New ball python owner with concerns??

[Lyle]

Hello! So I just adopted a nine month old beautiful ball python that I've named Kitana, and I have a few questions about when I should handle her and what her behavior might mean. She had been with the previous owners since she was a baby so she's very used to people and seems really friendly, however I've heard when being rehomed you shouldn't bother a ball python for at least a week. I've had her three days now and today is supposed to be feeding day, do you think I should feed her or no? Also since I've had her home sometimes at night she likes to climb the walls and roam around. My friend said she's just getting used to the new environment and just looking around but I've also heard she may be hungry? She's not trying to get out or anything just roaming the walla every once in a while. So should I feed her today or at least try? Or will this stress her out too much? Thanks!!

[MJ_Bosley]

I have heard that you shouldn't try to feed her while she is adjusting. Roaming around every now and then is normal, mine does the same. It probably is jist looking around, or maybe it is getring water when you aren't looking. It also might want to go from the warmer side to the cooler side. Just let it get settled in for now

[Craiga 01453]

Congrats on your new snake and welcome to the forum...

I would feed tonight as scheduled. Can't hurt to offer. She may or may not eat, but I would offer anyway. If she refuses, wait a week and try again. No worries at all.

As for handling, I would wait at least a week. I personally like to wait until a new snake has accepted and eaten 3 consecutive meals with me before I do much handling. Until then, I keep handling to a minimum. This may be a bit over kill, but it works for me and my animals just fine.

Lastly, it's perfectly normal for a BP to explore a bit at night. She may be hungry, but she may just be exploring a bit. If she was active all day/night that would be cause for concern and probably mean something is off with your husbandry. Speaking of...

What are you running for equipment?
How are you heating the enclosure? How are you regulating your heat sources?
What's your humidity?
How are you reading temps and humidity?
Where are you measuring your temps?

Providing us with this info will help us help you make sure everything is good to go for your new snake.

[Lyle]

Congrats on your new snake and welcome to the forum...

I would feed tonight as scheduled. Can't hurt to offer. She may or may not eat, but I would offer anyway. If she refuses, wait a week and try again. No worries at all.

As for handling, I would wait at least a week. I personally like to wait until a new snake has accepted and eaten 3 consecutive meals with me before I do much handling. Until then, I keep handling to a minimum. This may be a bit over kill, but it works for me and my animals just fine.

Lastly, it's perfectly normal for a BP to explore a bit at night. She may be hungry, but she may just be exploring a bit. If she was active all day/night that would be cause for concern and probably mean something is off with your husbandry. Speaking of...

What are you running for equipment?
How are you heating the enclosure? How are you regulating your heat sources?
What's your humidity?
How are you reading temps and humidity?
Where are you measuring your temps?

Providing us with this info will help us help you make sure everything is good to go for your new snake.

So here's an update I guess lol: I tried offering her food tonight and she not only refused but was very clearly in defense mode and tried to snap at me. So I'll leave her alone until next week. I felt kind of bad even trying because after I left her alone she still stayed in the S shape for a few minutes. I know this is silly to say but I hope she doesn't hate me and I hope I'm doing everything that's required of me. Right now I'm just using the heat lamp the past owner gave me but it's kinda frustrating trying to make sure the heat and humidity are always where they're supposed to be. I have a UTH but I don't want to use it until my thermostat comes in the mail this week. I've heard humidity is more regulated with a UTH but it's so difficult to keep moisture in the tank with a heat lamp . And I have two thermometers one on the cool side one on the basking side, I know it's silly but it makes me less paranoid about the temps and the humidity.

[Regius_049]

So here's an update I guess lol: I tried offering her food tonight and she not only refused but was very clearly in defense mode and tried to snap at me. So I'll leave her alone until next week. I felt kind of bad even trying because after I left her alone she still stayed in the S shape for a few minutes. I know this is silly to say but I hope she doesn't hate me and I hope I'm doing everything that's required of me. Right now I'm just using the heat lamp the past owner gave me but it's kinda frustrating trying to make sure the heat and humidity are always where they're supposed to be. I have a UTH but I don't want to use it until my thermostat comes in the mail this week. I've heard humidity is more regulated with a UTH but it's so difficult to keep moisture in the tank with a heat lamp . And I have two thermometers one on the cool side one on the basking side, I know it's silly but it makes me less paranoid about the temps and the humidity.

Previously you noted that the snake "seems very friendly", but after the introduction of the mouse she seems snappy? I am not there, so obviously I don't have much information, but is it possible she was snapping at the mouse? Was it live or frozen/thawed?

You really shouldn't feel bad for trying. Many people, myself included, have had snakes eat the day after arrival without issue. It is perhaps more typical for them to feed after a week or so, but by no means is it always the case. Also, as you have no doubt discovered, heat lamps are the bane of humidity. A UTH will make it much easier to regulate and lots of keepers use two thermometers like yours are set up (one on the cool side and one on the warm side), so you are hardly silly.

[Craiga 01453]

So here's an update I guess lol: I tried offering her food tonight and she not only refused but was very clearly in defense mode and tried to snap at me. So I'll leave her alone until next week. I felt kind of bad even trying because after I left her alone she still stayed in the S shape for a few minutes. I know this is silly to say but I hope she doesn't hate me and I hope I'm doing everything that's required of me. Right now I'm just using the heat lamp the past owner gave me but it's kinda frustrating trying to make sure the heat and humidity are always where they're supposed to be. I have a UTH but I don't want to use it until my thermostat comes in the mail this week. I've heard humidity is more regulated with a UTH but it's so difficult to keep moisture in the tank with a heat lamp . And I have two thermometers one on the cool side one on the basking side, I know it's silly but it makes me less paranoid about the temps and the humidity.

Ok, thanks for the update. You didn't do anything wrong by attempting and your snake will not hate you.

What type of prey did you offer? Was it live or F/T?
Also, are you sure it was appropriately sized?
And, lastly, are you sure it was a strike at you? Snakes will definitely miss their target sometimes, so perhaps she just missed?

What are the ambient temps in the room where the snake is kept? You can probably ditch the lamp for now, until you can get it regulated. This will help with temps as well as humidity for the time being.
Yes, please keep the UTH unplugged til your tstat arrives.