King Julian won't sit still

[AndrewGeibel]

I know it's not normal for BP's to continuously move around their cage. But tonight, he has been moving around constantly. Is he ok? Looking for food? He has climbed up toward the top of the cage a lot and climbed over his branches. It just seems weird that he keeps moving. Normally he is in one of his hides all day.

[Dreamer]

I'm not too sure but... I think he's ok. Maybe restless or looking for food. Perhaps just exploring. Mine used to move around all the time.

[rabernet]

At the time of your post, it was the middle of the night - and ball pythons are nocturnal. If your snake continues to exhibit this behavior into the day, then you most likely have a stressed out snake, who is checking for weaknesses in the enclosure for means of escape.


If you are concerned that he's not settling nicely, then loosely balled up newspaper filling the enclosure has helped to settle some of my kiddos and countless others on this site. It provides additional cover and feeling of security, since ball pythons prefer small, tight spaces. Oftentimes the aquariums are a bit overwhelming for them.

[AndrewGeibel]

He is still sort of moving around although not as much. I don't know why he would be stressed out though. Nothing has changed about the way his enclosure is set up or anything. It almost seems that he is trying to get up off the floor. Could it be too warm? He was ok with the temperature for the previous two weeks and I didn't change anything.

[rabernet]

How are you measuring your temps (digital or dial)? How large is your enclosure? Better yet, do you have pictures of your enclosure?

[AndrewGeibel]

I'll get some pictures up tonight. I don't have my camera with me. I have one of those digital thermometers that can measure in two places. Right now it's 83 on one side and 90 on the other. I was kinda worried that it was too warm because the heating pad has to up kinda high for the air temperature to be warm because the air temp in the room is cold. I haven't changed anything in the air temperature for about 2 weeks though and he seemed perfectly fine with it. Could he just be looking for food? I fed him Saturday, but it was a fuzzy mouse ... could he already be hungry again?

[rabernet]

How big is he? I wouldn't feed him again until the next scheduled feeding day, but a fuzzy mouse is probably too small. Most hatchlings have a hopper mouse as their first meal. Perhaps a small adult mouse would be more appropriate.

It could also be that he doesn't feel secure (if the enclosure is too large, or hides not snug and tight). Pictures would help us to make some observations that could help you out!

[AndrewGeibel]

Ok thanks. I'll post some pics tonight when I get my camera. I'll consider feeding him a larger mouse next time. I don't know the exact hatch date but he is fairly young. Still about 18 inches long. But for a snake of this age how often should I feed him? I have only fed him 4 times but its been about every 6 days or so.

[rabernet]

Some feed young ones as often as every 5 days, but I've always fed mine every 7 days. When I got my first ball python, I was always concerned when I went up in prey size, but a hopper or small mouse is really more appropriately sized for a young ball python.


Maybe you can take some pictures of him as well?

[AndrewGeibel]

ok here are a few pictures

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/...9/IMG_0029.jpg

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/...9/IMG_0011.jpg

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/...9/IMG_0008.jpg

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/...9/IMG_0002.jpg