how to un stress a BP

[playBALL]

OK so my new BP is trying desperately to escape .I have had him for a month now and he has eaten twice but not lately. I have been handling him 2 x a week for like 10 minutes at a time. I did just put some newspaper on top his aspen so he wouldnt injest while feeding .other than that what do you do so hes not so stressed. his temp is 85 hot side 80 cool side ..

[moespeaking]

an active ball python is not always mean that he is stressed. If hes only been in that set up for a month hes still getting used to it. Ive had my girl for a year and half and she still almost every night tries to get out. she hasnt missed a feeding since may so i know shes not stressed.

[Dusty]

first off it is a snake and snakes will be snakes and try to get out
you may want to try and adjust your temps a bit get your warm side up a little more.

as far as the not eating thing, dont let it stress you.
i have one that dosent eat for months at a time on me, at first it would drive me up a wall cause he wouldnt eat.

after a few trips to the vet with the "are you sure this is normal" question being asked and studying up more about them i have sence learned they will eat when they are hungry or ready.

it may be the fact your little one is fixing to shed, some will refuse to eat durring this time, while others it wont matter.

as your snake grows and you learn more about its habbits and personality you will be more at ease over some of these things.

but if it would make you feel better, please seak the advise of a reptile vet near you just to help ease your mind.

read up on your new friend, you will have her for years to come with the right husbandry and loving care

there is a LOT of good information on this site and lots of friendly people willing to help with any questions you may have.

[Blue Apple Herps]

Mine get active when they're ready to eat. You said he hasn't eaten lately, is this because you haven't tried feeding or he's refused?

[dr del]

Hi,

Those temps are a bit low but how and where are you measuring them?

But back to your actual question ;

Tight secure dark hides,
No handling,
Covering the tank front so he doesn't see any disturbing movement,
Balls of scrunched up newspaper placed in the tank to provide extra cover.

All of those are ideas you can try but remember every change you make to his environment can stress out a nervous snake - like putting down the newspaper on top of the aspen.

There are many other ideas and tricks on the board as well.


dr del

[Kagez28]

you can try and get her one of those squishy stress balls...

they never work for me, i end up whipping them across the room

[GirDance]

you can try and get her one of those squishy stress balls...

they never work for me, i end up whipping them across the room

I always find if you whip them across the room and then happen to accidentally nail someone in the head that they do actually work... Doesn't even hurt them that much cause you usually get a retaliation shot. They work cause you crack up laughing and try to hide... I do it at work all the time, and since I'm the only one who has a squishy ball with a different company's name on it, they all know who threw it... lol

If he/she's stressed, as advised in your other thread try getting two identical smaller hides... A lot of people use the plant tray saucer things and just cut entry holes in them... You can find pics all over the forum.

[playBALL]

thanks so much for the advise ill try the newspaper thing..I fed him sunday night and I think it was hunger cuz he went at the mouse right away he likes it slightly wet and real warm..ill keep trying that and hopefully we are on our way to a wonderful relationship...

[Reediculous]

hides.....dark......no vibrations.........handle only when cleaning, or once a week.......i guess you just kinda know what snakes tolerate handling..i have one that i kno will be ok but i have one that seems to really hate be touched!