I LOVE my new little guy!

[rjks325]

Yay! So, I've had my BP, Simon, since the 18th. My temps are at 82.4, 92.7; with humidity at 53%. After about a week, I fed him a small f/t mouse w/ hemostats. He ate it w/o any hesitation. But the mouse was kind of small (only about half the size of his girth at his thickest point) so I left a second one in front of his warm hide. It was gone in the morning! He's been in the warm hide going on 4 days now... Is that normal? Also, I'm using indented kraft paper w/ some aspen bedding sprinkled in the hides and around the water bowl. I think I'm going to get rid of the aspen all together because of impaction risks. Any thoughts on that? I can't wait to start handling him! Should I only handle him at night???? I'm taking him to the vet next Tuesday. I'm going to use a 12Qt rubbermaid tub w/ newspaper on the bottom for transport... Is it okay that I don't have any portable heat for the trip? Thanks for your help everybody; I just want to treat this little guy right.

[JLC]

Sounds like things are going great!

Yes, that's totally normal for them to spend days apparently sound asleep in one of their hides. Especially if they've had a big meal.

I wouldn't worry about the aspen. I've never heard of aspen causing impaction in a ball python. They digest fur and bones and cartiledge, so a little speck of wood shaving isn't going to hurt anything. That said...since you're already using paper and are only sprinkling little bits of aspen around...seems like more trouble than its worth to me. I'd stick with just paper. Totally up to you and what you'd like to do.

Some people suggest handling BP's in the evening when they are more inclined to be awake and alert. I think it really doesn't matter though...the more important thing is to have consistent, regular routines.

As for the transport to the vet....I don't know where you live, so I don't know what the weather conditions are like. I would avoid allowing him to get drafty at all, or exposing him to really cool temperatures. Instead of transporting him just in a box with some newspaper on the bottom....I'd put him in a pillowcase (turned inside out) and tied...then put that in the box, and fill around it with wadded newspaper or small towels. That'll help insulate him against the chill, as well as help him feel more secure for the trip. But if it's REALLY cold where you are, I'd find some way to get some supplemental heat in his transport tub.

[rjks325]

Sounds like things are going great!

Yes, that's totally normal for them to spend days apparently sound asleep in one of their hides. Especially if they've had a big meal.

I wouldn't worry about the aspen. I've never heard of aspen causing impaction in a ball python. They digest fur and bones and cartiledge, so a little speck of wood shaving isn't going to hurt anything. That said...since you're already using paper and are only sprinkling little bits of aspen around...seems like more trouble than its worth to me. I'd stick with just paper. Totally up to you and what you'd like to do.

Some people suggest handling BP's in the evening when they are more inclined to be awake and alert. I think it really doesn't matter though...the more important thing is to have consistent, regular routines.

As for the transport to the vet....I don't know where you live, so I don't know what the weather conditions are like. I would avoid allowing him to get drafty at all, or exposing him to really cool temperatures. Instead of transporting him just in a box with some newspaper on the bottom....I'd put him in a pillowcase (turned inside out) and tied...then put that in the box, and fill around it with wadded newspaper or small towels. That'll help insulate him against the chill, as well as help him feel more secure for the trip. But if it's REALLY cold where you are, I'd find some way to get some supplemental heat in his transport tub.

You are always so helpful, Judy. Thank you so much! I didn't even think about the pillowcase/bag thing... I'll use the bag that the Snake Keeper shipped him in & then do the rest of what you said. It's not too cold yet over here, but I can crank the car heater...gets pretty toasty! Thanks again!

[jglass38]

Yay! So, I've had my BP, Simon, since the 18th. My temps are at 82.4, 92.7; with humidity at 53%. After about a week, I fed him a small f/t mouse w/ hemostats. He ate it w/o any hesitation. But the mouse was kind of small (only about half the size of his girth at his thickest point) so I left a second one in front of his warm hide. It was gone in the morning! He's been in the warm hide going on 4 days now... Is that normal? Also, I'm using indented kraft paper w/ some aspen bedding sprinkled in the hides and around the water bowl. I think I'm going to get rid of the aspen all together because of impaction risks. Any thoughts on that? I can't wait to start handling him! Should I only handle him at night???? I'm taking him to the vet next Tuesday. I'm going to use a 12Qt rubbermaid tub w/ newspaper on the bottom for transport... Is it okay that I don't have any portable heat for the trip? Thanks for your help everybody; I just want to treat this little guy right.

Rock on! Sounds like you have done an excellent job researching and getting things right for your snake!

[Kizerk]

after i feed my snakes, they spend a couple of days on the hot side, just digesting their meal

[rjks325]

Rock on! Sounds like you have done an excellent job researching and getting things right for your snake!

Thanks Jamie. I owe a lot to this forum, too!

[rjks325]

after i feed my snakes, they spend a couple of days on the hot side, just digesting their meal

Thank you, Maple. I hoped he was just digesting.

[Ninjapython]

as soon as 2 days after he fed get some freaking touchie feelie action!!!!! lol

[rjks325]

as soon as 2 days after he fed get some freaking touchie feelie action!!!!! lol

That's what I'm talking about! Glad we see eye to eye! lol

[frankykeno]

Sounds like everything is going beautifully! Lucky snake to have an owner who is so obviously concerned for it's welfare.

Couple of notes on handling. Remember always that it's something you want but the snake really doesn't need so for me, handling is like a gift the snake allows me and I try not to abuse that gift by overdoing it. Try to establish routines and habits that when done over and over and over again will help to imprint on a snake's basic brain and allow it to be lessed stressed by your interactions. Simple things like stroking it's body to let it know a lift is coming is one we use. When we do cage maintenance or it's feeding day we don't do this action and the snakes have learned to know the difference in our actions.

If your snake is young it will be more apt to be nervous about handling. Young snakes get preyed on in the wild and it can't understand you are a nice human, not just some big mammal bent on snarfing it down. Gentle, firm handling with lots of routines helps that somewhat...everything is about being slow, easy and calm. I really feel that calm handlers help make calm snakes as I think they probably pick up a lot of our nervousness and react to it.

Remember that no matter what you do, there will be days or just moments when the snake doesn't want to be bothered and will act defensively. That's totally normal and nothing to worry over. It's just a snake being a snake. As you get to know your own particular snake you'll pick up it's cues...both subtle and not so subtle.