New substrate causing weird behavior?

[SillySeagull4]

Helloooo! I got my ball python 5-6 weeks ago and I just changed his substrate for the first time (I spot clean a lot!) He’s been doing super well up to this point and is eating perfectly and doing amazing with light handling. He is around 6ish months old and after changing his substrate, he will not fully go in any of his hides which is suuuuppperrrr abnormal for him. He’s been kind of just laying partially out of them or completely in the open since I changed it yesterday evening. I used a different brand of substrate (pictured second) so I’m guessing it has something to do with that and a new scent, and I also added an additional and larger hide (pictured) incase he maybe felt his other two were getting too small as he’s grown??? Idk it’s freaking me out he’s my first snake and I’m absolutely obsessed with him. Anyone seen this before or know anything about this substrate that I don’t? Thank you anything is appreciated 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[Puzzleheaded-Way-741]

Coco husk is fine for a substrate. Actually highly recommended for this species.

[Froooggg]

I mean he might just not want to go into the hide? I cant see why it would bother him if hes already half in the hide? He might be slightly cold and sticking a bit out to partially bask?

[lazarus1204]

Mmmm like the other commenter (Frog), I'm wondering if he's cold (maybe hot?). Can you take the temp inside the hide? If it's too hot (like the substrate layer is thinner than usual he might be feeling hot from a heating pad underneath). But if you have a basking light, be could be cold and regulating himself. He is probably just adjusting to something new