My ball acting funny.

[Sicluded]

Ok so I bought my first snake two weeks ago, a baby ball, kind of on a whim but am really happy with him, but have had some problems since I got him. When I first brought him home he seemed really happy and active. After a few days he started acting real weird. He is deathly afraid of his live prey, and won't go near it. I have tried alot of stuff and he still wont feed. I know he is probally just adjusting so I am letting him be for a while. He is acting really funny though. He is hiding in his cool side enclosure and only coming out if no one is in the room. Whenever he moves his head around, he seems to be really jerky. When I am holding him, he is pushing his head forcefully into my hand and sliding around. I have read everything and since I just got him don't know much about him. I have no idea when he has shed last so I don't know if that is the case. I can't tell if his eyes are cloudy so i am assuming that they aren't. They are glossy black and reflective. On his stomach though the scales may be getting pink following his head back. Maybe this is just me hoping that this is the problem. Also the description for for a few things is very vague. I have been told to watch for a prominent spine and wrinkles as they are a sign of some health problems, but since I am new to all of this I have no idea what a promient spine is, he does have some wrinkles when he is coiled up. I have some tweaking to do with the enclosure but I know the temps and they way i need to get to them( he is only off by a couple of degrees.. Does anyone know why he is acting the way he is?

[blushingball419]

well it sounds to me like he is still just getting used to his surroundings. He was probably moving around a lot at first because he was exploring his new home and now he has to get used to it. How big is he? And how big is his tank? If he's small that would only add to him being nervous in a new place. but even if he's bigger...everything you were describing sounds like pretty normal behavior.

He might be staying on the cool side because whatever hide you have there makes him feel more secure. The jerky head thing sounds strange but unless he's having trouble moving around or seems like he's going to fall over when he raises his head up then he's probably fine. Pushing his head into your hand is just him trying to hide and find a secure place. And it definitely doesn't sound like he's going to shed if his eyes are glossy and black. Believe me, you'll know when they get milky.

As far as the feeding goes...ball pythons can be so picky and aggravating. When I first got my girl it took me a month and a half to get her to eat. You just have to keep at it each week

Just give him time. Ball pythons are pretty shy creatures and sometimes it seems like they get freaked out by things only they know...they always eventually calm down though

[starmom]

Do you have a camera to take a picture of the snake? It might help!
Also, lots of times some adjustment to the environment is really helpful for the snake. Can you describe your set-up? I'm wondering about things like what you have for a heat source, thermostat, temps on the warm and cool sides, tank or tub or reptile cage, what you're using to measure your temps and humidity, blah blah blah....

Some background like the above is usually really helpful for all of us so that we can give you the best possible help we know how to give

[joepythons]

Ok so I bought my first snake two weeks ago, a baby ball, kind of on a whim but am really happy with him, but have had some problems since I got him. When I first brought him home he seemed really happy and active. After a few days he started acting real weird. He is deathly afraid of his live prey, and won't go near it. I have tried alot of stuff and he still wont feed. I know he is probally just adjusting so I am letting him be for a while. He is acting really funny though. He is hiding in his cool side enclosure and only coming out if no one is in the room. Whenever he moves his head around, he seems to be really jerky. When I am holding him, he is pushing his head forcefully into my hand and sliding around. I have read everything and since I just got him don't know much about him. I have no idea when he has shed last so I don't know if that is the case. I can't tell if his eyes are cloudy so i am assuming that they aren't. They are glossy black and reflective. On his stomach though the scales may be getting pink following his head back. Maybe this is just me hoping that this is the problem. Also the description for for a few things is very vague. I have been told to watch for a prominent spine and wrinkles as they are a sign of some health problems, but since I am new to all of this I have no idea what a promient spine is, he does have some wrinkles when he is coiled up. I have some tweaking to do with the enclosure but I know the temps and they way i need to get to them( he is only off by a couple of degrees.. Does anyone know why he is acting the way he is?

Well look at things the way he is.He is a small snake in a BIG scary world and has no idea where he is.If you leave him alone for a full week and only disturb him to give fresh water he might relax.Welcome to the group also

[Exotic Ectotherms]

I personally like to wait 2 weeks after getting a new bp before offering food. This gives him a chance to get comfortable in a new environment. It isn't necessary to do this, but I think it helps. I don't handle them for the first 2 weeks as well. As stated by others, they are shy creatures.

Are your hides on the cool and warm side identical? Was he feeding on live food before you got him or was he on frozen/thawed?