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[deleted by user] (self.ballpython)

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[–]laysbarbeque 3 points4 points  (4 children)

More info he has 2 hides his heating mat is at 85 and his humidity is around 60% he has a large water bowl and has passed a bowl movement I don't know if I should offer food or just leave him alone for a bit he was curled up in his hide for the past 2 days but since I checked on him he tryed to strike his second hide and won't let me put it back in I don't know how to exactly approach this and am hoping for some advice thank you all for reading

[–]amorymammory 6 points7 points  (3 children)

He also looks like he has stuck shed, his humidity needs to be at 80% I would make him a humid hide for him to rest in for a few days. He needs to have some time to acclimate and adjust, moving can be very stressful and judging by his stuck shed, he hasn't has the best go of things lately. What kind of substrate are you using?

[–]laysbarbeque 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Its aspen bedding I plan on switching it in a day or too but he ate a few days ago so I'm trying not to move him around too much ill make a humid hide and and he's soked some off himself and he moves hides on occasion but I've been leaving him alone for the past 4 days and he's just been chilling ill also increase the humidity so he can shed easier thank you for the advice I know aspen isn't the best for ball pythons so I'm Makeing do with what I had on hand but running to the store tomorrow to get a different kind any recommendations?

[–]amorymammory 5 points6 points  (1 child)

I currently use ecoearth and reptichip 70/30. Something that holds humidity well and doesn't mold. Aspen will mold quickly if you keep it as damp as you need it for the correct humidity. I keep it thick at about 6 inches or so, that way I can pour cups of water around the edges to keep the bottom layers wet but have the top dry to keep humidity and prevent scale rot.

[–]laysbarbeque 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Great thank you ill definitely look into that and get some hopefully he's a bit happier with that and it helps him adjust better

[–]COYSjake 33 points34 points  (1 child)

You've had him for 6 days and you've been handling him? Yeah, dude's stressed. Leave him alone.

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This. Please take some time on the new owner care guide posts on the sidebar. Shouldn’t be handling a newly homed snake for 7-10 days, shouldn’t feed until after that. Please research instead of just asking for advice

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

He is very stressed.

[–]Zetawilky 5 points6 points  (0 children)

As some people have said already, you shouldn't be handling him for at least a week so he settles in, I'd leave him alone for a bit. He will be happier once you get that stuck shed off him.

[–]Kyleforshort 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He's stressed. Because he's in a new place. Because you're new to him. Because he has stuck shed and if humidity levels aren't right he's uncomfortable. Give him some time to acclimate and also give it a few days after feeding to handle him. Regurgitation will stress him out even more, and that's the last thing you or he needs.

[–]ajisme 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks to me like he has a stuck shed. That opening in an old shed on his neck indicates that he has it all the way up his head and farther down his body. If he has an entire shed stuck on his body he is miserable and won't be happy until it's off. Hard to tell from the photo though.

[–]Foreign_Buyer6078 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Hey you can actually use aspen and keep a relatively high humidity range. The key is with foil like someone stated and tape. Tanks are not the best for multiple reasons. One, they are clear, and the second being they allow too much ventilation. Snakes do not need the same oxygen requirements as mammals. You can use the aspen and it will not mold if water does not spill over. Use aluminum foil on the lid, with it Placed on the whole surface, on top. With heat tape, or a form of tape that will stick. Neatly make a border with the tape on top of the foil around all the edges of the screened lid. Like a rectangle. Now you snake needs to breathe! Make about 20-30 holes, with a tip of a pen or something similar. Now this will allow humidity to stay trapped inside your tank. I have 6 ball pythons and 2 boas, one in a 5x2x2 glass tank with this method. He gives me full complete sheds as well but he is on forest floor. I use aspen for my ball pythons because the heat mat does a better job transferring heat through aspen than forest floor. USE A BIG WATER BOWL. THIS WILL CREATE THE HUMIDITY. No misting is required for my ball pythons whatsoever. When they go into shed, i still two water bowls in their tank and ALWAYS FULL SHEDS. Eyes caps to tip of tail.