Week two of having her. Still striking. Normal?

[Mangiapane85]

While the tank LOOKS nice, I just can't help but think that that is just TOO MUCH for an 86 g baby ball. I would downsize it to something smaller and less intimidating. Just my opinion though.


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[Ptshay]

Are the two hides log hides? If they are you should consider changing them out for hides with only one opening where they can feel safe. I also recommend leaving it alone for awhile and keep handling to a minimum.

One is a log hide caves, so they have one opening. The other is a half log, which She goes to the half log with no issue. But I understand what you're saying. I've gotta go get substrate today and I've heard that alot.

So you're (and everyone else is) saying there is a correlation between striking and not having two of the exact same hides? She goes to her half log when she wants to thermoregulate

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[Ptshay]

While the tank LOOKS nice, I just can't help but think that that is just TOO MUCH for an 86 g baby ball. I would downsize it to something smaller and less intimidating. Just my opinion though.


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I've honestly spent a butt ton of money on this cage, so going to a Tupperware box would just like be super poopy lol. The cage, thermometers, light fixtures, hides, plants, uth, controllers, humidifier etc. To just go to a plastic box would beat me up emotionally, I know it reduces stress, but I got her to have her on display and not breed. If she can over come anything, it should be living in this cage with three sides covered and the ceiling. She's explored alot and should know she's safe.

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[Stewart_Reptiles]

While young animals that size are usually defensive, stress and husbandry issue can increase the issue.

The key is to address the husbandry and limit stress which also mean limiting handling as well.

I've honestly spent a butt ton of money on this cage, so going to a Tupperware box would just like be super poopy lol.
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The setup will still be there when your BP is the proper size to go in it, right now it does not matter if you spend a lot of money or not, the priority is to limit stress, obviously your BP is stressed there is no doubt about it.

So you can

A/ Do nothing and keep having the issue

B/ Try to remedy to the issue by providing an optimal setup for an animal that size and age. https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101 (This is a TEMPORARY measure that is proven)

Ultimately YOUR call but you are misreading your animal, exploring a lot does not mean the animal feels safe. If you chose aesthetic and money over the well being and need of your animal it's on you, YOU are the one having the issue and asking for advice.

[Rikoku]

I've honestly spent a butt ton of money on this cage, so going to a Tupperware box would just like be super poopy lol. The cage, thermometers, light fixtures, hides, plants, uth, controllers, humidifier etc. To just go to a plastic box would beat me up emotionally, I know it reduces stress, but I got her to have her on display and not breed. If she can over come anything, it should be living in this cage with three sides covered and the ceiling. She's explored alot and should know she's safe.

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I had both my ball pythons in a tank and I hardly ever saw them. They like to stay in their hides 95% of the time. A hiding snake is a happy snake. If you wanted a display snake, a BP was not a great choice, a GTP would be more up your alley.

[chakup]

Check your numbers and temps (gauge seems low for hot side) cover up the sides and listen to the advice that's been given. A tank can work- but you have to lose the idea of making it pretty for you and instead setup for your animal.
Here's what I put together (we'll see opinions)

[Ptshay]

I had both my ball pythons in a tank and I hardly ever saw them. They like to stay in their hides 95% of the time. A hiding snake is a happy snake. If you wanted a display snake, a BP was not a great choice, a GTP would be more up your alley.

Yeah she hides during the day all day then comes out at night for like 30 min, checks out the water bowl, and climbs on a tree typically. I'm not saying she's out 24/7 lol

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[Mangiapane85]

I had both my ball pythons in a tank and I hardly ever saw them. They like to stay in their hides 95% of the time. A hiding snake is a happy snake. If you wanted a display snake, a BP was not a great choice, a GTP would be more up your alley.

Or a king snake. I have an adult Florida. They LOVE to cruise.

But to the OP. Spending money is just part of this. But as was already mentioned, Ball pythons are happiest when they are HIDDEN. If she's exploring ALOT, especially during the daytime, she's probably trying to find a way out. Sorry, but that's how I view them as animals. I keep all mine in tubs. They NEVER strike, ALWAYS eat and when I take them out they love to crawl all over the place.... my first rack is on the way from C serpents (can't wait!!), but just because I plan on breeding doesn't mean I treat my snakes as prisoners. I take them out every other day at least for playtime. But I keep them in small, simplistic tubs because I know as CAPTIVE BRED animals, that's what they are most comfortable with. Now if they were a wild caught, it may be different. .. nevertheless, it's your call, your choice.


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[Mangiapane85]

And to further my point. Both of these tanks I'm about to show is what I spent hundreds of dollars on when I first started with this Ball Python thing. But I'll be honest, I didn't know much about them. Now I do. But here's the first one I bought for my first BP. Obviously now being occupied by a Hypo Florida kingsnake :



And now I have this second one that just sits, EMPTY. But at least I know my balls are happier now in their tubs. Maybe (probably not), but maybe when they're older I'll put them in a display tank. I know I make people mad when I say this, but they just seem to thrive in a small enclosure. I think a lot of people don't realize that these animals are captive born, so their "natural" instincts and desires are slightly skewed.



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[blue roses]

You need to check your temps and humidity first, then i'd change those log hides out for 2 of the rock hides with only 1 hole. I use the exo-terra rock cave and my guys love them. When they get too small i just buy the next size up, and always buy them in pairs, so they are the same. You have a baby, so i would not handle much until she feels secure. Once you get the hides changed give her another few weeks of settlingin and eating, then start short 5 min. sessions. BPs are like any other pet, each are different. My boy has been a sweetiy since i got him as a baby, but my girl is easily stressed so she is not handled as much or as long. Niether strike at us but we also handle them differently, according to their stress tolerance. Just have a little patience and it will all work out.