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Thread: Need advice!

  1. #1
    Registered User Webley's Avatar
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    Need advice!

    I decided i wanted to start keeping ball pythons earlier this year. I did a lot or research and long story short i got four ball pythons today! They are absolutely beautiful, but i'm concerned about my current setup. Im using a Animal Plastics rack with a herpstat and sterilite tubs. They have hides and water bowls as well. The females are all doing fairly well, but my male is really irritated. While i was unpacking them this morning he was the only aggresive one. He hissed and struck at me twice. I expected that! The problem is that throught the rest of day he's been very irriatable. staying in an aggresive posture and curling up when i walk by. He even stuck at the tub when i was in his view. My rack is off the floor next to my desk. i spend most of my time here. I'm worried my daily activity will bother him. Although it doesn't seem to bother the others. Any help on how to tame him down a bit? He was last fed almost a week ago too. If that helps. I will take any and all advice you can offer. I'm new to BPs. I really want to be a good keeper and make sure my animals are healthy.

  2. #2
    BPnet Senior Member I-KandyReptiles's Avatar
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    Feed him every week?

    ---------
    0.1 Dog (Truffles)
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    ?.?.? ASFs

  3. #3
    Registered User Webley's Avatar
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    Re: Need advice!

    I just got him today. His next regular feeding day would be tomorrow

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    Re: Need advice!

    I would wait about a week before handling or feeding to let him settle in. After a week offer food as usual, I only open the tub to feed/clean for the first 3 weeks of arrival with ones who are especially feisty. He is probably just shook up from the journey and will start to act like the others once he settles in for a few days.

    On the other hand you might have an agressive ball, which is uncommon but does occasionally happen... I doubt it though because you just got them today.

  5. #5
    BPnet Veteran RoseyReps's Avatar
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    If he has an appropriate hide on each end of the tub, I wouldn't be too worried about disturbing him. He should be inside his hides once he finds them.

    Is it the open sided rack? If so, you could cover the side facing your desk with a towel, might help a little?

    I'm sure he'll calm down eventually, probably still just spooked from the trip. Just try and leave them alone until they've fed for you a few times, aside from maintenance (water changes, poop scooping, etc).

    Congrats on your new babies! Can't wait to see them

  6. #6
    BPnet Senior Member I-KandyReptiles's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Webley View Post
    I just got him today. His next regular feeding day would be tomorrow
    Leave him alone for a week. Don't offer food. Only change the water, etc.

    He needs time to settle in.

    And also, why is he not in quarantine

    ---------
    0.1 Dog (Truffles)
    0.1 Naked Cat (Mercedes)
    1.0 Hamster (Pumpkin)
    1.1 Bumblebees (Satyana & Weedle)
    0.3 Normals (Shayla, Rita and Althea)
    0.1 100% Het Pied Ringer (Avalon)
    1.0 Pied (Monsieur Piederoff)
    1.0 Lesser 100% Het Albino poss het OG (Tinersons)
    0.1 Spider Albino (Ivy)
    0.1 Mojave Cinnamon (Morticia)
    1.1 Normal BCIs (Damon and Conga)
    0.1 Crested Gecko (Natasha)
    0.0.1 Rosehair Tarantula (Charlotte)
    0.0.1 P.Metallica
    0.0.1 A.Avicularia
    0.0.2 P.Irminia
    0.0.1 L.Parahybona
    0.0.1 N.Coloratovillosus
    ?.?.? ASFs

  7. #7
    Registered User Webley's Avatar
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    He only has one hide right now. he's still in a small tub so theres not really room for two and a water bowl. I hope i don't spook hime too much. I plan to buy some cypress mulch tomorrow. I'm currently useing paper towels. I think adding a different substrate to reduse how much i need to clean will help alot! I'm also not quarantining him because all my snakes came from the same breeder. I just freaked out because of how well the females have done in comparison.

    Thanks for all the advice everyone! It has really calmed my nerves about it so far.

    P.S. I can't wait to get pictures of them up for everyone! They are really beautiful
    Last edited by Webley; 10-31-2012 at 09:17 PM.

  8. #8
    Registered User Webley's Avatar
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    Re: Need advice!

    I do have an open sided rack. his tub is on the far side though

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