hello im new help?

[jacob985]

Hello i recently purchased my first ball python. He is a 9 month old normal male. It was not an impulse buy i did do my research(so don't jump on my case) and had a cage ready just need helpful advice to get started. Any advice?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Hi and welcome

Here is a good start for you

http://ball-pythons.net/modules/Sect...warticle&id=59

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=30763

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=56846

[Jay_Bunny]

First, what is your set up like?

Leave him alone for at least a week to allow him to get used to his new surroundings then you can begin trying to feed/handle him.

[illini4x4]

What type of advice are you looking for? Why don't you start off by telling us how your set up is? Are you using an aquarium? If so what kind of top? What are your humidity and temps at? Pics of the set up would be very helpful.

Basically make sure that you have the hot side and cool side. Hot side being around 90-93 and the cool side around 80-85.

If you are using an aquarium with a screen top you are going to want to cover the screen top in aluminum foil or plexi glass (leaving holes or enough space for air to get in). This will help keep your humidity around 50-60% which is right where it should be. If you are using lights it may be wise to switch to a heat mat or an under tank heater, this helps the snake digest and wont suck up your humidity as much.

Make sure you have two similar hides, one one the hot side and one on the cool side.
Of course make sure you have fresh water available to him at all times.

Other than that if you post some pics of your set up I'm sure we can give some pointers. Also let us know if you need any feeding advice.

This forum has tons of information so don't hesitate to ask any specific questions you have!

Also welcome to BP.net!! WHOOOO!!

[BallsUnlimited]

if your using an under tank heater make sure you run it off a thermostat. Keep the hot side at 88-92 and the cool side low 80s. Keep the humidity at around 50 60 percent if you can. Other than that dont handle it for the first week or so and make sure you have the hide on the hot side. If your using a tank with a screen lid cover the screen with tin fowl leave a small amount of the screen uncovered for air circulation and cover around the heat lamp. pretty much thats it. if its small feed every 5 days if its around 600 grams feed it a small rat every 7.

[jacob985]

he is only 20'' long so for now i him in a 10 gallon aquarium with a screen top, a hide box, water dish, a climing log, and heat lamp(i am switching to a under heat pad soon), i am also using news paper as a bottom liner.

[nitroball]

Sounds good, the only changes you should probably make are to cover the top of the screen (leave a little screen open for air, but not where he could escape) and get another hide for the cool side. Also, the more they have to stuff themselves into the hide, the better. They like snug, tight fitting hides, it makes them feel secure. The ten gallon enclosure is probably fine for now, too much "open space" can make them insecure.

Welcome to the forum and to the addicting world of ball pythons!!

[jacob985]

addicting is an under statment

[dsmalex97]

haha totally is.

Also, I would put these on your "to buy" list.

-Heat Pad or heat tape
(heat tape is great because you can buy one long piece and when your addiction kicks in again your ready for your new addition.)

-Thermostat- This controls the heat that is being emitted from the heat pad onto the surface you adhere it to. You set it to the desired temp, and once it reaches that point it will automatically turn itself off. Dimmers/Rheostats will only regulate the amount of power going to the source, not actually controlling what temp it is. So if your room is always changing temp, then technically so is your snakes hot spot. Just go with the thermostat, you can go to petsmart or petco and find one for like 40 or 50 bucks. They used to be non-existent in pet stores around me they just started stocking them so you should be fine as well.

-32qt sterilite tub-These are the new snake enclosure. Well not new, but to the newbie that is just getting to the hobby. Most people automatically thing to go with an aquarium, but they really are mostly trouble. If you are trying to create a display with the tank then go with it, just make sure you do your fair share of research on maintaining humidity levels, and keeping it escape proof. Anyway, tubs are nice because once you poke a bunch of holes in the tub(sides of tub) add aspen, connect your heat source, and add a hide and water dish your done haha. It will hold humidity fine when it comes time for shed time, and they are cheap to boot, so when your want more snakes again cheap is good. They are also escape proof...sweet!

-Aspen - best substrate in my opinion. Some say its too messy, but there crazy. It really isn't hard to clean. Maybe if you have an aquarium, but I still don't see their point. Great for holding humidity. Somewhat natural, and seems to be quite good at absorbing liquids. So if your snakes pees, or he spills his dish, you don't have a fish tank, or a smelly room. You could also go with newspaper, or paper towel, but in my opinion are less desirable. Its already a captive animal, at least make it somewhat natural lol. J/k all you paper towel heads. But it also is not too good at hiding nasty smells your snake leaves behind. Even if you are a good spot cleaner theres nothing like opening up your bedroom door to the smell of snake pee. mmm mmm mmm ahaha.

That should get you started for now. I'm telling you though make your snake, and your life easier with getting rid of that tank first. And purchase your heat pad and thermostat at the SAME time. Don't hook the heat pad up until you have something to control it. They can get up to like 125 degrees. You want 90. See the problem? Just don't take shortcuts and be patient. Don't try remedying the situation with half @$$ ideas.

and last but not least....


Good Luck to you and your snake, and welcome to the forum. There are a lot of awesome people on here with great help, and lots of knowledge. Got any questions this is where you go. Take Care!!