1st timer

[micbrown]

Hello, I recently (1/16/09) purchased my BP from PetSmart. I dont know if it is a he or she. But, I call it a he. Anyway, he seems very social with me..doesnt ever hiss or strike or even curl up in a ball. Yes, I think I handled him a bit much for the first week (about an hour a day). I also found out that I had him in too large of tank (40 ga) w/out enough hides. However, his humidity & temps have been correct most of the time (Humidity levels 50-60%, 80 F in the day w/ basking @90F). I have been letting the ambient temp drop at night..no lower than 75F. But he still has his UTH on all the time. As of 2/2/09 I have reconfigured his cage. He has identical hides on both sides (cool/warm sides) plus several other along the way. I have clutters up the cage with numerous hides, fake foliage, rocks so that he feels more secure. I have even blacked out the back & sides of the glass tank. I was using only astro-turf substrate but as of 2/2/09 I added a 1/2" thick layer of Aspen as that is what he was in at PetSmart. He seemd to not really like the plain astro-turf. It seems he would try to stay off of it..maybe just in my head. Well, he still has not eaten. His last meal was 1/9/09 according to PS feeding chart. Should I be concerned? my plan is to leave him alone for the next week. Let him get acclimated to his new set-up then try to feed again. I am feeding frozen fuzzies. He is about 18" long & I think about 4-5 months old.
How often should I attemp to feed him?
Should I feed in seperate container?
Any feeding tips would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks in advance...

[casperca]

If you haven't already, I would recomend blocking off a portion of the tank (40g is HUGE for a juvi) or moving him to a 10g. Stop handling him unless absolutely nessicary until he is on a steady feeding schedule. Offer food once a week, if he doesn't eat, wait a full week before offering it again. You can also try live, it sounds like you could upgrade to small mice from fuzzies. An appropriate sized meal is as large around as the girth of your snake at his widest part. I would not be concerned yet. All that handling has probably done a number on his stress level. "social" behavior as described by new keepers is generally the behavior of a very stressed animal. Just give him some time to settle in and block off part of the tank and you should see improvement.

[micbrown]

Thank you so much for your advise..Will do. Do you think I should feed in a seperate container or in his cage?
Thanks again!

[nova2door]

try a live hopper mouse, if you can try to get a brown or black one
i feed all my snakes in there cages

[hoax]

Feed in the cage there is no reason not to. With the aspen substrate I would watch for him ingesting any large pieces or large amounts but other then that you should be good to go. You said that he is in a smaller tank now, right? if not then something no larger then a 20G Long should do you good. Before spending a lot on enclosures I would look at all your options, I have switched to racks and love it. With just the one a tub would do you fine.

Also what are you using to regulate your temperature?

What are you using to measure temperatures and humidity?

I would try feeding live if he starts to lose weight. Get a good scale (food or postage) and keep track of his weight.

Do not handle him until you have a good couple of weeks of feeding.

Triple check all your husbandry, and just be patient he will come around.

Also if I am not mistaken Petsmart does not sell females so he is a he.

Care Sheet read 3X
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

hope this helps a little. I am still kinda new to the hobby so if you have any questions I will help if I can, if not there are some great people on here that know a whole lot more than me.

Mike

[micbrown]

Hello,
He is on 40ga. However, I have divided it down to about 1/2 that size. I am using three temperature gauges (analog)..one on hot side, one in middle, & one on opposite side. I will eventually get a better system as the funds allow...Wow new st-up is expensive. I am using humidity gauge (purchased at Ace Hardware / Analog). I am heating with 1 small under the cage heater pad on hot side coupled with heat lamp on dimmer. The temps are actually staying pretty much stable. I am still struggling a bit with the humidity..probably becasue of the heat lamps.
Thanks for the help..All the info I can get helps!

[disabled.101]

Go out and buy an Acu-Rite. They are 15 dollars measure temp on hot and cold and measure humidity.
Are you covering the screen top to keep humidity in? Is the UTH on a dimmer as well because they get very hot and can burn your snake.
For humidity buy some Sphagnum moss it really helps

[Kaorte]

Also if I am not mistaken Petsmart does not sell females so he is a he.

Mike

When I got mine they said they didn't know the gender. All my attempts at popping have given me the idea that my girl is in fact, a girl. Although I could be wrong. I have just never heard that before.

[nybp]

Also if I am not mistaken Petsmart does not sell females so he is a he.

how would you know that??? NOT ATTACKING, i think that is an amazing fact...makes sense, they dont want people going home with one, and waking up to a clutch= lost revenue + pissed off parents

[Kaorte]

how would you know that??? NOT ATTACKING, i think that is an amazing fact...makes sense, they dont want people going home with one, and waking up to a clutch= lost revenue + pissed off parents

Well that is kind of impossible. They only sell juvie snakes which are less than 100grams. There is no way a female of that age/size could produce a clutch. But Petsmart probably has no idea about this and could just assume they are like rats :/