Humidity and Hissing

Wanka2012 · 09-28-12, 02:13 PM

I'm a first time pet snake owner. I got my Ball Python about 3 days ago and his name is Wanka! She's about 3 months old and is eating what I believe is called "Pinkies" (infant mice). I realize now I didn't get enough information from the Pet Store I bought her from, I guess they just didn't know. I'm glad there is a forum to find information and I want to do everything possible for my snake to live happy and comfortable. I have a 10 gallon tank, a heat lamp, a hide, a "fake plant" for shade, and a large water rock/bowl.

Here's my issue, the pet store could NOT tell me when the last time she ate was (Nor the sex, they said he/she was too young), but could tell me that she was eating regularly and had no issues. I fed her the first night and she didn't wait around, eating fairly quickly. I held her the second day with no issues. The third day is today and she was curled up asleep, I must have startled her or she must have been in a bad mood because she started hissing. I'm assuming this is common, but I don't want my snake to hate me! Maybe someone can tell me if I'm doing some wrong. I don't believe she is in shed, because she isn't showing any signs. (again the pet store couldn't tell me the last shed!!! ridiculous, but I really wanted her so I took my chances)

Last- I have no idea what to do about humidity or what the range should be. I saw them using a spray bottle, spraying the inside of the snake, on a snake that was in shed... Is that common? Any advice would be help.
Thanks!

ballpython1717 · 09-28-12, 07:09 PM

for your humidity issue, i had the same thing. it should be around 70-80% (closer to 80 when your snake is shedding) and if you have a problem keeping it up cover the lid of your enclosure with a damp towel and spray down the inside about twice a day

Kingsnakechris · 09-28-12, 07:16 PM

Give it more than a few days to settle in before handling, good that its eating tho, and the damp towel over a portion of the lid will def. Help the humidity. Your going to need a bigger tank than a 10 gal as well.

ballpython1717 · 09-28-12, 07:23 PM

for right now a 20 gallon will suffice, but when it gets bigger you will need a 40

rmfsnakes32 · 09-28-12, 08:25 PM

You can also buy something called a repti fogger that will get your humidity levels on target!

Kingsnakechris · 09-28-12, 08:39 PM

How much do those run?

Wanka2012 · 09-28-12, 08:44 PM

Thanks guys! I definitely know I will need a bigger tank and will after I she gets a little bigger and will use the old one for feeding (I've read you should feed them in different areas). I bought a humidity gauge and a temperature gauge. In the warm spot it's hanging around 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity is at 60 degrees. I'm assuming the humidity is a little low so I'm going to spray down the inside of the tank in hopes to raise it. She seems comfortable in her hide and let me handle her again this afternoon. I don't touch her more than once a day, but I'm going to leave her alone tomorrow to give her more time to settle in.

Another issue- I want to know the sex of the snake, but pet shops have told me the snake is too young. I've youtubed ways to tell, but I don't want to mess up and hurt her reproductive organs. Is there any tricks for a ball python or should I let a professional find out for me?

Kingsnakechris · 09-28-12, 08:47 PM

Get a Professional... you have plenty of time for it to grow up a little lol.

Skumbo · 09-28-12, 09:33 PM

Have a professional do it.

As for humidity - what kind of gauge did you get?

btw its not degrees, its a % of water density in the air.

heres my hygrometer guide: Your humidity may be way off! | Paul The Polymath

Also - general guide with all new snakes, especially after being fed - leave em alone for about a week. I know you want to play with it because its a new pet, but resist the urge!

Also - try not to handle right after or the day after feeding, especially when the snakes are a big bigger and have a large food item in their body, they can be a bit skiddish or uncomfortable moving around - they want to sit and hide and use their energy to digest - they dont work the same way we do! Think of thanksgiving when you need to lay down and digest cause you feel so full, you dont want to go out and run around after a huge meal do you?

Also - lets see some pics!

rmfsnakes32 · 09-28-12, 10:12 PM

The repti foggers run about $40 thru zoo med online

Wanka2012 · 09-28-12, 10:31 PM

Here's wanka! I know it's not a very good background, but I'm going to leave him/her alone for a bit like was recommended and let him get acclimated

Lankyrob · 09-29-12, 08:41 AM

I notice you said there was only one hide, htere should be one at each end of the tank so that the snake can choose heat and security or "cold" and security

shaunyboy · 09-29-12, 08:45 AM

after feeding,it's better to leave a snake 2 to 3 days before handling,this gives the snake time to digest it's prey,handling too soon after feeding may cause the snake to reguratate

cheers shaun

MoreliAddict · 09-29-12, 08:59 AM

Snake sounds stressed, try to keep interruptions to a minimum. Provide a hide at the hot end, and the cool end, and let him be for a week.

Also, he may be able to handle larger prey than a pinkie mouse...

mykee · 09-29-12, 10:54 AM

Oh such bad advice in the first few posts.
Lets clear up all that crap, shall we:
1. A three month old ball python should be eating a meal roughly 10 times heavier than a pinky mouse (2-4g). Get it on rats ASAP, the longer you wait, the harder it will be.
2. Optimal normal humidity should be 60%, not 70-80%.
3. Stop handling him after eating (if you can even really call a mouse pinky eating).
4. 95 on the warm side, 80-ish on the cool side.
5. A 20 gallon tank is suitable until that animal is about 700g, you've got a year or so (or 20 years if you keep feeding him tiny meals).
6. And most important: you seem to have done little to no research regarding your new snake prior to your getting him. PLEASE either go to the library and rent a book on the captive husbandry of ball pythons or go to the pet store and buy one (or two).
Good luck.