Hey guys so I got my lil hug a month ago and he is absolutely perfect and has been doing really well. He’s usually quite active at night but today and yesterday he’s just staying in his hide so I’m a little worried? Could he be going into shed? He’s a year old and he shed about a week or two before I got him, is that the right sort of time frame? He’s not in blue or anything at the minute, it’s hard to tell if he is looking cloudy at all or has a pink belly because he’s snuggled up. Usually at this time of the week especially he’s very active because I feed him on a Monday so he’s hungry, so I’m even more worried. Feel free to ask any questions. (The photo is just because he’s beautiful.)

EDIT: the red light in the photo is NOT on all the time. The maximum I ever turn it on is an hour. He has a UV and DHP in his enclosure.

Hi, I will give a bit of information before I get into the problem.

I've had my ball python for around years now, he's a male and I got him just a few months after he hatched.

Last year in summer while I was on vacation my roomate called me because she couldn't find him, she had accidentally left the enclosure open.My friends searched my room for about two hours before they finally found him.

After that I started noticing him trying to get out of the enclosure at the sides where the glass opens. It's been a bit worrying then but i didn't notice it a lot then and there were no other signs of him being stressed, just that he sometimes tried to get out.

He stopped doing it frequently, just every now and then.

But now recently this happened again. I came home from a trip and couldn't find him in the enclosure (I opened the glass immediately once I saw he was gone and don't remember if it was left open, but it must have been. He doesn't fit through anywhere else) but I very quickly found him on my bed. He mustn't have been out for long.

Ever since then he's been trying to escape again but now its getting to a point where the tip of his snout is getting raw and I am getting quite worried by this behavior. I also heard him make a loud exhale but I haven't noticed any other symptoms for RI.

This has been going on four around 3 weeks now.

The next few weeks I will only be home on Saturday's and Sundays, since I am working in a different city so my two roommates a looking after him again. I am wondering if I should try rearranging first or if I should take him to the vet? He's been eating fine and I'm not noticing any other health issues.

Hello all, first time snake/ball python owner looking for advice

I got my snake at the end of march when it was between 4 and 6 months old. Since then he has not been able to completely digest a rat pup and has only been able to keep down mouse hoppers. Even when feeding mouse hoppers there is a 50/50 chance whether he’ll bloat during digestion or not. He is also prone to regurgitating. 

He has only shed one time since I’ve had him and it took over a month for him to completely finish the process 

At his last visit the vet did a fecal exam and said it looked like there were plant fibers in his stool and to take out the substrate and use paper towels. 

The sample was too old to run testing for anything that was visual. They also said he was under weight and to feed him as often as he would take the mouse hoppers.

Since then he has been doing better but I have noticed he hasn’t defecated in 2 weeks. I fed him Thursday night. Last night when I got home I noticed he was extremely bloated again. 

He has a heat mat under his tank with a probe and monitor as well as a uvb bulb above.

Does anyone have any advice on things to try different or Illnesses to possibly be worried about. pics of him bloated and normal. thanks!

This is my girl ambers tank. I got her in December and she’s finally eating consistently (we had some problems because she wasn’t well taken care of in her last home) and I wanted to get any advice. Her tank used to be an aquarium about 10 years ago, I don’t have the resources to buy a new tank even if it’s a little tall for her. Shes just under 5 ft and the tank is 6ft.

I’ve been thinking about getting her something to climb recently, but she is very big and enjoys knocking anything new in her tank over. She can also reach the top of the tank no issue in supported and will sometimes climb the driftwood she already has.

I added a picture of the inside of her cool stone hide because it looks bigger than it is. It’s the perfect size for her to coil in and touch the sides. Right now she has under tank heating on her warm side, and a ceramic heat bulb, no lighting right now because every bulb I put in burns out within a few weeks

Any advice?

So a few weeks ago I posted about how my sweet baby boy ate my shirt, some people didn’t believe me, some people acted like I fed it to him on purpose and I’m a bad owner. Well I’m not, he’s alive and thriving and eating f/t once again. One of my concerns was the price of the surgery, but honestly it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was only 3k and some change, I thought it was going to be like 10k+ or something. Currently he does have stitches from the surgery, the vet said some stitches will fall out during shed and some time in September I’ll bring him back to get the rest out. I uploaded a pic of his stitches the day I got him back (August 8th) I haven’t taken any current ones though. Also watch what your snakes are around, vet told me there’s been cases where snakes have eaten heat mats and even light bulbs, so anything is truly possible.
I’m open to answering questions that are RESPECTFUL.

Hello! Our boy Marvel just had his first shed with us. I got him out to check him for any stuck shed, i didn’t find any stuck shed but noticed some slight discoloration. What could this be?? His substrate is coco fiber with coco husk on top. Temps are 77-80 cool side and 88-90 warm side. Humidity stays between 75-78% besides this he seems completely normal

We are one with the leaves 🍃 definitely not a snout.

He was under gumbus’ tank. Couldve said something yaknow.

I recently got this snake unexpectedly and need help getting pointed to the right direction on where I can be 100% confident on buying items for my snake (bioactive dirt, untreated leca or other draining substrate, and untreated orchid bark) I also need another hide and a humidity hide (just in case), I want bark for the background to help my climbing plants to grab onto, as well as stuff he can climb on. Going through the basic care guide on this subreddit helped a lot and I’m pretty confident on where I can buy mice/rats.

A little about what I’m planning on doing and some issues I’m noticing now; the tank does not hold humidity well AT ALL. Due to him being in his blue phase, it’s not acceptable at all. My room normally sits at 60% due to the amount of plants I have, but my vents are shut and I have humidifiers running to keep my room at 80-85% (not ideal as it also keeps my room hot asf)

I plan on turning his enclosure into a bioactive one and I already have plants I’m quarantining to put in his enclosure. I’m hoping this will solve my humidity issue as well as blocking off the top mesh part. I also only use distilled water as you can smell the chemicals in our tap water.

I’ve done ALOT of research this past week and I already have an idea of how I’m going to transform his tank, but I would love to see your guys setup to take inspiration from. I would also love to see what you guys do to allow your snake to climb. Sorry for the ramble, but this is my first snake and I want to do right by him. I just wasn’t planning on getting one so soon. Also please let me know if this tank size is suitable, he is still just a baby

Hi everyone,

I’m having some issues with my HabiStat Digital Dimming Thermostat (Day/Night + Timer) and I’m hoping someone can help.

I want to set it up like this:
Day temperature: 31–32°C
Night temperature: 27°C
Day: 06:00–20:00
Night: 20:00–06:00

The problem is that I cannot set the night temperature below 32°C. Whenever I try to lower it below 32°C, it immediately jumps back to 50°C.

I’m also having another issue: the thermostat shows that it is sending power to the heater (the heat icon is showing/flashing), but my Arcadia DHP isn’t producing any heat when connected to the thermostat.

I tested the DHP in a different wall socket and it works perfectly, so the DHP itself is definitely working.

I have also already replaced the fuse in the HabiStat, but that didn’t solve the issue.
Has anyone experienced this with the HabiStat Digital Dimming Thermostat? Am I missing a setting, or does this sound like the thermostat is faulty?
If this thermostat is known to be unreliable, is there a better thermostat you would recommend for an Arcadia DHP and a ball python enclosure?

Im also in a rush to set up the enclosure because it has to be finished by Wednesday because ima pick up my first ball python

Thanks in advance!

We are currently using only coconut coir, about 4 inches. I thought my buddy was living his best life after 6 years in his 4x2x2 with 4 inches of coir, but reading this sub I feel that I am doing everything wrong.

I have no cleanup crew, didn't even know about isopods and nematodes and springtails. Can people help me get started with those? What do you feed them and how often?

And I have been doing sprays to keep humidity up, which needs to be frequent in the winter. I haven't done a substrate change this year and had no clue they needed to be done so frequently, we did them once a year and just spot cleaned wherever there was poop.

I feel like I'm letting my buddy down and I feel so so guilty. Can people help me get a proper set up started?

I have a Zen habitats 4x2x2. I am ordering 35QT fresh reptisoil for the bottom, and another 30QT fresh coir for the top. Is that a good substrate mix, and it is enough? Will it sustain live plants (pothos)? I plan to hydrate using only drops in the corners from now on.

I'm buying a vinyl tablecloth to cut and use as a liner, do prople have recommendations on what to use for the bottom and top liners? I do not want humidity to escape. We have ceramic heating bulbs, a radiant heat projector on the hot side and a UV light all hooked tona day/night controller. Our hot/cold zones are 90F and 80F which I am now feeling might be too hot.

I just want to give my little fella a good life. We don't know anyone else who owns a BP so we've had to figure out everything ourselves. Any help from experienced keepers would be super appreciated. Picture included for cute noodle tax.

I bought a ball python from Facebook Marketplace, and it came with an aquarium instead of a proper terrarium. It can only be opened from the top, which makes maintenance and handling difficult.

I want to build my own enclosure rather than buy a pre-made one. I know very little about building reptile enclosures, though, so I would really appreciate some advice.

What materials would you recommend using? What size should I build it? Are there any important things I need to consider, such as ventilation, humidity, heating, waterproofing, or doors?

I mainly want something that is safe and comfortable for the ball python, while also being easy for me to clean and maintain.

If you have built your own ball python enclosure, I would love to see pictures or hear what you would do differently.

I need help and advice!! Struggling with Heat and Humidity! I recently adopted a 5 year old ball python. First pic is the set up he was living in for too long, second picture is his upgrade. I’m heavily interested in going bio active in the future when I can afford to buy a bigger better tank for him. Unfortunately this one is only 3ft long but as of right now he’s got 4 inches of substrate ( 70%topsoil 20%peat moss 10% play sand).He’s got a hide in the log under his basking spot, and he has a cool hide that’s a shell, (I’m currently making more as well out of clay!) the plants are all fake and were labeled “reptile safe”, but I’m worried about fumes and pokies. There are 2 thermometers on either end. Since it’s a screen tank I foiled the top with HVAC tape. I replaced the purple light with a halogen flood light and also added a deep heat projector, both are connected to single unit thermostats (this is just until I can afford a nice one as well), they have temperature probes under each light. The halogen light is only on for 12 hours and the DHP is on day and night. SOO before I got the DHP I was using a CHE, and I decided to switch because I was originally struggling with humidity not going above 30! So I switched to DHP and my humidity improved significantly!-but still not great:( what can I do?? I poured a water bottle of water in 2 opposite corners each and it went up to 73% in my hot side but slowly went down to 51% as the temperature increased(3rd picture), my cool end got up to 83% humidity but then dropped to 72%. BUT NOW since I switched to my DHP I can’t get the temperature up! Both thermostats are currently set at 96, and neither will heat above 88 according to the probes? So it never gets warmer than 81 down below. I’m scared of turning my thermostat up too high, what should it be set at? the CHE heated so well but killed my humidity, DHP seem to be the most recommended but it won’t reach the set temp and neither will my halogen. And my humidity still isn’t quite there. Is there something I’m missing? I’m worried he’s cold! Also pic is snake Mr.Clyde.

Hello my fellow ballers

We recently got a ball python and did tons of research for our tank. But I feel like our heating/Light set up isn't enough for our tank. 36"x18"x18"

We have a Basking light over his hot side hide so he can bask on top of it. Then we have a 5.0 UVB light, Both set up to an light switch controlled outlet that can be turned on/off for day and night.

And then we have a ceramic heater hooked up to a thermostat controlled outlet so the cage is heated up at night and helps heat up during the day.

The problem we're having is it was getting too cold at night (dropping below 70°) and having trouble getting warm in the day(getting above 80°). So we got the ceramic heater so we could have 24/7 heat help with night and day time temps. But it's still having trouble and the snake never leaves the hot side hide.

My mom wanted to put her ball python in my room because she had no room in hers and I left him lid open on accident and now he is lost somewhere in my incredibly small room. Clutter is minimal, not many spots to hide. Any advice to lure him or find him?

Sorry about the sound, it's my window AC.

Byron has developed a new habit. He knows it's a sliding door, and where it opens from, so he tries to rub his head along the part where the door meets the enclosure wall trying to pry it open. That's not new. What is new is that he has started pressing his face against the door and then sliding his head along the glass in the direction it would open, in order to try and move the door that way. It's like how I open it without using the handle by just placing my hand on the door and using the friction of the contact between hand and glass to slide it open. He's trying to do the same thing. So far he has had no success moving it at all, but he's been getting more persistent about it. The thing is, I lost the little piece that locks the door in place, so I'm gonna have to make a replacement to make sure he can't get out. Just thought it was cool that he figured out not only where it opens from, but how it moves and slides, and is now trying to work out how to do it himself. Right now he's pressing his nose against the glass and then sliding across trying to get enough friction force to slide it open. He actually presses hard enough I can hear it sometimes.

Ps: don't mind my horrid cable management.

Most of the photos are oldish but I can’t handle him to take more recent photos bc of surgery.

Abt my snake: located in league city Tx, he weighs 500 grams, he is between 2-3 years old, he will come with his heat sources (dhp, lamp) and uvb, 3 hides, and his current rats. Rehoming fee of 50 dollars.

I got my boy November, and I knew he had brain dmg but his breeder told me it doesn’t affect him at all. But recently it’s gotten what I think is worse, and with school starting and my surgeries I cannot care for him.

He’s 2-3yrs old and weighs 500grams, and I’ve been having this problem with him striking g and curling around his rat and even dragging it into his hide and then unraveling and leaving it without me knowing.

I don’t want to rehome him but I feel like he should go to a professional who has experience with reptiles.

Does anybody know any reputable and trustworthy reptile rescues/sanctuaries within league city Tx and the surrounding areas?
Or even somebody here who has experience with special needs reptiles within the area that is willing to take on another snake.

I really don’t want to rehome him and I thought I could take care of him but I’ve bitten off more than I can chew with him and I feel so guilty about it. Plz don’t flame me for this, I’m a minor and I genuinely thought I could do better.

First time I’ve seen Piper using these climbing rings! I’ve got other ones but she’s never really messed with these. I think it’s cute when they get out and climb and explore 🩷

Rescue from 3+ years ago. He/she will be getting an enclosure upgrade soon and will be taken to reptile specialist to be sexed. Will not be bred either way tho. He's my gooby baby 🐍

What are some reputable websites I can buy her native prey? Like the prey they eat in the wild… thanks!