New snakies!

[shelliebear]

So today I bought two new ball pythons. They were only 30 dollars each. They're just normals and were unsexed, but they're gorgeous.
One is a baby (I mean, JUST hatched) and the other is about 3-4 months old. They look really good.
I think one is definitely a female. Nergal and the baby one I'm not sure about. (See my other thread about popping help: needed).
Shellie
Oh, and I bought a 40 gallon breeder tank for only $40 at Petco. Yes!

[Diesel32]

I hope your not keeping them in the same tank. It could really stress them out. They like to feel secure and one way by doing that is by them knowing there the only snake in their home besides when there breeding obviously.

[shelliebear]

they aren't in the same tank. 2 are in the 40 breeder, with 2 hides on the hot spot and cool end so they don't have to compete. Usually one is in each rock. The other snake is in a 20 gal long by himself. They're pretty small so the two in the breeder have a lot of space, and many hides to choose from.

[llovelace]

Congrats on the new additions shelly, but the 2 babies in the 40g tank is not a good idea. they should be in a smaller tank or tub, to reduce the risk of stress.

For now just keep them in individual 6qt tubs, with 1 hide 1 water dish.

[Maverick67]

Yes defiantly downsize their enclosures or section the one they are in to maybe 1/4 of the tank for each baby.

[rabernet]

That just hatched baby really needs to be in a six quart tub. Do you have any experience getting hatchlings started on their first meals?

[mpkeelee]

I hope your not keeping them in the same tank. It could really stress them out. They like to feel secure and one way by doing that is by them knowing there the only snake in their home besides when there breeding obviously.

they aren't in the same tank. 2 are in the 40 breeder, with 2 hides on the hot spot and cool end so they don't have to compete. Usually one is in each rock. The other snake is in a 20 gal long by himself. They're pretty small so the two in the breeder have a lot of space, and many hides to choose from.

ok so they are in the tank together. small snakes like that do not need a lot of space, they will get too stressed out? that tank is way too big. u need to start looking through the posts to find info on how to care for hatchlings, especially the one that JUST hatched.

[shelliebear]

The 20 gal is too big for the small baby? Dang it. Would a divider help?
I do have experience getting small ones to eat. :] My older brother's snake was about 1 month and a half old, and he wouldn't eat F/T and no one could figure out what to do, so I gave him live. He ate it right up.
I'm just struggling to understand where the median lies with the space, though. If 6 ball pythons in a 10 gallon is too many in too small of a space, what IS a right amount? The pet store had 6 of them in a tiny, tiny little drawer. I thought I was doing the baby a favor. I hope I didn't do more bad then good.
I guess I'm also confused because I thought the baby was pretty happy--he was cruising around his tank at first, and he found his hide quickly and stays there a lot, but sometimes pokes out for a stroll.
On the 6 qt tub, I know exactly where to get one, but does it need to be rectangular shaped, or does cube shaped work? I can move him right away.
Thanks lots for the help. I don't want to hurt my babies, but I didn't want them to be all squished up in that tiny pet store container, either. >:/

[AkHerps]

Alright, to help out if your keeping them in tanks. I divided my 20L a little smaller than perfectly in half. I created a section maybe 10x10 inch square for my baby to live in. Put two identical hides, a water dish, and a 3rd hide to make him feel really secure. Then as he has been aging I've moved the divider farther away, but now he is just in a 10 gallon and he is about 25 inches long.

His 10 gallon has a water dish, 2 hides, and a plant that suction cups to the glass to make it look more cluttered, but I plan on switching him over to a tub soon.

[mpkeelee]

look through the husbandry stickies, and search the forum for tubs, i used a tank once and ill never go back. a cruising BP is an unhappy or stressed BP. If you never see them its a good thing.