A Few Concerns

[sarah86]

Hi Everyone

I bought my first snake early last week. He is a spotted python, 5 weeks old.

He is a very active snake constantly outside looking around and climbing, i recently changes the substrate from pallets that i received in the enclosure when i purchased him to paper towel. When i changed to paper towel he is constantly underneath the paper towel and he doesnt seem to come out from underneath it, as soon as i get him back out from underneath he goes straight into the water and is back climbing etc. Should i try to somehow seal off so that he cant get underneath or just let him go?

I am reading alot about hatchlings not being very active and hiding etc, but mine seems to be the opposite he also fed the first time i offered it to him. He is only in his hiding spot for around and 1hr a day....Is it normal for him to be so active???

Thanks!!!!!

 

[FAY]

Give him a hide, just a light globe box with a little section cut out of it. Don't know why he would be so active...trying to escape I would think.

 

[sarah86]

Ha yes i did suspect that he might be trying to escape.. lucky its escape proof

He has a hide which i purchased from the pet store, he just doesn't use it very much. It is one of the smallest hides they had... should i try a different hide???

Thanks

 

[Colin]

Its normal for them to get under the paper.. they love it so just leave him do it.
you can make a cheap hide from an upside down plant water dish with a piece cut out.
these can be disinfected if needed and washed easily. your snake sounds pretty normal to me..

 

[Gnome73]

the location of the hide might be to hot/cold for him try 2or3 hides at the hot end and cold end.
he might just be an active snake.
good luck with him

 

[sarah86]

Yeah i will add another hide down the other end and see if that helps. Its not like he is curled up under the paper he is fully moving around constantly underneath as well...

i will try another hide and see if that helps...

Thanks

 

[pete12]

how big is his enclosure?

 

[sarah86]

Attached is the enclosure i have him in.
estimated size: 30cm(L) x 20cm(W) x 25cm(H)
This is the enclosure that i bought him in. is this suitable. i have since put in a rock water bowl etc.
is this suitable or would you suggest somthing else?
Thanks

 

[ethan22]

My spotted same age and just lays under the paper towel,no need to worry he must feel safe under there.And will settle better if you dont disturb him.

 

[sarah86]

Hi Everyone
Thanks for your ideas!!
I have put another hide up the end where the warming mat is. (so now in his enclosure he has 1 rock hide and 1 rock water bowl down the cooler end, and another hide down the warmer end where the heating mat is) the temp down the warm end is 31 and the cooler is showing 30.

He is still extremely active. when i handle him he is always moving around and isnt snappy towards me at all. could he have mites?? i checked him last night and couldnt see any, but as i have never seen them i am not sure how small they are... would i be able to see them or do i need to get a magnifying glass???

Thanks!!

 

[Renagade]

put more air holes in the sides of the click clack. and a perch for him to sit on. paper towel is better than that substraight you are using IMO. i used toilet rolls as hides for that age. they love them and are repaceable. just squish on end closed.

 

[Joker]

He sounds pretty normal to me that's just how they are as hatchys, but don't use toilet paper rolls as they are scented use paper towel rolls as they are'nt scented.
Pete.