Hide or no Hide (or no brainer?)

[blackcrystal22]

Honestly, I think I've been scolded enough after 18 replies.

I asked many friends and also a fellow reptile owner who is keeping three bearded dragons about the snake before I bought him. I went to the reptile store (not a huge megamart like petco) and asked the owner about the snakes and what he felt would be good. I bought two books, Reptiles and Amphibians for dummies, which was the only book at borders that looked even partially worthwhile with a section on pythons. I also bought the Ball Python Manual by Philippe de Vosjoli.
I found this site and while I found some of the posters to be rude or immature, I read some of the information, though I don't know how I missed the caresheets. I dislike vBulletin sites, but that's besides the point.

I waited half a month for a paycheck to come in to make sure that I could cover the expense and I read wikipedia and other information sources. Now maybe I"m just dense, but now, after owning this snake for over a month, I can finally recognize what i Really needed to know. The things that weren't obvious during my investigation and preparation.

I'm upset by what I feel is a broad assumption that I don't care or love my BP and that I should give him away. I'm trying my best and that's why I've spent time asking for help on these forums. I get anxious about every little detail and I still, after re-readign the BP manual 4 times (It's mostly about husbandry anyway. It rather sucks, IMO) I still have almost no confidence that I'm doing the right thing. Until yesterday I felt resigned to trial and error.

So make no mistake that I appreciate all the advice I've received, as well as how fast I was answered, even in the middle of the night.

But please, it is my first time owning a herp. I've made a lot of mistakes I admit, but even as hurt and ashamed as I feel reading this thread, it wouldn't add up to a fraction of how hurt I would be if my poor BP died. I love him.

At least I got the feeding schedule right. He eats every 7-8 days, though I'll stop trying to feed him the day after the first attempt. I usually try three times with 15-30 mins inbetween each attempt, then I dump the mouse for the day and wait for the next day. Last three successes he ate the second day, or the 8th day.

He doesn't defecate often, is this a sign of constipation or diet problems? I'm feeding him fuzzies right now. Next bag of ten mice will probably be five fuzzies and five hoppers.

We really are not trying to attack you. We just want to make sure you get everything setup right. If was sounding like it, I was probably in a bad mood and I apologize. I've been sick today. All herpers start out new and you did come off sounding a bit carefree about your animal, which we understand now is not true. We'll try to be more positive now.
Fuzzy mice sound a bit small, so try to feed two at a time if he's eating frozen. (Just put one at the end of the other one as it's going down, and he should keep eating it).
I'm really glad you came to us and asked questions. Now we can help make your setup perfect and know that your snake is thriving under your care!

Dr Del basically nailed it. Follow that and you should be set! :]

ummm who are these 5 people that voted that they have NO HIDE? lol

Probably people using large rack systems. Where the snake may never need a hide because it's already in a warm dark place.