new guy with a few questions!

[joshuajames]

Hi everyone ill try to keep this short as I am new. My name is Josh and I just got my first ball python, a pinstripe lemon blast ball python! he is still a baby, and this is my first snake I've owed personally and taken care of, although when i was younger my dad had a ball python and two carpet pythons, but i was too young to really watch how he took care of them.

anyway my questions, when i got him a little over two weeks ago all was fine, i was handling him with no problem at all but then i went to vacation and since I've come back he has been in his cool hiding spot and hasn't moved at all. Is this because he's ready to shed? i fed him for the first time before i left, and when i tried to reach in slowly and just even pet him he hisses at me. So I've let him be but I'm not real sure where to go from here… if anyone can help id really appreciate it. My dad is very busy with my other siblings so i try to handle this by myself as much as possible.

[alessia55]

Welcome to the forum! Please read our sSNAKESs forum rules.

[nazanova]

Hello and Welcome from London . It could be cause he's shedding, my Corn is normally very active until he's due to shed, then he just hides all day even during the night. What are your temperatures? That could also be why if they are not correct.

[franks]

Are the hides identical? If not try switching the hot and cool just to see what happens. Ball pythons like their security and if the cold hide makes him feel more comfortable he will choose it regardless of whether he wants warmth or not. Otherwise, if your temps are fine (like nazanova asked) then just leave him be. The reason we offer a cool and warm side is because they will use them both.

Welcome aboard! Hope you enjoy it here as much as we do.

[EL Ziggy]

Welcome and best wishes.

[joshuajames]

my temps are 90 on the hot side and about 83 on the cool side, is this okay? and no the hides are not identical.. i think my hot side hide may be a bit too big for him. the cool side hide is much smaller ( its a little tiki guy) and he hides inside of him.

thank you guys for the help and I'm glad i decided to join!

[nazanova]

Your temps sound fine and I wouldn't be worried about him hiding in the cool side. My Corn spends almost all his time in the cool side apart from when he's digesting food. Also snakes 9/10 will hide in the smallest hide they can fit into so.

[joshuajames]

okay cool, i just didn't know if my small hide should be on the heated side so he isn't forced to hide on the cool side you know?

[franks]

They prefer smaller hides. They like to feel their whole body in contact with the sides. Switch the hides and observe. I usually stuff my hides with rocks until the snakes grow into them. Something to consider.