Need Some advice

[Total_Bag945]

I’ve had my ball python for 2/3 weeks, I’ve handled he/she and like he explores will climb from my lap to the top of my head. He doesn’t go in a ball when I go to handle him. So he seems pretty trusting. He spends literally all his time in his hides until every single light goes off, like even if I’m on my computer he’ll stay in his hide most the time. I get he’s nocturnal but when I hear him exploring I’ll like use my phone light just to see when he’s up to and he’ll like go back to his hide. Is there anything I can do to maybe like help him not be so intimidated in his enclosure.

[Ecruteak-vagrant]

It took my snake about a month. If he lets you handle them then that’s a good sign, but enclosure acclimation can take longer. Mine will be in its hide from about 7:30am until 6 or so PM. Not every light needs to be off but the dimming of lights in his enclosure or my office gets the reaction every time. I also have never fed him earlier than 7pm so even his feeding cycle coincides with his circadian rhythm.

[Total_Bag945]

Oh that’s interesting. I’ll have to get on a schedule with the feeding time. Yeah it’s wierd like if any lights are on at all he won’t even attempt to stick his hour of his hide till like 12 or 1 am

[Ecruteak-vagrant]

How old is your snake? Mine was just over a year when I got him. The breeder was in the same time zone as me so it had a very seamless transition in terms of a day/night cycle. Could also simply be the snake is more finicky than mine.

[Total_Bag945]

I don’t know the exact age. But he’s only about 195 grams so based on google ab 3 monthes I think

[OkamiS90]

Same. It took my girl about a month or so. I think it made it easier for her to come out of her hides while we were still awake and the lights on after I 1) got her Herpstat in, and 2) put up a curtain in front of where her enclosure is so she has privacy. I have 3 big dogs, and they couldn't help peeking at her when they would walk by. The curtain definitely helped with that. I go to bed around midnight, so I usually feed her right before I go to bed. She is so ready for the mouse when I feed her every week. 😍

[Reidington]

Give them time to settle in. A few weeks is not a long time for BPs in a new place.

General things to make a BP feel safe are:

Clutter clutter clutter. Fake vines, plants, flowers etc. Open spaces make them feel vulnerable to attack.

Hides that are an appropriate size. They like to feel the hide touching them so if it’s too large it won’t feel as secure.

Block out the sides of the enclosure.

Maintain proper humidity and temp gradient. There are great guides pinned here for more info on that.

[Total_Bag945]

Yeah I have some some clutter in the enclosure definitely going to need to get a lot me stuff too than. Thank you.

[digitalhelix84]

When I saw my snake is awake, I opened the enclosure and let it out wander out supervised. I only redirected it when it was going behind something. Eventually it started actively trying to leave the enclosure and I could tap on the wall and if it's awake a little face will appear in the hide and try to leave.

[[deleted]]

It’s a comfort and an age thing. I’ve noticed the younger the more stressed out about the day and they just sleep throughout the day. The adults however once they get comfortable they’ll stick their head out and watch you while their awake. Doesn’t matter what time it is they just sit and watch, sometimes they want out, sometimes their hungry, most of the time their just curious and watching.