Hello from New Jersey

[Fiyn]

Hi everybody,

Thought I should make this post to introduce myself. I just bought a piebald ball python yesterday and I thought this would be a good community to be a part of for any questions I might have or concerns. I have some questions and concerns at the moment (as this is my first snake), so if someone could point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it! this is george

[EL-Ziggy]

Welcome and best wishes Fiyn. Georege is a very handsome fellow. What questions or concerns do you have about your new critter?

[Fiyn]

Welcome and best wishes Fiyn. Georege is a very handsome fellow. What questions or concerns do you have about your new critter?

Thanks for taking the time. I'm sure there's plenty of stickied posts regarding all these questions and concerns, feel free to link me if there are.

So, I just got George yesterday. I moved him into his habitat. I had a lot of down time at work today and decided to do some more research, making sure I get him the best I can.

He has two hides in his habitat. They're both half logs, and he's seemed to take a liking to the one on the cool end. I'm sure this is in part because the bulbs I was told to purchase (Thank you PetSmart) are entirely too hot. So first thing in the morning I'm buying a thermostat for the heating mat I have on the side of the habitat and saying goodbye to the lamps. I also want to replace the half logs with something more tight and secure for him. Again, I was misled and told they'll do just fine.

My concern is he's been in his hide all day long, unmoving. From what I've researched, this is a good sign. He feels safe there. I don't want suddenly switch out his safe area tomorrow and cause more stress for him. Do you think it's wise to switch it, or just leave as is?

He's also not flicking his tongue and hasn't since this morning. I'm also worried about that, because I know it's a sign of stress. But I also know the next week is going to be stressful for him regardless of what I try to do.

My final concern is that he hasn't eaten since 01/29/16, according to his feeding chart they provided. I know they can go a while without food, especially during winter months. But how long should I wait before attempting the first feed?

Also, I'd really like to take him to the vet to be absolutely positive I'm not missing any signs of sickness. Also to get him sexed, because they weren't sure of his sex. (hence George. It can quickly be changed to Georgette if needed). I also believe I need a vet on file to get his permit. Obviously I should wait on taking him, but how long would you recommend?

Thanks for any help you can give, sorry if I threw a whole lot at you and I'm all over the place.

[T_Sauer]

Fiyn! George is a handsome looking Pied it wouldn't hurt to wait until he is in one hide and then gently swap out the one he is not in and then if the chance arises later on and he moves to the other then do the other. If you just want to give him the week and not disturb him that is fine also .. I am assuming you have each hide with one end up against the glass? If so it wouldn't hurt to tape a piece of black construction paper on the OUTSIDE of the glass where his hide is so that it will be a little darker in the hides for him. (Remember tape should never be used inside of his enclosure) other than that as long as he has water and you can keep the ambient temp in his enclosure between 78℉ to 86℉ he should be fine for the week. The lack of tongue flicking is not an issue to worry about for right now.

Wait your week to let him calm down and then offer a feeder for him. If he does take the feeder then leave him be for another two days to digest (should always give them 24 to 48 hrs of alone time after feeding). In the mean time you can browse the forums and ask questions on any info you can't find or don't quite understand. And then if you do take him for a check up at the vet, when you bring him back before you put him back into his enclosure you can make any necessary adjustments that you may need or want to.

It never hurts to have him checked on by a herp vet since he is new and from a pet store. They will also be able to let you know whether he is George or Georgette

[cristacake]

Nice looking kid, welcome to the forum

[highqualityballz]

Thanks for taking the time. I'm sure there's plenty of stickied posts regarding all these questions and concerns, feel free to link me if there are.

So, I just got George yesterday. I moved him into his habitat. I had a lot of down time at work today and decided to do some more research, making sure I get him the best I can.

He has two hides in his habitat. They're both half logs, and he's seemed to take a liking to the one on the cool end. I'm sure this is in part because the bulbs I was told to purchase (Thank you PetSmart) are entirely too hot. So first thing in the morning I'm buying a thermostat for the heating mat I have on the side of the habitat and saying goodbye to the lamps. I also want to replace the half logs with something more tight and secure for him. Again, I was misled and told they'll do just fine.

My concern is he's been in his hide all day long, unmoving. From what I've researched, this is a good sign. He feels safe there. I don't want suddenly switch out his safe area tomorrow and cause more stress for him. Do you think it's wise to switch it, or just leave as is?

He's also not flicking his tongue and hasn't since this morning. I'm also worried about that, because I know it's a sign of stress. But I also know the next week is going to be stressful for him regardless of what I try to do.

My final concern is that he hasn't eaten since 01/29/16, according to his feeding chart they provided. I know they can go a while without food, especially during winter months. But how long should I wait before attempting the first feed?

Also, I'd really like to take him to the vet to be absolutely positive I'm not missing any signs of sickness. Also to get him sexed, because they weren't sure of his sex. (hence George. It can quickly be changed to Georgette if needed). I also believe I need a vet on file to get his permit. Obviously I should wait on taking him, but how long would you recommend?

Thanks for any help you can give, sorry if I threw a whole lot at you and I'm all over the place.

Sweet pied, i too am looking into gettiong one. 1. You should be fine switching his hides if you wish to, you can always put the logs back if he doesnt like the new ones. 2. They only flick their tongues when they smell food, i usually see mine only do it on feeding days. 3. I would wait a week or 2 before you offer his first meal. Personally i would offer in a week and if he refused id wait 2 weeks to offer again. You could also wait until you fix your husbandry issues before offering so he doesnt get a habit of refusing. Are you planning on feeding live or f/t?

[Reinz]

Welcome to the forum Fiyn.

George is a good looking guy!

[Fiyn]

Sweet pied, i too am looking into gettiong one. 1. You should be fine switching his hides if you wish to, you can always put the logs back if he doesnt like the new ones. 2. They only flick their tongues when they smell food, i usually see mine only do it on feeding days. 3. I would wait a week or 2 before you offer his first meal. Personally i would offer in a week and if he refused id wait 2 weeks to offer again. You could also wait until you fix your husbandry issues before offering so he doesnt get a habit of refusing. Are you planning on feeding live or f/t?

I was planning on feeding f/t, as that's the diet he was on before I picked him up. If he hasn't had a meal since January, I don't want to risk prolonging his fast with a new source of food. I've handled snakes and have fed f/, before, so I'm very familiar with process of doing it.

I just went out today a purchased a thermostat (I've ordered another digital one as this one just has a "hot" and "cold" knob that just isn't to my liking). I've purchased a new heating mat and positioned it on the bottom of his habitat. I'm finally got the humidity able to stay in, but now it's a bit too high. I was told by a friend who has owned many reptiles to place a damp towel over one end of the cage to keep the humidity up while I was at work. Now the humidity is at about 70, and it's not really dropping.

I have the heat mat hooked up to the thermostat, but the lamp I have is not. The lamps a 100w blue light, but my thermometer isn't reaching the temps I want either. It's currently sitting at 82.6 for the basking temp, and about 78 for the cool temp and seems to shift a few degrees up or down every so often.

This is the setup is now have for George. If I have placed any of the thermometers is wrong places, or anything like that, please advise so I can fix it.

The good news is I have switched out of the hides for the rock type hide you can see on the left. He's taken a liking to that and has hidden himself away again. I'm just really worried that I'm not going to be able to get his temps and humidity levels right. Unfortunately a lot of the temperature control in my home is not under my control. Crazy landlord type stuff. If anyone has any advice on the husbandry aspects, please feel free to share. The money isn't an issue, I'm just trying to keep his stress levels down and get everything settled as quickly as I can.

[highqualityballz]

I was planning on feeding f/t, as that's the diet he was on before I picked him up. If he hasn't had a meal since January, I don't want to risk prolonging his fast with a new source of food. I've handled snakes and have fed f/, before, so I'm very familiar with process of doing it.

I just went out today a purchased a thermostat (I've ordered another digital one as this one just has a "hot" and "cold" knob that just isn't to my liking). I've purchased a new heating mat and positioned it on the bottom of his habitat. I'm finally got the humidity able to stay in, but now it's a bit too high. I was told by a friend who has owned many reptiles to place a damp towel over one end of the cage to keep the humidity up while I was at work. Now the humidity is at about 70, and it's not really dropping.

I have the heat mat hooked up to the thermostat, but the lamp I have is not. The lamps a 100w blue light, but my thermometer isn't reaching the temps I want either. It's currently sitting at 82.6 for the basking temp, and about 78 for the cool temp and seems to shift a few degrees up or down every so often.

This is the setup is now have for George. If I have placed any of the thermometers is wrong places, or anything like that, please advise so I can fix it.

The good news is I have switched out of the hides for the rock type hide you can see on the left. He's taken a liking to that and has hidden himself away again. I'm just really worried that I'm not going to be able to get his temps and humidity levels right. Unfortunately a lot of the temperature control in my home is not under my control. Crazy landlord type stuff. If anyone has any advice on the husbandry aspects, please feel free to share. The money isn't an issue, I'm just trying to keep his stress levels down and get everything settled as quickly as I can.

If he does not eat for awhile i would try live to jumpstart him to breaking his fast. I have a snake i bought that the breeder said eats f/t and live but when i received her she refused f/t for about 3-4 months and lost around 200 grams. When i first offered her live she took it within seconds but i have yet to offer her f/t again and hope to soon. Your humidity is fine as long as everything is dry. Your ambient temps are not bad either at 78 degrees. I would just higher the hot spot(heating mat) alittle bit to about 90. Other than that everything looks great!

[Fiyn]

If he does not eat for awhile i would try live to jumpstart him to breaking his fast. I have a snake i bought that the breeder said eats f/t and live but when i received her she refused f/t for about 3-4 months and lost around 200 grams. When i first offered her live she took it within seconds but i have yet to offer her f/t again and hope to soon. Your humidity is fine as long as everything is dry. Your ambient temps are not bad either at 78 degrees. I would just higher the hot spot(heating mat) alittle bit to about 90. Other than that everything looks great!

I'll be doing that tomorrow when the new thermostat comes in. I'm really not a fan of the one I currently have. The temp has risen to about 87 basking, it may still be going up. Humidity has dropped to about 66 so it looks like everything is starting to balance out. As this is my first snake, I'm just really nervous about messing it up. Given the nature of BPs as well, I just want him to settle in. He's gone back under his hide after doing some looking around, so I'm more content now.