RCReptiles.com

[tigasnake]

Hi, all. I am new to the community and new to actually owning a ball python.

I recently purchased a 4 month old ball, and have it in a 40 gallon enclosure. The tank has desert snow substrate, made by T-Rex Products, and a store bought "rock water dish". Its hide is a common 1/2 log from a pet store and a log that ascends above the hide. I use a PetMeds Red night light and a fluorescent and day-light. Basking side is 95-97 for the past 4 days (during the day) and the cool side (with the water bowl) is a steady 78 degrees. At night, basking side is 82-83. Cool side is 74-76.

Now I acquired the snake less than 4 days ago and it has been exploring its cage. It is a beautiful captive born normal ball.

What would I be doing wrong?

I began handling it hours after it was placed in the cage for the first time... from what I've read here, that's mistake #1. Mistake #2.. for the past 3 days (before I smacked my self around in stupidity) I kept the fluorescent bulb on during night, and wondered why the ball showed meager activity. Now I have just the under-tank heat pad running and the red night light. Mistake #3 (the best one ) was when I attempted to feed it a F/T mouse today in a big cardboard box (as an alternate feeding area) and wondered why it smelled then ignored the food.

Am I going too fast? Do you think I'm too used to Iguanas and their quick adaptive nature? I researched ball pythons a lot, and a video I like a lot is the reptilestv.com care episode. I just seem to keep rushing to things.

From this point, what should I do to help the snake ease stress? The reptilestv.com herpetologist mentioned that handling the snake (even after it was just moved to a new cage) keeps it tame and used to your presence, so I hope to avoid "leaving it alone" for like a week.

[Number 2]

I think you have it right by realizing not to hold her.

I wait around a week to try feeding mine. After they feed, I wait about 3 days or so to handle them.

It sounds like you have been doing your research though. Just be patient. There is a ton of reading to do in the meantime.

Read Ron's Blog (found above in the links section). You will find a ton of info there.

What is the humidity at in its viv?

Also, add a second hide so there is one on each end.

[PlayBall]

Yes, you're moving too fast. Leave it alone for a good whole week or two, but before doing this, make sure its whole tank setup is perfect (hides, temps and humidity) I've never used the desert snow substrate before so I don't know if it's good or not. Don't try to feed it or handle it until after one week+. What are you using to measure the temps? Can you post pics of the current setup? I know how much you want to handle and play with your new pet but it needs to get settle in its new home first. I recently got two new bps and I too can't wait to handle them but it is for their best

[tigasnake]

I put the humidity meter in the middle of the tank. I'm also thinking of changing the floor to Cypress Mulch and adding some flora. When I was shopping, the associate literally argued with me that the snake is a desert animal and that I MUST choose desert snow to keep it happy. The humidity is 40% during the daytime and 60% at night time. I'm curious as to why it goes up after the heat from above turn off.

I'll post pictures tomorrow morning, since I have nothing better to do after getting ready for work...

So Number 2, you said that I have to avoid handling for about a week. That won't make the snake go back to thinking I'm a stranger the next time it's handled?

[tigasnake]

Thanks for the response also, Playball. Yeh, I plan to add another hide. Once you see the setup (which is a bit plain to me) you'll see that there's plenty of room to place it near the water dish.

Also, the devices used to measure the temps are Zilla Thermometers ( on each side) and a Humidifier (at the middle).

[Number 2]

[RonCrawford]

[Number 2]

My pet store guy also argued the humidity with me, basically the same scenario as Tiga. He insisted that they live in dry grass lands or something like that.

Luckily I found RC!!! (And I'm not just trying to suck up ) I now have happy snakes!

[pdig69]

[cupcake]

Is daytime temps on the warm side of 95 -97 degrees fahrenheit not too high? I have mine at 90 - 92 degrees fahrenheit during the day on the warm side. Cool side daytime temps 80 - 85 degrees fahrenheit with a 5 degree drop at night.

[Buck_99]

What pdig69 said about the hides is critical. 40 gallon tank for a 4-month old snake is huge, poor snake is going to feel overwhelmed. Give him something nice and tight to hide in. Several somethings, actually, as folks have been saying, at both ends. And give him some cover so he can make it from one hide to the next without feeling exposed.

[tigasnake]

Sorry guys. Haven't had time to add pics. Work was murder.

One more question. I know Cypress Mulch has been suggested a lot. What about Eco-Earth Coconut Bedding? Has anyone tried that at all?

[arlynos]

I've seen people who have used it, unless you are willing to clean up a big mess everytime you change it you dont want to go with it, that it take a while to set up with the absorbing of water into it to expand it. Though it is a good natural substrate, I choose ot use reptibark its a very good substrate and easy to spot clean, and you can reuse it if you clean it properly.

[pdig69]

[arlynos]