Newbie with some questions

[Amelydia]

I'm looking at getting a Ball Python but had some questions first.

I'm getting a 20gal long tank my sister used to have her red tailed boa in and will probably be using shredded aspen for bedding, but may move to astro turf later. Can a BP stay in a 20 gal long its whole live?

I'm a little confused about how feeding works, I've read its better to move the snake to a different box for feeding so it doesn't assume everything that reaches into the tank is food. Then I read that you aren't supposed to handle the snake for a couple days after feeding it, so does this mean that I should feed the snake and then give it like 30 min to digest and then put it in the tank and leave him alone?

I feel like I have more questions but I can't think of them right now, so any tips would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Also for feeding how often should a young BP be fed? One mouse every 5-ish days? I don't want to fast track the growth rate because I've heard that can shorten their lifespans.

[bsash]

If you are thinking of getting a ball python, that is great, and I hope you enjoy it when you do get it. Just make sure you have everything set up and ready to go before you get your snake.

Thinks you will need:
Enclosure
Substrate
Under the tank heat mat
Thermostat
Clean spray bottle
Two tight fitting hides with one entry hole
Water dish
Digital temperature/humidity gauge
*Decorations are optional

Ball python husbandry:
Ambient air temperature: 78-85 degrees
Cool side: 78-85 degrees
Hot side: 90-93 degrees
Humidity: 50-60% regularly- 60-70% when in shed.

Here is an example of one of my set-ups:


Now to answer your questions, no, a ball python can not live it's whole life in a 20 long gallon, but you would get good use out of it for a year to a year and a half if you got a baby ball python. Either of the two substrates you have mentioned would be fine, both aspen and astro turf are recommended. I prefer Eco-Earth expandable substrate over others, but that is my preference and you can choose what you like best. As for feeding, you do not have to feed in a separate enclosure, it is not recommended as it can stress the snake out and cause it to not eat. Feeding a ball python in a separate enclosure is not necessary as they are not typically cage aggressive. Once you have fed the snake, leave it alone for 24-48 hours to have time to digest. Baby ball pythons typically eat every 5-7 days, most people start them off on mice and switch them to rats as it is easier to feed one appropriately sized rat rather than multiple mice to equal one rat. Adult ball pythons typically eat every 7-14 days depending on the snake, some adults may also go on long fasts during the year, but this is uncommon for babies.

[PghBall]

To add to what bsash already stated, Make sure you cover the lid to the tank (I'm assuming it is screen) with foil as it will help greatly with keeping the humidity levels where you want them. You will also want to cover three sides of the tank with a dark construction paper or some other covering to give the snake more security. Our 800+ Gram male is currently in a 20 gallon long tank and we feed him in said tank. He eats one small rat every 7 days unless he goes off feed (which he did for 3 months this past winter). I also use shredded aspen as bedding.

[theartofsolitude]

20 gals for a baby ball python would be big though.. try starting from 10gals.. they are relatively cheap or buy a 18qt sterilite which is cheaper and holds humidity very well. keep the 20gals till it gets bigger.

bigger tanks will tend to increase the stress the snake would be experiencing. have fun with your new hobby.

I'll give you some words of caution though, this hobby is addicting! you start with 1 snake and weeks later, you want more!

[bsash]

A 20 long gallon would be okay, but you would need decorations to clutter it up a little bit. They like tight spaces to feel secure, and to not be seen all to well when they do come out.

[Amelydia]

Thanks for the help guys! I got my ball python today, I'm going to have to switch him over to f/t but he's still really young.

Where can I get a dimmer switch at, right now I just have the UTH but everything keeps saying I need a thermostat or at least a dimmer switch. I also need to fill out the habitat with more stuff, right now he's got a water dish and 2 hides, can I just get some plants from the Dollar store or do they need to be made for reptiles? Also do snakes need to be handled often, obviously not after they've eaten, but if I don't take him out for a couple days its not going to hurt anything is it?

Again thank you.

[alexOATH]

You can get a dimmer switch at Walmart or any hardware store (such as Home Depot), here's a thread for a DIY Rheostat using a dimmer switch to control the heat output from the UTH:

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...r-temp-control

I get almost all my fake plants from the dollar store so they should be fine. I do however soak all my new plants in a mild bleach solution and then rinse them off and air dry before they go in the tank.

As far as handling since its a Ball Python there shouldn't be an issue if you dont handle him for a while and then decide to take him out. Balls arent' typically very aggressive.

[L.West]

If you buy the fake greenery from a craft store - just be careful that they don't have that fine wire in them - that can injure your snake and possibly poke its eye out.

I would go to a pet store and buy reptile specific plants - much safer in my opinion.

Bp's don't really like to be held at all - so if you were to leave him alone for any length of time it wouldn't matter to him/her at all - handling is purely for your enjoyment not the snakes.

The common saying is "if your bp is hiding in his hide - then he is a happy bp" - if he is roaming around then something isn't right with his setup.

Congrats on your new bp - enjoy!!!

[CeeJay]

Just make sure you disinfect that tank pretty good. RTB have been know to carry a disease lethal to BPs.