I'm getting a Ball Python and Need some Advice Please!

[eblck999]

Hi

I'm thinking about getting a ball python and need to know what all I really need.

1.)I have a 40 gallon tank. Do I need to upgrade? It's going to be a baby but I hear they grow fast and I'm getting a male. (from pet smart)

2.)I hear different stories about the heating pads. Are they good?

3.)The humidity. I don't really understand how I control this. Can someone please explain it to me?

4.)I have pretty much got the whole bedding thing down but can I use mulch?

5.)When feeding do I hold the mouse by the tail and feed the snake? I saw a video were someone was using what looked like tongues.

6.)Handling. I hear your not suppose to do it after you get the snake so that it can get to know its home first. Is this true. Do I have to wait like three days after I get it before handling.

7.)As far as the set up what all is need inside and out side of the cage. I don't have a money issue so please just tell me what all I need.

Thanks a lot for all that respond!!

[FatBoy]

Hi

I'm thinking about getting a ball python and need to know what all I really need.

1.)I have a 40 gallon tank. Do I need to upgrade? It's going to be a baby but I hear they grow fast and I'm getting a male. (from pet smart)

2.)I hear different stories about the heating pads. Are they good?

3.)The humidity. I don't really understand how I control this. Can someone please explain it to me?

4.)I have pretty much got the whole bedding thing down but can I use mulch?

5.)When feeding do I hold the mouse by the tail and feed the snake? I saw a video were someone was using what looked like tongues.

6.)Handling. I hear your not suppose to do it after you get the snake so that it can get to know its home first. Is this true. Do I have to wait like three days after I get it before handling.

7.)As far as the set up what all is need inside and out side of the cage. I don't have a money issue so please just tell me what all I need.

Thanks a lot for all that respond!!

Just my opinions...
1) I think you need to get a much smaller tank for now (10gal) Once he is an adult he will be ok in a 40gal as long as it is cluttered up a bit. BPs dont like big spaces, they want to be cramped a little.

2)You need an under tank heater, they make them appropriatly sized for the size tank you have. With the 40 I would suggest 2, one on one side for a 40 and on the other side one for maybe a 10. You will also need a Tstat to control the heat.

3)Heat lamps kill humidity, you are always better off if you can control temps from the UTH. Covering 3/4 of the screen top will help hold humidity as well. Misting a couple times a day will help. Get a thermometor with a digital humidity reading, too high humidity can be as bad as too low.

4)Yes...that will also help if you are having humidity problems. Mulch, aspen, newspaper, that overpriced pet store bedding will all work. STAY AWAY FROM PINE AND CEDAR.

5)I use tongs, I hold the rat by the scruff of the neck so the snake can get a good strike. Always monitor the strike and coil until you know the rat is unconcenious...so he wont bite your snake.

6)My rule of thumb is a week. Put him in his new home, observe him regularly to make any nessacary adjustments but no feeding or handeling for a week.

7)Big water dish, 2 identcal hides one on warm side one on cool side, Tstat, thermometor w/ humidity reading, I would cover 3 sides of his tank with cork board (this will help with heat and security) UTH, snake!!

On a personal note...I would reconsider getting my new snake from pet smart and buy from a breeder, you are more likely to get a healthier, well started snake. Also keep in mind, most BPs will hide during the day and cruise their tanks at night... A hidden snake is a happy snake. I would also suggest feeding in the late afternoon hours.

Hope this helps.

[steveboos]

Alright first off congradulations on deciding to get a ball python. The Gallon is way too big for a baby, use a 12 qt sterilite tub or a 10 gallon for now. You control the humidity by using a sterilite tub or by covering the open screen on your tank with a danp towel or foil. Heating is done by using a heating pad (either zoomed, flexwatt, or ultratherm) and a thermostat or rheostat to control it.

When feeding hold the mouse by the tail or scruff (extra skin of the back of the neck) and hold while doing a dance if the prey is dead. Use Aspen or Cypress for the bedding, not regular outdoors mulch as it has cedar remains and bacteria.

Don't hold the snake for a WEEK, then you can hold him all you want to.

[FatBoy]

Steve is right...when I think ball python and mulch I automaticly think cypress. I should have specified that.

[Kaorte]

My biggest recommendation is to NOT get the snake from petsmart. They are often unhealthy and extremely over priced. I am sure you could find a good breeder in your area who could sell you a normal male for around $30. If you go with a trusted breeder, you are guaranteed a healthy animal.

[steveboos]

My biggest recommendation is to NOT get the snake from petsmart. They are often unhealthy and extremely over priced. I am sure you could find a good breeder in your area who could sell you a normal male for around $30. If you go with a trusted breeder, you are guaranteed a healthy animal.

Yeah i should have commented on that. Even though the ball pythons we have at our store are nice and healthy, the sad truth is the one we currently have is Captive Hatched and not eating at all. We've only had him a month, but unfortunately we can only feed F/T and i think this guy wants live, but i digress.

Buy your ball python from a local breeder or send rabernet a pm on here, i think she lives around you so she might be able to point you in the right direction. That way you wont have any problems and honestly most good breeders warrant their snakes for weeks or even months.

[justinsane82]

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

Could've just done a bit of reading.

[Vypyrz]

5.)When feeding do I hold the mouse by the tail and feed the snake? I saw a video were someone was using what looked like tongues.

I definitely recommend some type of tongs for 2 reasons:

1) It keeps the snake from mistaking the heat signature of your hand as prey.

2) If you are feeding live, holding a frantic and angry rat by the tail might just get you bit on the hand, which hurts far worse than a BP bite...

[FatBoy]

2) if you are feeding live, holding a frantic and angry rat by the tail might just get you bit on the hand, which hurts far worse than a bp bite...

Amen to that!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WaRocker]

I would only have to add to the advise above is to have your tank , heating , lighting etc all set up for a few days so you can see how the heat and humidity is. I now sometimes that is rough but if you have your housing set up before you have the snake then you will take out the stress you may have if you did it all right.
Also as far as holding your snake. I usually when picking up a snake from anyone weather it was shipped or I bought it. I check out the eyes, vent , heat pits , around the mouth (for either signs of rot or mites). I really give the snake a once over before I let them alone for the 1 week alone in a tank/tub. This way all the stress is all in one day then a nice rest.

Enjoy your new addiction