Please Help! New BP Owner!

[NightOfTheRaven]

I didn't discount their advice. It just didn't answer what I wanted to know.

[Daybreaker]

Ok, so I bought a 15-16 inch, pastel ball python July 6th. I've fed her 3 times so far. She has never turned down food until now. She has been VERY active since I got her and tolerates being held a few minutes at a time. But the past 2-3 days, she has just sat curled up in a ball for the most part. I have a heating pad on one side, humidity gauges, thermometers, and etc. I can't find any reason for her to be stressed, but she is very unactive and won't eat. It is around the time she is supposed to shed, but her eyes aren't milky blue and her scales aren't flaky or anything. Why is she acting this way? I'm super worried! She won't stay in the warm half of the 45 gal. tank either. I checked to make sure it wasn't too hot and the humidity was ok. She just wants to stay where it is cool, I guess. But now she won't let me hold her. She's being very irritable. Please help me!

By The Way:
I checked her underbelly and it looks perfectly normal. No rotten scales or anything. Why could she be acting this way?

I didn't discount their advice. It just didn't answer what I wanted to know.

Hiding is a good thing, as a "hiding bp is a happy bp". She may be hiding more so right now because she may be going into shed (you might have missed the blue stage or it's on it's way): I know my snakes become hermits when they start to go into shed and will remain that way until they're done shedding and ready to eat.

She may be angry/defensive if there's something off with husbandry (which others have already given very good suggestions on).

[NightOfTheRaven]

You can stop posting on this topic now.

BTW: What I was trying to say earlier is that everyone has a different view of how things are done. Certain things people told me in this post I believe and/or already do. Other stuff, I don't agree with. For some people this may be backwards or some people just believe everything. It all depends on who you are, your outlook on the situation, and how gullible you are. Getting a second opinion isn't a crime nor is it stupid. I have asked around on different forums, asked people I know who have BPs, and checked some books. I do value good advice, but on occasion I don't agree with certain things. There is NOTHING wrong with knowing your stuff, there IS something wrong with rubbing it in someone elses face. (That goes for every subject, not just snakes.) I learned that the hard way in Middle School.
So some of that snake stuff you guys actually helped me with, others just drove me to the edge of worried/stressed.

Thanks for your help. No more "replies" are needed.

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Hiding is a good thing, as a "hiding bp is a happy bp". She may be hiding more so right now because she may be going into shed (you might have missed the blue stage or it's on it's way): I know my snakes become hermits when they start to go into shed and will remain that way until they're done shedding and ready to eat.

I think she might be going into shed, because I just checked about an hour ago and her eyes are looking very cloudy/milky. Thanks!

[PorcelainxDoll]

Just my input abiut the feeding ib the enclisure xausing aggression:

I feed my 2 yr old bp live rats in his enclosure, he is NEVER aggrwssive when i enter his space. He has been fed this way all his life, the only way yours will show aggrwssion is if you happen to smell like gishis food when you habdle him.

If you insist on keeping your large tank make sure you put some plants or several places for yoi baby bp to hide in they do not like being out in the open and exposed.

You will not see your bp moce around much they hide 98% of the day. Usually only coming out at night since thhere nocturnal.
I wouls make sure your temps are corrext with a digital thermomwter because if you happen to have an anolog obe those are veryinaccurate.

Note to the Op i posted this before i saw your final post, and just some other advice if you keep being rude or defensive to thers advice peopke are gonna be less inclined to want to help you in the future

[heathers*bps]

The advice given to you is the answer to why your bp is acting the way it is. If you know everything you need to know about taking care of your snake, why make a post asking for help?

No one is acting like a know-it-all. Except you. Everyone that has posted to this thread is trying to help you, answer the questions you asked, and help you and your snake get on the proper track. Do what you wish with what was given to you.

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Oh. And your "subtle sarcasm" isn't going to get you anywhere.

[RoseyReps]

I didn't discount their advice. It just didn't answer what I wanted to know.

I'm not trying to be rude, but it sounds to me more like it didn't answer what you wanted to hear. You seem to be taking constructive criticism of your husbandry to heart, and I'm sure others will agree they meant no ill will by it. When a snake is acting out of character, the first thing you should look at is husbandry. They pointed out possible solutions to your dillema. They are basing these suggestions on years and years of successful BP keeping / breeding etc. It's hard to hear that you might be doing something wrong..I know. But these folks are trying their best to help you. They are not being malicious, or "know-it-all's" seems to me they're giving you advice on things you could change and see if it helps. I'm a super newbie, I have learned so much from this community and definitely think its worth hearing them out. I hope whatever you choose to do, that your little one thrives.

[NightOfTheRaven]

I think I have figured out what is wrong with my BP.

I got what I needed to know. I never said anything about knowing everything there is to know. There is always more to learn. But what I DID say does still stand. You may think what I think is right is wrong and I might think the same about you, but there is always going to be someone else who doesn't think either of us is right. Now appreciate all you guys help, but I'm done now. Thankies.

[LadyWraith]

I think I have figured out what is wrong with my BP.

I got what I needed to know. I never said anything about knowing everything there is to know. There is always more to learn. But what I DID say does still stand. You may think what I think is right is wrong and I might think the same about you, but there is always going to be someone else who doesn't think either of us is right. Now appreciate all you guys help, but I'm done now. Thankies.

I would like to point out that YOU came here, WILLINGLY, asking the knowledgeable people on this forum for ADVICE. No one came to you looking to be a know-it-all and tell you what's up. You sought it out yourself. You asked a question and you got good, quality answers that WORK from people who (combined) own thousands of this particular breed of snake. The advice wasn't what you wanted to hear but *shrug* have some respect for yourself and the people here, and drop the attitude. Honestly, if you had used the search bar located above, you could have found all of this advice repeated over and over and therefore saved yourself the trouble of essentially web yelling at everyone. Just sayin'. Moral of the story... holy crap, try using sugar instead of vinegar, it'll attract a lot more flies.

[NightOfTheRaven]

I'm not trying to have an attitude, I'm trying to get the point across that I got what I need to know and solved my problem. People don't need to post anymore. When I came here I expected to get 3-4 answers on what might be wrong, not 50 different paragraphs. Instead of giving me a lesson in attitudes that is frankly pointless considering I'm trying not to have an attitude, you could be helping someone else who needs more advice.

[heathers*bps]

I'm not trying to have an attitude, I'm trying to get the point across that I got what I need to know and solved my problem. People don't need to post anymore. When I came here I expected to get 3-4 answers on what might be wrong, not 50 different paragraphs. Instead of giving me a lesson in attitudes that is frankly pointless considering I'm trying not to have an attitude, you could be helping someone else who needs more advice.

First off, this is a public forum, with thousands of members. There is hardly any threads on this forum with 3-4 responses. Each individual will come here and offer a tidbit more advice. And we can post as often and as many times as we like.

Secondly, you using large font and in red came off as attitude, and almost yelling. Again, these things are not going to get you far.

Lastly, if you don't care what else people post on this thread, please help yourself to the unsubscribe button.