Just got a new baby bp!

Hi everyone! This is one of my first posts so sorry if it's not very good lol. My new baby girl bp arrived here yesterday morning from California and I wanted to ask a few questions about her behavior. When I unpacked her I let her out directly into her tank. She did not ball up but she was very nervous (understandably) and curious and alert. She roamed her tank for a few mins smelling everything and then went under her water bowl (which is on the cool side) and as far as I know hasn't been out since unless she came out while I was sleeping. I changed her water this morning as I will be doing daily, and she was still under it. She lifted her head a little when I picked it up but did not ball up. She layed against the side of the tank for awhile after I replaced and then went back under it. As far as I know she is still there. I know they need awhile to get used to their surroundings but is she hiding or sleeping? Is it normal for them to stay hidden in a cool spot for long periods of time? I was thinking that maybe she is sleeping because in the wild I know they burrow and sleep during the day and hunt at night. Thanks for any feedback!! =D

She's hiding, and probably sleeping some too, and yes, it is normal. As you pointed out, she is nocturnal, and is a naturally shy animal. When she gets more comfortable with the housing arrangements she may begin coming out in the evenings for you to observe. I have several that do, but I also have a few that never move if the lights are on in the room.

But balls are generally pretty easy going, and she will probably begin exploring in the evenings within a couple weeks.

Good luck and congrats.

same problem...

my new bp also was always hiding/sleeping during the day, and i saw him move at night once, but then after a while the person i got it from said she fed it evry week on saturday, so on saturday i fed him, hoping he would be acclimated enough and eat, he was, but afterwords he was moving all around the cage, even in the light daytime. i think he figured i wasnt gunna hurt him since i fed him so he wont be afraid of me now, have you fed yours yet?

Yes she surprised me. I got her from Dan and Colette Sutherland so she is a strong eater but she was still balling up everytime I changed her water or tweaked my digital thermometer. I didn't think she'd feed she just got here tuesday but Colette told me to try her friday shed cycle or no shed cycle and I did. She ate one hopper mice and proceeded to look all over and up at us for another and since then she's using all her hides and roaming at night. She's still during the day but not completely hidden like always. She's leaving her head sticking out of her hides. We are having our first handling session tomarrow. Thanks for the replies!!

Congratulations John and Denise

It sounds like both of you made the right choice in selecting your Ball Pythons and the people you aquired them from. They are great animals. I love them.
Enjoy, Rob

Just remember that from your snake's perspective you are a huge warm stinky monster and your relationship should fall into place quite nicely. Snakes are both naturally lazy and naturally wary of humans, but you two have 40 years to get used to each other. Good luck!

Erin B.