Needing some advice

[Greez1986]

I've been wanting to get a reptile of some sort and have been looking into different ones for about three months now. I couldn't really decide if I wanted a snake or not and if so what kind. I finally decided I would get a ball python in a few months and have been talking about it with my family/ friends to see what they thought. I remember talking to my cousin about getting a ball python since he has a few reptiles, and although he is younger then me has a large amount of random knowledge. He said that he had always wanted one but wasn't sure how my 1st cousins, he's parents would react. I had to leave shortly after our talk but I guess the idea to get one never left he's mind because he went out and bought one

I got the wonderful call from my cousin, swearing like a sailor and madder then I have ever seen her So, to make a painfully long conversation short I will be taking responsibility for the snake until my young cousin turns 18 and has he's own place. Although since he is only 12/13 It looks like I'll have the little snake for a long time. I have been researching them for a little while now and have read some of the things on this site like the care sheet which helped a lot.

Anyway My cousin told me the snake is a Het. Ghost morph. My cousin is letting me keep all his items for this snake which are:
60W heat bulb
heating pad
humidifier/ thermometer gauges
water bowl
two hiding places one a little smaller then the other
some decorations
and some random things to help keep and move prey and store equipment.

I'd like to know what else I may need or things that will help me keep this snake without incident. My cousin may think I was ready for this snake but I feel overwhelmed and could use some help.

[muddoc]

It sounds like you have all of the basics. I would say get the tank set up, give the snake about a week, and drop in a prey item. If it eats, then it is pretty comfortable in it's surroundigs. Print out a copy of the Care Sheet and refer to it often. After a few weeks, if you have some more specific questions, then ask those, as you are more likely to get responses that don't require a very long answer (I hope that didn't sound rude).

Lastly, know that Ball Pythons are one of the most forgiving reptiles for poor husbandry (that was my attempt at easing your overwhelmed feeling).

Good luck and it sounds like you have done a fair amount of educating before now, so I bet you'll be fine,

[bads15]

don't forget something to control the heat pad. they can get hot enough to burn your snake. you have the option of buying a thermostat (proper) or a dimmer switch (not as good but much better than nothing). you will also need something to check temps and humidity.
on the bright side ( no pun intended ) you will be able to get rid of the heat lamp. they will only dry out your enclosure making it next to impossible to retain enough humidity.
congratulations on the new ball. their very easy to keep once you understand what their requirements are.
john

[Vypyrz]

You will definitely need a thermostat to con trol the Under Tank Heater. What type of enclosure are you going to be using?...

You may want to make sure that you get digital humidity and temperature gauges. Most use the AccuRite brand. It has a probe and will measure temperatures and humidity. You can get it at Wal-Mart in the hardware section or Lowes, Home depot in the out doors section for about $12-$15 each...

[Greez1986]

You will definitely need a thermostat to con trol the Under Tank Heater. What type of enclosure are you going to be using?...

You may want to make sure that you get digital humidity and temperature gauges. Most use the AccuRite brand. It has a probe and will measure temperatures and humidity. You can get it at Wal-Mart in the hardware section or Lowes, Home depot in the out doors section for about $12-$15 each...

I was going to pick on up before the BP got here and I'm using a 20 long tank right now but have been reading a lot on tubs. I think I may buy one of those for him, right now I'm talking to someone about buying one.