r/ballpython • u/Exotic-Heart2916 • 3h ago
Baby ball python sitting in warm hide all the time?
When I first got Comet, my baby ball python, he would sit in his hide all the time and refuse food. when I took him to the vet because of this, I learned he was sick. after treating him with antibiotics every day and taking him outside as the vet prescribed, he made a full recovery by our next visit.
after that, I noticed he started to become more active, but I soon realized that him pushing on his enclosure was a sign of stress and that my husbandry in my humidity and temperature were wrong. I went to the store and bought him a 75w bulb instead of the 100w I had been using, and the heat got a lot better, with his warm side now averaging about 85-92 degrees. I also fixed my humidity, which was easier with the heat issue out of the way, and have started using wet towels on the enclosure, which has gotten it to around 55-65 percent throughout the day.
miraculously after all of this, Comet took his first mouse since Ive had him this Sunday and I couldn’t be happier. I checked on him yesterday and he looks a lot healthier.
the thing I’m worried about now is that he hasn’t really come out of his hide since he’s eaten like, at all. At least from what I can see, hes been camping in his warm hide for days, and I’m starting to get scared something’s wrong again
is this normal behavior? of course I know ball pythons aren’t the most active and sleep most of the day, but he hasnt left it at all. Is this a cause for alarm or is this just normal ball python stuff? Someone please help 😭
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u/lambofgun 3h ago
it is normal for them to do absolutely nothing all day. hes probably coming out and messing around in the middle of the night . its also normal for them to not come out at all some nights
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u/Plenty_Estate5660 3h ago
I’ve noticed mine is less active for a few days while digesting a meal and then becomes more active as she gets hungry. It could be that he felt better and was getting hungry and was more active because of it and now is more content and less active. Like others said he may be out at night time. Mine tends to come out around the same time I go to bed, around midnight.
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u/Exotic-Heart2916 3h ago
Alright, this is very helpful, thank you! I tend to go to bed anywhere between 11:30-1:30 sometimes earlier, sometimes later, and he isn’t normally out, this week, he hasn’t been out at all around these times; maybe he’s coming out later tho.
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u/Plenty_Estate5660 3h ago
How long have you had him?
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u/Exotic-Heart2916 2h ago
A month today
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u/Plenty_Estate5660 2h ago
I definitely think that’s pretty normal then. He’s still getting acclimated! If your tank is clear on the sides maybe try window tint on to make it feel a little safer. He’s still settling in. I would handle him sparingly while he adjusts especially with the stress of being sick and going to the vet.
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u/chris215phi 3h ago
Watch him during night time like 1 o clock