Finally getting my first ball. Have a few questions.

[nmalnar]

So I have been reading as much as I can here as well as collecting equipment to prepare for my first ball python. I have a 20l with a sliding mesh lid and I have 2 uth just not installed yet. I just found a 4 month old male jungle morph ball python online that the guy has to sell because his new apartment doesn't allow animals. IT comes with all the accessories as well as its 40 gallon tank, but from what I read babies shouldn't be housed in a large tank so should I switch him over to the 20l when I get him? Also I have been collecting equipment from the shopping list from the glass tank setup sticky on this site, would the aspen bedding be the ideal substrate or should I use the repti carpet only? Just looking for opinions because I want to make sure I have everything right before I take him home. Also for the day/night cycle the guide says to use a daylight and a blue night light can I use the compact flourescent bulbs in white and blue or is the blue still to bright?

[blackcrystal22]

First, welcome to the world of ball pythons!
What do you mean by Jungle Morph?

There are jungle pastels, but I wouldn't be too sure what you are getting here. I recommend buying from a breeder so you don't get any presents along with the animal (like mites or parasites or an RI). A 20L should be fine, but if the snake doesn't have tight hides (no logs) and is a baby, it may need to be switched to an even smaller enclosure.

For a 20L tank you probably would only need one UTH, unless your home is very cold and you need them both for the ambient temperatures. You'll also need a thermostat to control it's temperatures, or they will get too hot on their own. Also, I recommend taping the UTH to the underside of the enclosures instead of using the actual adhesive, so you can move it to another tank if you need to.
You will also need some thermometers to monitor the temps inside the enclosure. Digital ones with probes are best.
Aspen bedding is good. I personally don't recommend the carpet because it harbors bacteria. Paper towels and newspaper are also very good substrates.

Good luck!

[nmalnar]

Thats what I meant a jungle pastel ball. Ill have to setup the tank and measure temps first.

[seeya205]

If using the 20 long just put lots of stuff in the tank to make him feel secure! No lighting is required unless you need one to get your ambient temp up! I use a infered bulb during the winter months! Problem with lighting is that it sucks up your humidity. Also once you get it and set everything up then leave him alone for at least a week. No handling or feeding just check his water so he can get settled into his new home! Reptile carpet is the worst substrate. I use coco fibre but newspaper, paper towels, aspen and repibark are all good substrates, it's a personal choice! Make sure you use a digital thermometer and hydgrometer(for humidity) because they are the most acurrate! Good luck with your new pet!!!

[nmalnar]

The person I am getting him off of is giving me some hides and everything with the 40 gallon tank he is currently housed in but everyone agrees ot put him in the 20l instead of keeping him in the 40 correct? I have a brand new uth and a used one that came with the 20l I just traded for. is it best ot get a thermostat for the uth or just a rheostat and measure with a temp gun? Im going to look into the coco fiber, is that something I can just get and the pet store or is there a cheaper place? Should I get a piece of plexi than to cover up some of the mesh to help keep it humid?

[BPelizabeth]

Yes you will want to cover the mesh because you will loose humidity. I did not catch if you read the care sheet on here. If not I highly highly recommend it. It is an amazing source of information and covers just about everything having to deal with husbandry. If your humidity is not hitting 60% you can even move the water dish to the warm side.

Also make sure you read up on mites...just in case. The only reason I say this is because you just never know if the snake is not coming from a reputable breeder!!

I want to reiterate what someone else stated....make sure you have your 20 g tank filled up...as even 20 is still big for a baby...typically they are in a 10g.

I honestly have to say that the hardest part is not to handle the snake for at least a week. It was all I could do my first time!!

Well congrats and welcome to a life with BP's...warning it is very addictive!!

[j_h_smith]

Everyone seems to have covered the husbandry, so I won't add to that. But I think the most missed oppoortunity for the owner of an adoptive snakeis to ask the previous owner a few questions.

1. What is he feeding the snake? If he's feeding it large mice and you try rat pups, the snake may not eat causing you to stress.

2. When did he feed the snake? Some snakes like to be fed at a regular time and will not take prey as easily as when they are usually fed.

3. How many days between feedings? Some young snakes like to eat every 4-5 days, others eat every 7.

3. What temps did he keep the snake? Ideally we should all keep our snakes at the same temps, but some don't. If he kept the snake at room temperature (yes, it done all the time from people that don't know any better), putting him into a 92 degree tank could shock the snake into not eating.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[nmalnar]

All I know is he just started eating adult mice about a month ago, so I will ask the other questions. My thoughts on getting this snake instead of from a reputable dealer was the fact that this guy is trying to get rid of this snake so I felt it would be better to get it and give it a good home with instead of going to someone who wont take care of it or end up getting rid of it etc, where as getting it from a reputable breeder who is already taking good care of their snakes. I have a 10 gallon with a crack in the bottom but I assume if I just put enough stuff in the 20l he should be ok because he is currently in a 40 gallon at the guys house. As far as the care sheet goes I have read it as well as one on another site and I look at them constantly. Also, by not handling him for a week wont make him become aggresive at all would it? I am very new to snakes but I currently keep a spoiled bearded dragon who used to be cage aggressive when I first got him because from not being handled a lot where I got him but I can tell when hes upset but I might have trouble reading a snakes mood though, just worried cause I dont want to screw anything up haha.

[BPelizabeth]

All I know is he just started eating adult mice about a month ago, so I will ask the other questions. My thoughts on getting this snake instead of from a reputable dealer was the fact that this guy is trying to get rid of this snake so I felt it would be better to get it and give it a good home with instead of going to someone who wont take care of it or end up getting rid of it etc, where as getting it from a reputable breeder who is already taking good care of their snakes. I have a 10 gallon with a crack in the bottom but I assume if I just put enough stuff in the 20l he should be ok because he is currently in a 40 gallon at the guys house. As far as the care sheet goes I have read it as well as one on another site and I look at them constantly. Also, by not handling him for a week wont make him become aggresive at all would it? I am very new to snakes but I currently keep a spoiled bearded dragon who used to be cage aggressive when I first got him because from not being handled a lot where I got him but I can tell when hes upset but I might have trouble reading a snakes mood though, just worried cause I dont want to screw anything up haha.

I think what you are doing is awesome..I LOVE to here rescue stories!! They are the best and it sounds like you are really preparing.
Not handling him for a week will not make him more aggresive at all. Balls by nature are one of the more passive snakes and will typically (especially as babies) ball up. Hence the name. They are very head shy as this is their most vunerable area. The no handling for a week is to just give him time to become acustom to his new environment and settle down and they are prone to become stressed. With added stress it could lower their immune system. That is all.

It sounds to me like you are on a great track and I am so glad that other poster listed questions for you to ask.

[Jenn]

Don't worry about him becoming aggressive because you don't handle him for a week. I don't handle new snakes for three or four weeks. BP's aren't very aggressive as snakes go to begin with. That is not to say that you will never get bit. If you keep snakes for any length of time you probably will get bit sooner or later.

You will learn to read your snake. They are just like us in that they have good days and bad days. Also they all have different personalities. Some of mine wouldn't strike me if I was soaked in rodent urine. Others I keep an eye when I reach in.

Once your baby is in a smaller, more secure enclosure, with proper temps and humidity he may (at first) be a bit protective of his new home. Just remember he will be around for twenty or thirty years! You will no doubt become good friends.

Welcome to the site.