1 Month In... some questions.

[baazi1]

Hello BP.net!

Well, Ally is doing quite wonderful after a month of ownership. She's about to have her 4th feeding this evening and I'm certain she is thrilled with anticipation! A couple questions from this new owner after a month in.

She seems to be in good health, sticks under her hide pretty much 90% of the time (it's the warmest and humidity is highest in there). I assume this is normal. We waiting about 2 weeks and then started getting her out 3-4 times a week. The wife holds her and Ally seems pretty OK with wrapping around her hands, slithering the tongue and investigating the nearby ottoman. After about 20 minutes, we notice that she seems to get cold (I keep it quite cool in the house, even during winter)) and return her to her home.

The water dish has been dormant pretty much. I have never seen her enter the dish or take a drink or bathe (granted I'm not home during the day, so I have no idea what she does during that time (although it is the time the heat lamp is on, so I just assume she chills out in the hide). One other thing we have noticed is she has not started to shed. Is this a problem?

Hot side is 87-89 degrees with 50% humidity.
Cool side is 72-75 degrees with 44% humidity.

We don't notice any mites and other than the not shedding thing, we think everything is A-OK!

Any suggestions or comments about what I've written, especially on the shedding part?

Appreciate any feedback!

[LittleTreeGuy]

I'm in the exact same boat, and have had my snake for about the same amount of time. Never seen mine go near the water bowl. Even when I put her back in her cage, I put her near it, so she knows it's there, but just slithers away to her hide. I've read where snakes may only shed 3-4 times a year... 4 times would be every 3 months... so my plan is to not get worried until I've had her for three months and don't see a shed... I'm sure that may not be science though... but more with the growth of the snake. i could be wrong.

Anywho, best of luck and congratulations on your new snake. I'm glad I'm not the only new guy here.

[bks2100]

She'll probably shed soon but no telling when. I wouldn't worry if her skin still looks fine, only worry when it's obviously shedding and not coming off. Your humidity is right where mine was when I had my first snake in a tank and the first shed didn't go well. That was almost a month ago and he still has some pieces that I haven't been able to get off with a bunch of soaks.

And that 4 times a year is an average, when the snake is really small and growing faster they usually shed a bit more often. I've been tracking sheds on my snakes but it's not something I think is super important to track. I just do it so if something does come up I know when the last one was.

[That_One_New_Guy]

They will shed when the are ready to. It seems like your first month went alot better than mine did. But that almost a year ago. Don't worry about her feeling cool when you take her out. Remember that your body temperature is 98 degrees and their ideal is 70-80 degrees they will feel cool to you

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[Asherah]

How are you measuring temps and what is your heat source? Heat lamp?
The hot spot is pretty good, but the cool side should be right around 80.

As for the water bowl, that's pretty normal. You will rarely see a BP drink.

[baazi1]

I followed along the Stickied Set up Glass Tank thread to setup the tank. Instead of 1 thermometer, I have two. The heating pad is under the tank and directly under the big hide, the heat lamp is above the big hide and comes on during the day for about 12/13 hours. The cool side get's up to about 80 during that time.

I'm hoping she gets more accustomed to her surroundings and starts coming out to watch the tiny world we have for her

[ItsAllNew2Me!]

Hi and welcome to the Club!! . Sounds like your first month is going really well. There is no worry on the shedding as the others have mentioned as they only shed a few times a year. Just make sure when she does go into shed that you up that humidity or she will have some issues. As for the water dish i have had one of my ball pythons for over a year and i have never seen him show the slightest interest in it. I have never seen him drink from it nor go in it. If you ever see your snake constantly in the bowl then I would see that as an issue so i think your good

[redshepherd]

Being in their hide 90% of the time is A-okay and totally normal. If she were outside exploring too often, that may be a sign of something wrong (an issue in temperature, hungry, or she left a giant poo in her hide).

Ball pythons won't bathe unless there is something wrong. So no bathing is good. If you see your snake soaking, it means either to check for mites or check if your humidity is too low.

They do drink pretty secretly/rarely/both, so that's okay too!

The humidity could be bumped up a little bit on both sides, just to avoid potential issues with shedding. At least 50~60% would be ideal.

She will shed when she does, no worries. Snakes who eat a lot and grow faster will shed at a faster rate.

[JodanOrNoDan]

I often catch mine drinking after they eat.