me and i;ve yet to aquire a heat gun even though thats one of my priorities. As soon as I see he feeds well, i'll make sure to get ready for the shed by buying humidity meter and temp. gun
Thanks in advance
-Tim

[LeviBP]

I would try a UTH, this could help regulate temps a wee better. However, it shouldn't be anything to worry about. I'm sure he'll "settle down" here in a week or two!
Good luck!

[David802]

Sorry I just read your response after posting so thanks for ur input. i guess he just prefers cooler temps. Since I have only had him for 3 days, i don't think I shlould be worried yet =). I don't have a humidity meter yet do I kind of estimate the humidity based on what others have told me and i;ve yet to aquire a heat gun even though thats one of my priorities. As soon as I see he feeds well, i'll make sure to get ready for the shed by buying humidity meter and temp. gun
Thanks in advance
-Tim

It's quite possible that he won't feed if he/she isn't comfortable. I don't know if humidity will effect whether or not he/she eats but I'd bet it will, temps will also play a major role in whether or not he eats. BP's are notoriously finicky eaters and proper husbandry is key.

I'd suggest you fix his tank before feeding. It's not going to kill him to miss a meal but it may stress him out even more to be offered a meal that he doesn't feel comfortable eating.

To get some ideas on how a proper setup should look you can always watch Youtube video's. Typing "Ball Python Cage Setup" yield's a ton of results, there not all perfect but it sounds like anything is better than what you've got.....(No offense, I understand you didn't set up the cage).

Edit: One question, What are the cage temps, are you using anything other than the red bulb?

[Tim Personguy]

Ok thanks, also I was watching a youtube video which said that your snake may not be healthy if he has some folds or wrinkles when he bends. My bp has this and I was wondering if this is bad or if he is under weight or losing weight?
Thanks in advance
-Tim

[FatBoy]

Try switching the hides for a day, this will give you an idea if it is a temp preference or a hide preference. If he stays on the cool side it's a temp preference...if he moves to the warm side it's a hide preference.

[Tim Personguy]

Ok ill try that and btw here is a pic or my ball....[IMG]C:\Users\nail\Downloads[/IMG]