i switched my ball python from a 10 gallon to a 20 gallon a month ago and he is never crawling around at night. In his old 10 gallon id always see him at night wrapped around a log or something. Now he just sits in his hiding place all night. He shedded yesterday right in his hiding place and then I started to get worrying about him never leaving his hiding place. i take him out like 2-3 times a week, and he eats every week so I dont think he is stressed. has anyone ever had a problem like this before?

how big is your ball? lol, as ive said before I dont know too much about snakes but I think he could be stressed over the extra space...they like to feel secure, so maybe the smaller enclosure was a better idea...if hes not too big for it..maybe you should consider getting another hide?

Its not really a problem earwig. About the only time mine come out of hiding is when they are hungry or want water. You said you switched him, can you fill us in on his current temps at both ends. They stay in their hides to feel secure. At night do you have lights on or off?

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

the snake is 20". the spot where he stays all the time is 80-85 degrees. the cooler side is 75. And I keep the humidity around 50-60 and I keep the lights off at night

I'm sure you've heard this before, but hot side temps should be in the 90-95 range. Your warm side is what your cool side should be at. I'd bump those temps up.

You should have a hot spot of 88-92 and an overall temp of about 82-84. At night the temps should drop to about 78-80. Maybe that is why your snake isnt roaming around as much.

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Josh Shrader

1.0 Ball Python (Monty)
0.1 Red-Eared Slider (Woody)
0.1 Yellow-Bellied Slider (Buz)

Here you go. This is an excerpt from our ball python care sheet which is available to all members.

The ideal ambient temperature of the tank should be maintained at 80-83 degrees. There should be a basking spot of 90 degrees and a cool spot with a temperature of 80.

Night time temperatures around 75-80 are acceptable.

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Fran
January 9, 1940 - June 1, 2006 (R.I.P)

okay, now im using a 100 watt bulb. Now all the temps in the basking spot is 87 and the cooler side is 80. and the night tempature is 75

Ball pythons particularly young ones are very shy snakes. Unless motivated by hunger or the need for a temperature change they pretty much stay put. In fact my male almost got the name "Rock" as that was pretty much his activity level! It sounds like the snake is just still settling in. You have just dramatically changed his living quarters. Treat him like he is new to your keeping. Give him bit more time and reduce the handling a bit till he is more comfortable with the new digs.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!