Just a question about my new ball

[Taying]

Hello I just got a three month old male ball python. His name is Rumples. Anyways my questions deal with shedding and behavior.

Behavior: So rumples has been acting really weird. For example when ever I try and hold him which I haven’t been very often because he is having a bad shed and he has only fed once with me. Whenever I try and take him out of his enclosure he backs away and then when I am actually holding him he is fine. Then with his shed it had not been coming off in one piece so I was soaking him then when I would take him out of the tub he would try and get away from me. And I know that is just because he is stressed. But will that go away or is he always going to be like that? Also what can I do to make not do that to handle him?

Shedding: So like I said earlier he is having a bad shed and I tried everything to get the humidity up but that is not working. So what are some tips of how I can make it easier because rumples has been in the same shed for about a week and two days.


Also dealing with behavior whenever he ever he goes into the tub where I soak him he stands straight up and i heard of stargazing and I am worried about that.



Sorry for all the words

How long have you had him? Moving to a new home and enclosure is stressful even without shedding, so they do best with an adjustment period with limited handling. Most recommend that he eat 2-3 times to let him settle in before any handling, especially since he's a little baby.

Is your hydrometer located under a heat lamp? If so, it could give falsely low humidity reading, it's better to have hydrometers throughout the cage to monitor. If you have a hydrometer and it's not under a heat lamp and is showing low humidity readings, try covering the top of the tank (assuming its screened) with cardboard and/or shrink wrap so that its 75% covered. Consider using coconut husk mulch or coconut fiber as a substrate if you don't already. Coconut husk holds moisture much better. Placing the water dish under a heat lamp or over a heat mat can also increase evaporation and consequently the humidity. I'd consider buying a sphagnum moss to put in the tank too as it provides a good hide and holds moisture really well. They sell blocks of it on amazon for really cheap, and a block can go a long way once expanded with water.

Congrats on the new snake and you chose an adorable name. And the fact that hes new and not striking you is a good sign that he'll be easy to handle when older. A lot of babies and juveniles strike when they're in a new environment and being approached, and BPs are known to get grumpy when shedding so Rumples must have a really good temperment!