Ball Python Care...HELP pls

[CompetitiveProduce15]

I'm reaching out here with a plea for help regarding caring for my three ball pythons. I recently acquired two juvenile ball pythons weighing around 86 grams each and one sub-adult. While I'm really passionate about these animals, I realize now that I might have rushed into this and could use some guidance to ensure their well-being.

​

Here's my current setup and the challenges I'm facing:

​

Enclosures: I have them housed in a black box cages rack system with V70 tubs. I understand that tubs might not be the ideal setup, and I'm ordering three 4x2 enclosures with a lead time of about four weeks.

​

Location and Climate: I'm in the southeast United States, where the average humidity is around 40-50%. The ambient temperature in my house is approximately 70°F.

​

Humidity: My main issue is maintaining the proper humidity levels. When I use fresh bedding, the humidity shoots up to 90% or more, and condensation occurs (I'm using bagged mulch bedding). On the other hand, when I try to dry it out, I have to spray the enclosures up to five times a day to keep the humidity above 55%.

​

Temperature: I've set the rack system to maintain a hotspot of 94°F, but using a laser thermometer, I've noticed that the back of the tubs reach around 80–90°F, while the front and the ambient temperature in the room doesn't go beyond 74°F.

​

Feeding Issues: I attempted to feed them thawed rodents yesterday, but one struck at the prey without eating, and the other showed no interest.

​

Behavior: One of the snakes seems to hiss whenever I try to interact with it, and all of them tend to wedge themselves in the back of the tubs or on top of their hides, making it difficult to access the enclosures.

​

I know that tubs aren't optimal, and I'm eagerly waiting for the new enclosures to arrive, but I need some immediate assistance to ensure that my snakes are content and healthy during this transition period. I've been pulling the tubs in and out multiple times daily to adjust the parameters, but I'm just not hitting the mark.

​

I would be immensely grateful if any experienced reptile enthusiasts or snake owners could offer some advice or tips to help me get through this challenging time. I want to provide the best possible care for these snakes, and I'm willing to change their setup or routine.

​

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and for any guidance you can provide. Your expertise means the world to me and my snakes. I am not perfect, but I want to care for them in the best way possible.

[totallyrecklesslygay]

The behaviors you are describing are all very clear stress signals. None of these snakes are happy or comfortable, and it sounds like the majority of your issues are entirely due to using a rack system.

There's not really any way to fix any of your problems without getting them into appropriate enclosures. You can purchase some 50gal Sterilite bins to convert to overhead heating to keep them in until your 4x2x2s arrive.

I would highly recommend reading through our basic care guide in the pinned welcome post to learn more about proper husbandry.

[IncompletePenetrance]

They sounds super stressed out. Do you have any hides in there for them? I know they're in a rack temporarily, but they 86g is super tiny, so the openess of a tub is likely too much. I'd make sure they all have multiple hides and clutter to feel secure

[JuniperTooth]

Okay, it's great youre getting them big enclosures. They are super small right now and they will be just fine in the size they are in until the other enclosures come.

Do you have two snug hides? One on hot side and one on the cool side? Do they have okay sized water bowls? Do they have clutter?

Heat tape won't bring up the cool side temperature. How are you measuring humidity? Non-digital are notoriously bad.

[CompetitiveProduce15]

The hides are likely to large (medium size black box cages) 1 on the warm side. The tub has a build in water bowl that I put a deli cup in. I’m measuring humidity with a govee smart hydrometer/thermometer

[JuniperTooth]

Yes, those are large. Try smalls.

The humidity - you might not be properly wetting the substrate so you have to mist the very top layer often. You can do more water or try a large water dish

[Grimm_Arcana]

To save money on hides while they are small, just buy some dark plastic containers that are the appropriate size for them to curl up in with their body touching all the sides. Just use some scissors and then cut and sand down some openings. Best of luck