r/ballpython • u/thevanderwildd • 1d ago
Question Normal?
Hi I recently got a young ball python and so far her temperament and pattern of behaviors has been consistent but this morning she was not asleep inside her hide out and that is a first since I got her she is laying up against the glass like this is this normal this snake means the absolute world to me
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u/FireCorgi12 1d ago
Is this a full setup? What’s the tank size? What’s the rest of your husbandry like?
Off the cuff, if that digital thermometer is right your temps are too low, and you need way more hides/clutter for a ball python to feel secure and safe. Here’s a pic of my juvenile’s enclosure for reference. She’s active and alert.
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u/counterlock 1d ago
Whole setup seems off from these pictures.
Temps are too low, I'm only seeing a single hide in the center (need at least two, one hot one cold/humid), much much more clutter so she can hide and explore, is there a water dish? Also going to want a better thermostat/hygrometer IMO. There's some online that have apps you can link to on your phone so you can always check your temps at any time.
I'm also curious about the tank size, and what your average humidity is like. A full glass tank is also not your best option for a BP, for both keeping in humidity and stress levels. Something with only the front being open like a PVC tank is what I suggest, since they hold humidity well and make the snake feel more secure.
Please give some of the subreddit guides a read, and update your husbandry!
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u/Toxic_Musshroom 1d ago
Oh wow, so there's many things you need to change here but most of the other comments pointed things out, you need way more clutter, minimum two hides one for each side, a water bowl if there isnt one, a temp/humidity gage for the hot and cool side because there should be a decent gradient and you need to know what's going on on both sides, from this picture your snake looks very overweight, and one thing no one pointed out is the fact that that hide you have for her is far too big, it's okay for them to have bigger hides in addition but her main hides should fit close to her body on all sides and have only one exit, and yeah the more things you can add to give her some stimulation and coverage the better, they want to feel safe and secure and protected from predators, I'm sure it feels overwhelming and like everyone in the comments is attacking you but they all just want to make sure your snake has a good quality of life and sometimes that means being direct, here's the recommended feeding guide
"We recommend the following feeding schedule:
0-12 months old OR until the snake reaches approximately 500g, whichever happens first: feed 10%-15% of the snake’s weight every 7 days.
12-24 months old: feed up to 7% of the snake’s weight every 14-20 days.
Adults: feed up to 5% of the snake's weight every 20-30 days, or feed slightly larger meals (up to 6%) every 30-40 days. "
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u/Own_Monk1012 1d ago
You really need a temp reader for the hot side and the cool side, as well as a minimum of a hide for each side. Cool side should read around 75-80° and warm side around 88-92°. Humidity should around 60-80%. Plus you need way more clutter because BPs need to be able to hide to feel comfortable. It also looks like you may not have a water bowl in there which is again absolutely necessary. Once the rest of the tank is set up you should really get a thermometer to keep the temps under control. Cute snake though.
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u/Ch33se_H3ad 1d ago
You need a cool side and a warm side. Put your heat source on one side, not the middle and add a thermometer/hydrometer to each side. Add a hide on both sides and add plants, lots of plants.
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1d ago
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u/Delicious-Plenty1933 1d ago
why is there only one hide thats too big? please do more research, for the health if the snake
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u/Bloooberriesquest 1d ago
Your setup needs some work. Do they have multiple hides on opposite sides of their tank? They might be trying to adjust to temps but don’t have the hides.