New ball python...what now?

Question

I recently had a ball python (somewhat) dropped into my life. I had been thinking of getting one for awhile but had not committed to the idea, then a co-worker tells me that her son recently decided that he no longer liked his 2 year old ball python and that I could have him and his cage/supplies otherwise he was going to the snake version of a humane society. I didn't want to see the little guy homeless so I agreed to take him on. When I picked him up he was in this little tiny (think maybe 15 gallon) tank and he's roughly 4.5 feet long, the thing was filled with wood chips as bedding and had a little tiny under-tank heater with no hide box. I proceeded to go out and buy him a new 30 gallon tank, hide box, a few branches and a new incandescent (red) heat lamp so he could bask if needed. I also provided him a large enough water dish to get in and soak as needed. He doesn't need to eat for 3 days but I was considering holding off for a few days to give him time to adjust. He doesn't seem too stressed (He's active and moves around the cage, climbs on things and hides in his hide box) but I've been attempting to leave him alone to get used to the new surroundings as well as getting over being transported in a car. My question is what else does he need? I know I need to provide a bigger hide box for him as he doesn't fit under the largest one they had in the pet store, any ideas for a household item that could be used? Also I'm not sure he's drinking currently so should I mist him in the cage with water? Any ideas on helping him adjust would be greatly appreciated!!

Answer 1

Try one of those rubbermaid containers, and cut a hole on the side, put a water dish in big enough to soak. He may feel like soaking and feel more comfortable in there. And make sure his cage is warm enough. An under the tank heater is a good way to keep him warm, with a thermostat controller.

Answer 2

i think any card box will do  ,if he don't eats or drinks take him to a vet or get your self a book about Ball Pythons and reed  it.good luck

Answer 3

you can make one out of legos. it works for my ball or u can use a shoebox and cut a hole in it

Answer 4

His cage might still be too small for him. You can go to a Low's or HD and get some large sheets of plexi glass and make him a bigger cage like 5ftLx2ftWx3ftH. It dose not have to be super strong most snakes are just happy to sit around.  For the floor I would use that green artificial turf with a heating pad under neath it.  Than you can pull the turf out and clean it when ever you wont. The wood chip can hold bacteria that can cause an infection on the snakes belly.  To hide in you could use a new cat box lid he will be able to get into any thing that has a hole about 1 inch in it.  Be careful with the heating lamp if it doesn't have a thermostat control you could cook that sake. Snake don't drink water with their mouths they get it from their food or soak it up throw their skin. So the tub of water is just fine.  Out of the cage he will like to go two places. Up hi or in a small secure spot. Mine would hide in the pool table. He would fit in a hole in between the pocket and the slate. I pulled the sides off  that table too many times.  I would get him a cat tree something tall with a box in it up hi.  You will have to add some wood to make an enclosure. just make it with a door so you can get to the snake fast.  I would suggest holding the snake every day to help socialize it.  DO NOT HANDLE  TO THE SAKE IF YOU HAVE HELD ITS FOOD AND HAVE NOT FED IT YET!!!  It my strike at you.  Feeding the snake. If it is 4 feet you can give it teen/adult rats. You can train the sake to eat still warm dead rats. Some people will say it make the snake less aggressive. I don't know I was too much of a wuss to kill them myself.  My snake was only aggressive when you trying to take him out, or put him in the cage. Any other time he was just fine.  Good luck.

Answer 5

Don't leave him alone for too long, or you suddenly trying to handle him could be just as stressful as the trip.  In fact, after a few days (the day before you go to feed him), you should try to handle him, for you shouldn't bug him for a day or two after he eats (snake puke isn't fun).  Anyway, don't be too worried about handling him "too soon", because the sooner he has someone to trust, the better.  Also, he will drink when he wants, just let him relax.  My suggestion is to make sure the tank is humid rather than misting him, though, I suppose, either would suffice.  But, no matter what, keep a (or more than one) thermometer in/on the cage to make sure the temperature is constant, and at the right heat for your snake.  A humidity reader would also be a smart buy.

I hope that's helpful!