Newbie Advice: Hyperactive Ball Python: Advice Please!!

[mking34]

Hi Ya Guys,

Hope i've posted this in the right spot?

Total newbie here! Have a behaviour question for you all and hopefully will put my mind at rest. I have had my 5 month old Ball called Peanut for 4 weeks now, i have had no problems with feeding (1st strike) and she shed last week in 2 pieces over 3 days, i did have to wrap her in a warm damp towel to get the last tail bit off bit it was no bother to her. She has been camping out in her hides since i got her and for the 1st 3 weeks kept handling to a minimum as she seemed nervous. The tank (Glass) is a bit big for her but its packed out with loads of plants, logs, 3 hides so only the front side is clear glass.
Over the last couple of days she has taken to motoring round her tank day and night, climbing up the hanging plants and seems really keen to escape, even balancing on the log and trying to stretch up to reach the roof. Nothing has changed in the tank.. Temperatures are 80-81f cool side, ambient temp 83/84f and basking spot 94f. Humidity varies as i have a Exo Terra and i need to mist but i always keep it within 50% - 65% (higher for shedding)
Is her behaviour normal, is she just gaining confidence and testing out her space or should i be worried? It really is a total turnaround of character.. i am pleased that she’s being super ballsy (excuse the pun!) but im a bit nervous that its not for a good reason? When i take her out and handle her she is active and alert but again seem very keen to get away as well?
Also after 4 feeds of 1 rat pup each time she has not pooed yet, she was really thin and dehydrated when i got her (BAD BAD pet store) but she’s filled out since i’ve had her. I am getting a bit worried that she’s constipated as well?
Any advice gratefully received!

[llovelace]

Welcome to BP.net

What type hides do you have in her enclosure?
Is the heat source on a thermostat?
what are you using to measure your temps with?

Don't worry, it's doubtful that she is constipated, being that she was undernourished when you got her, she's probably using all the nutrients from the food source, she will go when she has to.

[mking34]

Hi Ya Guys,

Posted this 1st in General Herp section.. but i’m a bit blonde when it comes to forums so am re-posting here!

Total newbie here.. can ya guess lol!
Have a behaviour question for you all and hopefully will put my mind at rest. I have had my 5 month old Ball for 4 weeks now, i have had no problems with feeding (1st strike) and she shed last week in 2 pieces over 3 days, i did have to wrap her in a warm damp towel to get the last tail bit off bit it was no bother to her. She has been camping out in her hides since i got her and for the 1st 3 weeks kept handling to a minimum as she seemed nervous. The tank (Glass) is a bit big for her but its packed out with loads of plants, logs, 3 hides so only the front side is clear glass.
Over the last couple of days she has taken to motoring round her tank, climbing up the hanging plants and seems really keen to escape, even balancing on the log and trying to stretch up to reach the roof. Nothing has changed in the tank.. Temperatures are 80-81f cool side, ambient temp 83/84f and basking spot 94f. Humidity varies as i have a Exo Terra and i need to mist but i always keep it within 50% - 65% (higher for shedding)
Is her behaviour normal, is she just gaining confidence and testing out her space or should i be worried? It really is a total turnaround of character.. i am pleased that she’s being super ballsy but a bit nervous that its not for a good reason? When i take her out and handle her she is active and alert but again seem very keen to get away as well?
Also after 4 feeds of 1 rat pup each time she has not pooed yet, she was really thin and dehydrated when i get her (BAD BAD pet store) but she’s filled out since i’ve had her. I am getting a bit worried that she’s constipated as well?
Any advice gratefully received!

[RetiredJedi]

If she is exploring at night that is normal but if it's during the day then something might be stressing her out or she could be hungry. If you think she's constipated let her sit in some warm water for a little bit and it might loosen her up. I could tell when my guy was stopped up a little because his tail area seemed a bit swollen. However, they go to the bathroom three different ways...liquid pee, poo, and solid pee (it's white chunks) called urates.

[JLC]

I merged the threads so there's no confusion about where to look for your answers. Now they'll all be in one thread.

If you're confident of your temps, and she's eating well and shedding well....then about the cruising, I'd say "Enjoy it while you can." If she was in rough shape when you got her, it's very likely that she's just finally starting to feel better and feel more inclined to explore her world and test its boundaries. After awhile, she'll probably settle back down to sleeping 99% of the time. From time to time, they will get it in their wee little heads to explore and test the limits of their enclosures. It's a nice reminder to check your temps and make sure things are running properly, but other than that, is really nothing to worry about.

[mking34]

Thanks JLC for merging my threads, i will get the hang of this LOL!

llovelace: I have a Habistat B1ME hooked up to a infrared buld 150w, i have a tall tank so i need a powerful bulb as i don't wanting blowing too quick by running it a full pelt all the time. Am measuring my temps with 2 probes 1 under hot spot and other in coolest end. Themostat senor is in the middle to measure ambiet air temp. Have a digital humdity guage in the cool end too.
I have a temp gun coming next week... yes i am turning in to a equipment geek.. only the best will do. LOL last week had a heat wave and the humidity in the tank shot up so a fan got brought not for us but for peanuts tank to blow over the top of the tank.... much to my boyfriends exasperation
I have 3 hides i small cave, one half coconut (with moss) and a large plastic rock which has 2 holes for her to wiggle into.

JLC: yep am sure of my temps as i am still neurotically checking them... 1st time mum and all that. When i left this morning everything was fine.

Will feed her tonight and leave her to her own devices for a bit and monitor her behaviour. Maybe i've been handling her to much? It's a bit nerve wracking being new to all this! But i'm hooked and Peanut will be the 1st of many i'm sure

Will keep you posted as to her exploites!

[mking34]

Sorry for the rubbish spelling!!

[JLC]

Sorry for the rubbish spelling!!

Hehe...no worries...we're not too picky!

Welcome to BP.net, by the way. Looking forward to more exploits!