Over Active Ball

[jawnny]

Hey guys thanks in advance for your time and responses.

I have had my ball for over a year now. Lately he has been really active at night and he used to not do this. First and only ball of mine. Some info to help out if anyone knows whats up.



Temps: Hot|88-90 using a 75 watt red heat bulb and under tank heat pad. Its controlled with a zoomed plug that turns it on and off when temp gets too hot/cold. Two thermometers to make sure temps are accurate. Cold|76-80 using 1 thermometer.

Humidity: 65-70 with a fogger in fountain to help maintain a constant level also controlled by zoomed plug.

Diet: 2 frozen/thawed adult mice every Sunday. Never refuses food.

Substrate: Reptibark.

He/She has two identical hides on each end that are the perfect size. Clean water and substrate at all times. And a day lamp that auto turns on and off at 6&6 each day.

He never used to do this so it has me all worried, he seems to want to get out. If I open the glass and put my arm out he goes right on it and chills around my neck. I find this odd too as from my readings balls don't usually like to be handled all the time.

Thanks again for any responses as to whats up. Attached a pic of his tank & one of my kitten trying to climb up and get to him :freakedout:

[Mikoh4792]

I'm just guessing but maybe he wants to find a hotter spot when the thermostat turns the heat off after reaching the desired temp. Or maybe he just wants to find a hotter basking spot(+ 90f). Or maybe you just got yourself an active ball python.

[marvelfreak]

25606

Nice to have you join us. If your snake really active at night it's most likely hunting. Which means it's time to up it's food size. i would try some rat fuzzies. Once he's taking rats then move him up to small rats.

[jawnny]

Thanks for the responses. I may just have an over active ball, but I just found it weird that for a whole year he would just sleep. It was just within the last week that he became extra active so it had me worried.

Thanks Marvel, I have been putting off upping his food size as I didn't want to deal with rats lol. I'll give it a shot though this Friday.

Do they become sexually mature after a year? Could he/she be looking for a mate?

[marvelfreak]

Thanks for the responses. I may just have an over active ball, but I just found it weird that for a whole year he would just sleep. It was just within the last week that he became extra active so it had me worried.

Thanks Marvel, I have been putting off upping his food size as I didn't want to deal with rats lol. I'll give it a shot though this Friday.

Do they become sexually mature after a year? Could he/she be looking for a mate?
I believe for Balls it's around two years of age for males and three for females.

[rocknhorse76]

One appropriately sized prey item is much easier to deal with than multiple smaller items. Just try and switch him over to rats. You may need to scent the rats with a mouse at first to trick him into taking rats, but once he finally does, you'll be in the clear. Much better feeding practices in the long run...

[drumcrush]

Ik my dads bp gets pretty active when he is hungry.

[jawnny]

One appropriately sized prey item is much easier to deal with than multiple smaller items. Just try and switch him over to rats. You may need to scent the rats with a mouse at first to trick him into taking rats, but once he finally does, you'll be in the clear. Much better feeding practices in the long run...

Yeah you are right. Never had issues feeding at all. Takes one adult mouse, and immediately goes onto the next. I just really hate the idea of dealing with rats, but I'll eventually have to. I'll give it a shot this Sunday and see if it helps.

Thanks again everyone for the helpful responses.!

[Mikoh4792]

Yeah you are right. Never had issues feeding at all. Takes one adult mouse, and immediately goes onto the next. I just really hate the idea of dealing with rats, but I'll eventually have to. I'll give it a shot this Sunday and see if it helps.

Thanks again everyone for the helpful responses.!

why do you hate dealing with rats? They're like overgrown mice.

[warehouse13fan]

that second pic is freaking creepy lol

[Aaron_S]

Yeah you are right. Never had issues feeding at all. Takes one adult mouse, and immediately goes onto the next. I just really hate the idea of dealing with rats, but I'll eventually have to. I'll give it a shot this Sunday and see if it helps.

Thanks again everyone for the helpful responses.!

Eventually? You're literally a year behind in getting to it. All my baby balls are eating rats by their 3rd meal. If you plan to stick to mice, feed more.

Balls are also nocturnal snakes. If they come out, it will be done at night.

Your hot temp is a little low. Get it up another 5 degrees throughout the enclosure.