Is this possible..

[xKxLxHx]

Okay, a little backstory. I just got my new Ball Python on Sunday evening from the Petsmart I work at, set up the tank that night, and left it alone. Following the feeding pattern, I decided to feed it yesterday, and it wouldn't eat. So, I tried again today, all it wanted to do was play around on me, and when I put it back in the cage, it went in the hide, and didnt even bother with it. My hot spot is around 92 at all times, and the cold spot is nearing 80 at all times, but my question is:

Could it be possible that it's shedding, 2 weeks after it's already done so? The schedule they gave me said it was shedding on Tuesday January 13, 2009. I looked closely and I noticed that it's belly is a dull pink, and immediately got scared that it might have been burned, so I put more bedding on the hotspot over my UTH. Could it be shedding already, AND could it not be eating because of it? (Just a side note, I know you may say that I should give it time to adapt to me, but when I pick it up, it's very friendly, NEVER makes the 'S' with it's head and just can't stop moving up my hands and arms, and does the same thing in it's cage.)





Sorry if this is a stupid post, I'm just kind of worried, and sorry if these stretch the page.

Oh, and why are some of the snakes scales rough, on it's belly/side?

[stevenkeogh]

The scales tend to stick out a bit more when they are getting closer to shed.
The snake does not enjoy being held and it should be given time to adjust.
Leave it alone for a good week and then try to feed again.
But leave it alone.
The pink is nothing to be concerned with as far as I can see. All mine change varying shades of red when going into shed.
-Steven

[MiniJ83]

Leave it alone a couple weeks. Let it acclimate. It doesn't matter if it doesnt try to strike at you, and "just wants to crawl around on you." It still needs time to get used to its environment.

How are you measuring temps? Are you using a thermometer with a probe, or a stick on?

[xKxLxHx]

Leave it alone a couple weeks. Let it acclimate. It doesn't matter if it doesnt try to strike at you, and "just wants to crawl around on you." It still needs time to get used to its environment.

How are you measuring temps? Are you using a thermometer with a probe, or a stick on?

I've got a therm over both the hot and cold area, plus one in the bedding of the hot and cold. out of reach from the snake, but not laying directly on the glass, for more accurate measures.

I just figured it was used to it by now, since it ate the same day it arrived at Petsmart, also a new environment. But does this mean its getting ready to shed?

Sorry for the noobish questions, guys.

[Beardedragon]

How many bps were in the tank with her at petsmart? Im asking because when they say the last time she shed, they might mean the last time they found shed in the tank.


BPs after shed when they are relocated.

[xKxLxHx]

How many bps were in the tank with her at petsmart? Im asking because when they say the last time she shed, they might mean the last time they found shed in the tank.


BPs after shed when they are relocated.

Just one other. I might go check the sheet to see if they recorded a shed on the other one too, and maybe got mixed up. They had the feeding sheets labeld as: Ball Python (Lighter) and Ball Python (Darker), but in the back room, at 6 a.m., they could have gotten mixed up.

[tweets_4611]

Even if you think it is used to you and comfortable, you still need to leave it for a week or so without messing with him too much. It won't hurt for him to go a week without eating.

When a ball is comfortable it will just chill out, lay there and maybe casually look around, but the slithering all over is a sign of trying to find a hiding place. Since he went right back into his hide when you put him back it does sound like he was wanting to get in a small dark place.

As a side note, if your hot spot gets too hot, putting more bedding over doesn't ensure that your snake won't get burnt. Many balls like to rearange the place and will shift the bedding around and end up laying on the glass. It would be best to have a thermometer probe directly on the glass right above the UTH. Get that temp to where it should be and the snake won't be in any danger of being burned then.

[starmom]

In addition to putting the probe on the glass for an accurate reading of temps, are you using a thermostat to control the heat source?

An active ball python, especially during the day times, and especially when they are new, means that the ball python is still adjusting to the new environment and is feeling stressed. As has been mentioned, leave the snake alone for a week or so and attempt to feed. If the snake refuses, leave the snake alone for another week and try again

[xKxLxHx]

Even if you think it is used to you and comfortable, you still need to leave it for a week or so without messing with him too much. It won't hurt for him to go a week without eating.

When a ball is comfortable it will just chill out, lay there and maybe casually look around, but the slithering all over is a sign of trying to find a hiding place. Since he went right back into his hide when you put him back it does sound like he was wanting to get in a small dark place.

As a side note, if your hot spot gets too hot, putting more bedding over doesn't ensure that your snake won't get burnt. Many balls like to rearange the place and will shift the bedding around and end up laying on the glass. It would be best to have a thermometer probe directly on the glass right above the UTH. Get that temp to where it should be and the snake won't be in any danger of being burned then.

Yeah, as a temporary measure I stuck the one sticky therm on the glass. I had just piled up more bedding to ensure that it wasn't being burnt.

In addition to putting the probe on the glass for an accurate reading of temps, are you using a thermostat to control the heat source?

An active ball python, especially during the day times, and especially when they are new, means that the ball python is still adjusting to the new environment and is feeling stressed. As has been mentioned, leave the snake alone for a week or so and attempt to feed. If the snake refuses, leave the snake alone for another week and try again

The UTH I bought was in the "Snake Starter Kit" from Petsmart, the one girl I work with said it was perfect for BP's so I believed her. Turns out, it doesn't have means to change the temperature, but it's good that it stays consistent to the 90ish BP's are meant to be in. As for regulating, if I notice a slight jump in temperatures I'll adjust the position of my lights so it's not too warm, but it generally all stays the same.

I can deal with leaving it alone for a while, just a relief to know it wasn't being burned.

[llovelace]

Those stick on thermoeters are not accurate, go to wallyworld or homedepot and pick up an accurite thermometer/hygrometer for $12.00, ok forget wallyworld at home depot you can get the accurite in the garden section, then waltz on over to electrical and pick up either a lutron lamp dimmer for $10.95 or a levitron lamp dimmer for $8.95 (I have both they work the same). These items will sufice until you can upgrade to a herpstat etc.
oh and if you can while there pick up a infrared temp gun a must have