ball python help please

[johnmoseley606]

I just got a ball python from my sister. It is about 2-3 years old very sweet snake. before I took it from my sister I observed that the snake was chilling on the outside of his enclosed hide home. I took the snake home and applied a head pad on the tank with about an inch of the heat pad under his home. I keep the temperature at a good temp about 77-82 degrees. and my snake is very comfortable with me. I hold him daily and he is very sweet and active when I hold him. When I put him back in his tank I set him on his branches that is under a heat lamp and he always goes right back in his hide home. I can't figure out why he will not hang out outside of his enclosed home. Any idea???

[snakeman879]

Hi bp dont really hang about on branshes it is its natural instinct to hide in holes as in the wilde they spend most ov the day in turmite mounds and ar nocturnal. And most ar very shy aninals . If u wanted somthing to be in branshes u should really think about geting a gtp if u r experienced enough to take care ov one. All the best

[Mikoh4792]

82 degrees is too cold. Bump the hot side to 88-92f.


Bp's "chill" in mounds and burrows so you probably won't see it out Much except for at night. Either that or the ball python needs some time to become comfortable enough in its new home to "chill" outside.

I wouldn't handle it everyday, you could be stressing the snake, which could be another reason for it not coming out of its hide.

[dbassa]

BP's are very secretive snakes. They do a lot of hiding and not a lot of anything else during the day.

On the other hand, I see my corn snake out and about much more often and at seemingly all times during the day and night.