couple questions

[Estowe]

hi everyone, im somewhat new to the site and i just got my first ball python 3 days ago. I just have a couple questions about their behavior and caging.

i noticed that the first day i had him he was very active. after that he hasnt left his hide spot in the past two days from what i've seen. is that normal?

how often should i clean the cage and replace bedding?



also i wanted to take my bp to a vet. to get sexed and checked out for any health problems. Even though it seems very healthy by the way he constantly flicks his tongue and was very curious. his vents also looked clean and their werent any scars or bumps along his body. i was wondering if its okay to take it to any vet or should i call somewhere that specializes in reptiles?

[Freakie_frog]

I noticed that the first day i had him he was very active. after that he hasnt left his hide spot in the past two days from what i've seen. is that normal?

Very much normal Balls love to hide its "their thing"

how often should i clean the cage and replace bedding?

Depending on the bedding. something like eco earth or aspen should be spot clean every day and replaced once every week or two depending on how soiled it gets.

If your using paper then every week without fail and spot cleaned every day.

also i wanted to take my bp to a vet. to get sexed and checked out for any health problems. Even though it seems very healthy by the way he constantly flicks his tongue and was very curious. his vents also looked clean and their weren't any scars or bumps along his body. i was wondering if its okay to take it to any vet or should i call somewhere that specializes in reptiles?

sounds over all like a happy healthy Ball Python. you can take it to a vet just make sure they deal with exotics.

Welcome to the site and best of luck with your new buddy.

[Estowe]

yea, im using repti-bark for the bedding.


thanks for the help!

[kc261]

Sounds like you are off to a good start. Your BP staying in his hide is a normal and good thing. If they are very active, especially during the day, it usually means they are stressed. They will also get more active when they are hungry, but they is mostly at night.

I definitely recommend going to a REPTILE vet. Some vets may call themselves "exotic vets" but they may be experts in small mammals and birds but not reptiles. And with some of the scary things I've seen posted that were supposedly said by vets... go with a reptile vet.

I read your other thread and you were having trouble with temps & humidity. Is that all stabilized now?

[Estowe]

thanks for the reply, coming to this site i was amazed at how much everyone wanted to help. if it was only like that everywhere! lol.

anyways, i will definetly look into a reptile vet. hopefully i have one near me.

about the humidity and temps....

i turned off the UTH because i was told how unsafe it was to have on without a thermostat. I already knew this somewhat but i kept it on because i had a terrarium liner and 2 inches of bedding so i didnt think it would be hot enough to burn him through all of that.
but im new to everything so i took the advice and turned it off.

the lowest the humidity had gotten down to was 26% for a couple minutes. i misted the cage and put some damp wash clothes on it. it ranges from 30-40% now. i mist it about 3 times a day still. ALSO, i was told to put a damp towel instead of a wash cloth on it but i was afraid if i did so, since i have one light on each end of the tank that my heat lights wouldnt be as effective going through the towel and i would have temp. problems. i would fold the towel and put it where the wash clothes are now but i was told to make sure at least 2/3 of the cage was covered.

i'm not sure what to do for now, but i think im going to buy some of that sphagnum moss to put in his hides when i go to buy the thermostat and also get a different type of bedding becuase my friend told me that the repti-bark i had dries out fast and to get a different kind.

thanks for all the help,

Ethan