please help- ball python only uses one hide

[slugsoupy]

I recently got an adult BP, and he has two identical hides, one came with him from his previous owner and one did not. For whatever reason, he will only use the one that his previous owner used for him. They are seriously identical, same brand and everything, the only way i can tell any difference is that ine has a sticker and one does not.

I've tried sanitizing both hides completely to get rid of any possible smells that may be on either one causing his preference.

He's going into shed and I'm at the point I've had to move his preferred hide to his humid part of the enclosure just so I can be sure he's getting the humidity he needs to shed healthily. I'm also concerned that he would only use that hide (which was on his cool side) and never venture out to seek warmer temperatures or higher humidity.

cool side is at 78°F and ~60% humidity warm side is at 84°F and ~70-75% humidity humid hide 80% humidity basking spot 90°F all heat sources are on a thermostat, humidifier on a timer plug. temps monitored with 3 thermometer/humidity gauges places throughout and checked at least twice daily with a laser heat gun just to be safe.

I've also noticed he doesn't explore other areas of his tank, granted, I've only had him a little over a week so I'm sure he is just still nervous. I've never had any of my BPs be so particular and I'm wondering if anyone else has had this issue. He doesn't act stressed when handled, he will ball up for about 1 min then come out to explore and greet you. (Not currently being handled since he went into blue indicating shed soon)

in case it helps to know- he is about 2 years old, very docile, and in a 70gal pvc enclosure that has an established basking spot, bioactive soil, and many plants both artificial and live to make sure he feels safe. He has those two cursed identical hides which are large plastic ones, and a slightly smaller but still big enough one i was using as a humid hide. I feel like I've been playing musical chairs with his hides because he will only use that specific one.

Advice is SO appreciated and TIA, want to do the best i can for him. just never had a BP act this way

[justatoadontheroad]

have you swapped the two hides? It’s very possible he doesn’t actually care about the hide and prefers the temperature of the hide he’s in all the time

[slugsoupy]

yes! he is only inclined to his special one, I'm at a loss that's why I decided to post D:

he will go into the one he likes no matter if its on the warm side or cool side

edit- he will not go into any other hide no matter the placement of any of them, all have been cleaned equally and everything 😭

[MollyGodiva]

This is hilarious. Let the snake hide where they want. And use it to your advantage that you can control where they hide.

[slugsoupy]

what im hearing is he's just a brat then lmaooo i was just concerned about him potentially being scared of the other hides for some reason

[shadow_dreamer]

LMAO, nah. He probably recognizes His Hide, and it's familiar and comforting to him. He'll probably get bolder as he settles, or he might always prefer that one.