Weird Ball Behavior

[rattie]

My new ball python is very social. 2months old, I've had him for 1 week. He actually enjoys being handled. He also likes hanging out in the trees instead of being on the ground. This is weird ball python behavior...isn't it? I checked temps, substrate, and enclosure..all are exactly what is ordered for a ball. What could the reason be? I'm not worried, just curious.

[jay_scir]

how do you know if he enjoys being handled?

[Vengeance]

What were the temps?

Only reason I have ever seen one of my ball pythons hang out in the trees instead of in his hide, when I had that kind of setup, was when my temps were incorrect.

[snakehunter]

Originally posted by Vengeance
What were the temps?

Only reason I have ever seen one of my ball pythons hang out in the trees instead of in his hide, when I had that kind of setup, was when my temps were incorrect.

DITO

[rattie]

I have an under tank heating pad. 20 gallon tank. 82 cool side/92 warm side. I have three hides 2 on opposite ends of the tank and one in the middle. There is a big water dish. Fake plants suctioned to the side at the top. He goes in his hides also, but spends a better part of his time in the plants.

Maybe he doesn't like being handled. I only assume he does because when I open his tank I don't chase- I wait patiently...he comes right to my hand and secures himself to it gently!

[smeagel]

put your warm side up to 95, make sure your humidity is around 60%.

[rattie]

Humidity is 63%....I can try to raise the warm side to 95, but there is a hide right over the heating pad and I think he would use it more often if he wanted to be warmer. He spends most of his time on the cooler side of the tank and in the plants.

[smeagel]

He might not feel secure enough an the plants are the only place he feels secure. Even if your ball was cold he will pick being secure over being warm. What do you have for hides and how big are the hides.

[snakehunter]

yeah a bigger hide is not a place to be for balls, the tighter the fit the better. all of my hides endup sitting ontop of the snake when they are in it. If I try to go any bigger, no one eats, and you cant shake a finger at an eating ball!!!!!!

[rattie]

I have one small hide, a little half log, another small hide made from rock, and the third is a small space between driftwood and substrate. He just fits in the half log. The rock hide has a larger opening, but not much more room to wiggle around. I don't know how else to describe them.

He does use these occasionally, maybe 1/3 of the time. I'd say the other 2/3 he is in the plants. Actually, for the last couple of hours today, he has been on the warm side of his tank not using any of his hides.

I just know if he is comfortable, he will be more likely to eat. I have made one unsuccessful attempt. I will try again in a couple days.

[Artemis]

What are you using to measure your temperatures, if I may ask? Also, I can tell you that my ball started out this way also, but I think he was just busy learning his surroundings, getting used to his new place. When I first got my bp, after a couple of weeks of exploring, mine chilled out a lot and exhibited more "normal" bp behavior. Leaving him alone completely, even if he exhibits active behavior in the enclosure, for at least a week (No handling!! Resist!!!) is the best method to get him to eat. And with your temps, make sure your method of measuring them is as good as your method of providing them! Digital thermometer with a probe is best, can get em at walmart, garden departments of home improvement stores, etc! Congrats on your new snake!

Artemis

[rattie]

Thanks Artemis. I do have a digital with probe. I didn't know that he will be more likely to eat if I don't handle him. Why exactly will it work? Thanks for the tip.

[nita]

handling can stress them out. Depending on the snake anyway. Some of mine are fine eat no prob regardless. I took 3 of mine home from the reptile show and 2 ate right away even after being handled for 2 days straight the other one took 2 weeks to resettle before starting eating.