www.reptileforums.net - new ball python-handling question

Posts: 136

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/05 02:34 Hi I just got my first snake-buford-hes a ball python. He seems happy in his new home,a 20 gallon tank, he is active and seems content; however I have two questions...He dosent seem to like to hide much he just curls up in the corner to sleep, is this okay? I've also left him alone to settle in for a few days yesterday was the first time I pulled him out he was active and then he stretched out on my arm and went to sleep i guess is this an indication that hes comfortable- in that hes not balling up with me or is he stressed?

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stillz67

Posts: 584

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/05 05:42 Balling up means it's frightened. If it is sprawled out that means it is comfterble with you and not under stress. Don't worry it seems to be fitting in just fine. The fact that is also doesn't go into it's hides means it feels content. If it wants to use the hides it will.

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reptileguy3

Posts: 3077

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/05 18:48 Welcome to the forum Buford. I hope that all of your questions and concerns can be cleared away here.

Post edited by: reptileguy3, at: 2008/09/06 04:11

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buford

Posts: 136

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/06 02:49 thanks for the answers guys, I've just fed him for the first time so my fingers are crossed that he eats....I'll check in a few hours.

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Karl

Posts: 399

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/06 03:17 what did you feed him? You really should stay with him to insure that he is not injured, unless you fed him a dead animal.
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buford

Posts: 136

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/06 04:14 He gets frozen food lol. Thawed of course, I fed him in a separate enclosure and then put it and him back in his real house until he left it on his own. He ate like a champ and then had a big drink, and is now happily(I assume) digesting unmolested in his hide. Yeah!!

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reptileguy3

Posts: 3077

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/06 04:16 Well what size of mice or rats is he eating?

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buford

Posts: 136

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/06 04:30 two inch furry mouse

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reptileguy3

Posts: 3077

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/07 06:36 Okay and how big is your snake? You should be feeding a prey item that is just about the same thickness as your snake's mid-section and only feed once a week.

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buford

Posts: 136

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/08 01:59 hes about 16 inch or so. The mice are about the right size. They were feeding them on saturdays at the store however i noticed that he was getting a little touchy and starting to track movement around his tank on thursday so i fed him a day early. I assume that a bigger house and more room to roam made him hungry early should I try feeding him two mice or just keep an eye out for the tracking and feed him when he shows this behaviour?

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DeadLegend

Posts: 21

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/09 03:23 Well generally ball pythons are extremely docile. I wouldnt worry about where hes sleeping at. If he feels comfortable enough to not want a hide box then i would say that thats definately a good sign

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DeadLegend

Posts: 21

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/09 03:25 Oh and there really isnt any need to take him out of his enclosure to feed him. Snakes are not territorial. The only thing that could possibly happen is that you snake gets used to the food coming in a certain way.

I had a ball python for 5 years and fed him in his cage all the time. I never once got bit.

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DeadLegend

Posts: 21

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/09 03:27 Erggg another thing

Just stick to a strict feeding schedule. Snakes are oppurtunistic eaters, which means, if you put food in front of them, theyll eat it, regardless of whether there hungry or not. One mouse a week should be good. You dont want your snake to get obese!

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buford

Posts: 136

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/12 03:24 thanks for all your help. Buford seems to be adjusting fine to the household. I'm really enjoying him, and now I'm thinking about another snake...so its off to the exotic show on sunday. I'm thinking of getting a green tree python, I guess i'll see whats there.

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reptileguy3

Posts: 3077

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/12 16:55 Well just know that you won't be able to handle the tree python much. They are a very aggressive species of snake, though they are very pretty looking.

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buford

Posts: 136

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/13 04:50 I've heard that about them. But they are really beautiful and the size is good for my space. do you know anything about their feeding habits? All the info I've found is a bit vague. I know you feed them less often due to their metabolism but how do you get them to eat if you dont feed live prey. Do you have to shake it at them or something?

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buford

Posts: 136

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/13 04:55 Oh and happily buford has eaten his second meal for me. However he hasnt had a bowel movement yet I've had him two weeks hes eaten twice, I've cleaned his cage but I havent seen anything yet.

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reptileguy3

Posts: 3077

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/13 17:36 They are very beautiful, but also just as aggressive. You can buy frozen/thawed mice, but I'm highly against it, but that's just me. You can feed a mouse that is about the same thickness as their midsection once a week and that will be just perfect. That's how you should also be feeding your ball python.
When was the last time you fed your ball python?

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DeadLegend

Posts: 21

new ball python-handling question - 2008/09/14 19:45 Well you got a ball python, and you dont seem like a very experienced keeper. BUT a ball python is a perfect starter snake. Docile, easy to take care of, usually good eaters, all of these things that you wouldnt get with an green tree python/emerald tree boa. And they can get big ive heard of them getting a good 8 or 9 feet long. And there one of the most aggresive snakes. Definately not a snake for the newbie. Id suggest against it. Just stick with your royal for a while and then maybe get a red tail.

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buford