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I am a first time snake owner and I have a ball. THe past few days it has been acting really strange. It did't leave its hide box at all 2 days ago and I thought that it was gonna do the same yesterday. I actually lifted up the box and moved it to make sure that it didn't die. I then put the box back down and he hasn't gone back in. Are there any reasons why it might be acting like this? Any tips that might perk it up? Some one told me to maybe try giving it a soak for a bit cuz it might be dehydrated. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Zak

chances are it's just going into shed...mine do that when they are. Check and see if it looks faded/eyes are clouded over. Also, make sure the temps are right (upper 80's with a mid 90's hot spot) and if he is cloudy, increase humidity a bit and wait for his shed.

Chris
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1.2.0 Black Rats- Robert, Cady, Kylie
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0.0.1 Savannah Monitor-Izzy

The shed is what I was thinking of too. He has just been lathargic and for the past 2 days didn't even use his hide. I am probably gonna get him another hide tomarrow for the other side of the tank.

make sure its got a hot spot between 88 degrees and 92, and you should consider the heat transfer from the heat source to the hide box, and you might want to put a hide box in a cool spot and a hot spot. and yes, a soak might help. hope your python gets better.

There is absolutely no way to tell what if anything is wrong with your snake by the description you gave. What do you mean by "he's been acting really strange?"

Most balls don't spend a great deal of time outside their hide - except to eat, relieve themselves and occasional exploration. Depending on his age and especially this time of year if he's in there for the next month or four it wouldn't be much of a suprise. Has he eaten lately?

First, make sure he's responsive to handling and not making any wierd nosies, check him over make sure there aren't any injuries or other apparent maladies then make sure his temps are good on the hot and cool side - make sure he gets fresh water daily.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

He ate about 5 days ago. Also he is prob only a few months old. Just like I said before, the past 2 days he hasn't even used his hide. He kinda curled up by these leaves. I have the ambient in the tank at 80 and his hot spot is right around 90 or 92. He seemed to perk up a bit after the soak, but wasn't being as responsive when being handled.