Please Help! New BP Owner!

[OmNomNom]

I move it, because feeding it in it's original tank is dangerous. It can teach your snake that when the lid comes off, food is comming. And I don't want to be bit. But the food problem doesn't explain her being so aggresive lately.

Don't know who exactly is giving you your advice, but I'd read around the forums and the internet a bit more for some information.

Some people feed in the cage, some people remove and feed out. Ball pythons are generally pretty good at figuring out if you're food or not though, and I at least have never had any problems feeding in or out with my guy. I go near him and he could care less, but wave a mouse in his vicinity and you'd better have a good long pair of hemostats to go along with it.

[Skittles1101]

Also, for the record, the high activity is a sign of stress. A happy ball python is a hiding ball python. I strongly advise you to check out the caresheet I linked in my other posts, it sounds like you've gotten severely bad advice from Petco or Petsmart.

[AMBiEN22]

Hey! I'll share my two cents!

When i first got my female pastel from a breeder i had her setup in a ten gallon tank. Luckily i was able to find these forums before purchasing my snake and getting the enclosure all set up for her so when she came home she would feel safe and secure. The reason why i am telling you this is because i had a similar feeding issue and the same nervousness you were feeling being a first time snake keeper.

When it comes to the enclosure i would say definitely downsize! I will attached a very helpful picture that some BUT NOT ALL ball python owners go by! Note that the size of the ball python really is not the issue, but rather the weight of the ball python itself. In the picture below you will see weights in grams, the appropriate prey item, and even the recommended enclosure size (Both for tubs and aquarium style enclosures). I want to make it clear that i did not make this picture and the credit is due to its original maker!


When it comes to the feeding i would definitely say feed her at least two or three pinkies at the next feeding depending on her weight. I fed my female every 5 days until she hit 500 grams, then she went on a weekly basis.

Also i am not sure if i missed reading if you have a thermostat hooked up to the tank or not. But regardless i will include a link below on how i assembled my aquarium style tank for my ball python.
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ew-setup/page2

I included a lot of useful pictures within that thread and my ball python has still never missed a meal even after going into her new tub system (knock on wood)!

My only advice is cover all your bases, read the care sheet on this website, browse the forums, and lastly make sure your husbandry is up to par! Also never be afraid to ask for help.

[BallsUnlimited]

Also, for the record, the high activity is a sign of stress. A happy ball python is a hiding ball python. I strongly advise you to check out the caresheet I linked in my other posts, it sounds like you've gotten severely bad advice from Petco or Petsmart.

Couldnt agree with you more Lgray. Who ever is giving the OP advice needs a good lesson in the care of ball pythons.

[NightOfTheRaven]

Everyone says something different. And for the record. I did my homework and I used to work at a Nature rehabiliation center and got some advice from the reptile handlers and caregivers. I guess it depends on who you talk to and who thinks they know it all. I read that ball pythons curl up in a ball when stressed or threatened. So maybe my info isn't the stuff that is wrong. Thank you anyways.

[sho220]

i did my homework

c-

[NightOfTheRaven]

c-

I hate grades

[AK907]

Everyone says something different. And for the record. I did my homework and I used to work at a Nature rehabiliation center and got some advice from the reptile handlers and caregivers. I guess it depends on who you talk to and who thinks they know it all. I read that ball pythons curl up in a ball when stressed or threatened. So maybe my info isn't the stuff that is wrong. Thank you anyways.

Wow... Just wow... Gotta love these uppity know it all types.

The folks here are just trying to help and all you want to do is blame it on something else and use your subtle sarcasm. The folks who have responded, like LGray and BallsUnlimited are very respected in this hobby and they know what they are talking about. I doubt anyone with any lick of knowledge here will disagree with their advice. You can ignore the advice of the folks here have given you and all that will happen is it will end in the suffering and most likely the untimely death of your snake. People with your attitude are what gives us reptile keepers a bad name.

But if you want a second opinion, ask the same question on any respectable forum or call any respectable breeder and ask them.

Here, I will help.

www.faunaclassifieds.com
www.kingsnake.com
www.albinonile.com
www.bhbreptiles.com
www.coldbloodedaddiction.com
www.richsballpythons.com

I could go on all posting links to breeders and forums for advice, but honestly, I think it will all be in vain.

[NightOfTheRaven]

I've visited that kingsnake.com place before. Not for this subject, but other reptile stuff. It is a good site. And I'm just making a point. People have different methods for different things. Getting advice from several sources and picking what is most commonly known is not a crime. Subtle sarcasm is my specialty when people start acting like know-it-alls. I just wanted to know what was with the strange behavior all of the sudden. I didn't need four different paragraphs on what is wrong and right because everyone does it differently. Some use heat lamps (which I wouldn't recomend) others use heating pads. Some use big tanks, others small. I go based on what I read most commonly in books and articles. Every now and then I get opinions or help from snake owners.

[angllady2]

My advice to you on books and internet article is look at the date. Some of the books out there are 10 years old or more, and the information in them is very much outdated. Same thing with internet articles. Some have been around for years and years.

I respect you have spoken to reptile people. My question there is how many had direct experience with ball pythons specifically ? Different species of snake have very different needs and habits. Just because I know everything there is to know about a green anaconda doesn't mean I know jack about cornsnakes. There is a reason this place is called "ball pythons.net". It's because everyone here keeps, breeds, raises, shows and is enthusiastic about ball pythons. To discard the cumulative knowledge of hundreds of ball python keepers with thousands of years of combined experience because your "reptile expert" told you something different seems kind of silly to me.

Undoubtedly you will do whatever you feel is best for your snake, and no one can stop you from that. But when well intentioned people try to steer you in a better direction, don't automatically discount what they say when it isn't what you want to hear.

Gale