Black Friday Surprise

[SpencerShanks]

Alright guys, I've got a possible problem. I came home from a party about a half hour ago and stumbled upon my Christmas. My parents decided that they were going to get me a juvie ball python while I was away.

They used the tank that I already had. It is a 5 gallon to my knowledge, is glass on all sides with a screen lid. They also got some aspen bedding and spread about a half inch layer across the floor. They also bought a fake hanging plant that is in the corner. There is a small half log on the other side next to a small leaf shaped water dish.

They didn't get any real thermometers because the tank already had one of those stick on ones on it. There is no hygrometer because the lady that sold it to them (That apparently owns a BP herself) told her it wasn't that important. They also got a dual light housing along with a 26 watt Repti Glo 2.0 UVB full spectrum lamp and an All Living Things 50 watt UVA basking bulb. Right now I've only got the basking bulb on. It is about 6 inches away from the tank that the snake is in. I've also got two small UTH's that are available to use.

The snake is currently shedding, and is exploring the cage fairly actively.

Any tips on what to do for hopefully less than the next week or so? I haven't handled it, but apparently my two younger brothers have. What lights/ heat sources should I use, and is there anything I could use to make a cheap water bowl that is a bit larger so the snake could soak to help its shed?

Thanks in advance! And it may seem like I haven't done my research, but trust me, I have. I'm not sure how many times I've told my parents cage first, then snake, but I'm still glad that I've finally got an awesome BP (After two years of asking )

[thedarkwolf25]

Alright guys, I've got a possible problem. I came home from a party about a half hour ago and stumbled upon my Christmas. My parents decided that they were going to get me a juvie ball python while I was away.

They used the tank that I already had. It is a 5 gallon to my knowledge, is glass on all sides with a screen lid. They also got some aspen bedding and spread about a half inch layer across the floor. They also bought a fake hanging plant that is in the corner. There is a small half log on the other side next to a small leaf shaped water dish.

They didn't get any real thermometers because the tank already had one of those stick on ones on it. There is no hygrometer because the lady that sold it to them (That apparently owns a BP herself) told her it wasn't that important. They also got a dual light housing along with a 26 watt Repti Glo 2.0 UVB full spectrum lamp and an All Living Things 50 watt UVA basking bulb. Right now I've only got the basking bulb on. It is about 6 inches away from the tank that the snake is in. I've also got two small UTH's that are available to use.

The snake is currently shedding, and is exploring the cage fairly actively.

Any tips on what to do for hopefully less than the next week or so? I haven't handled it, but apparently my two younger brothers have. What lights/ heat sources should I use, and is there anything I could use to make a cheap water bowl that is a bit larger so the snake could soak to help its shed?

Thanks in advance! And it may seem like I haven't done my research, but trust me, I have. I'm not sure how many times I've told my parents cage first, then snake, but I'm still glad that I've finally got an awesome BP (After two years of asking )

Grats on your first BP (post some pics soon)! I would certainly get a Hyrgometer soon so you can measure the humidity. As for a water bowl most anything will do, just make sure that he can't tip it over and that he can fit most of his body in it.

[SpencerShanks]

Grats on your first BP (post some pics soon)! I would certainly get a Hyrgometer soon so you can measure the humidity. As for a water bowl most anything will do, just make sure that he can't tip it over and that he can fit most of his body in it.

Expect pics within the next few days I'm not sure exactly but I think that Koga (Also known as Koga-Kola ) has already made an attempt at shedding but still has a few bits and pieces left. He's got a few patches on his head, possibly both eye caps, and random splotches along his back. I'm only thinking this because he's already pretty dark, and there's just random patches of lighter, dead skin and my sister (who saw it in the store earlier) said that there were some pieces of shed around the cage.

I've gone ahead and gotten a small tupperware bowl (not too large) and filled it partway with water. I put it under the light. Also, the sticky thermometer showed the possibility of working for the first time in three years. It's almost up to 80*, which is higher than it was. But that's according to a 10 year old. I can't really get much of a temperature gradient because the tank is so small, but I've got the half log and water bowl under the light and on top of the UTH. He's chilling on top of the UTH between the log and the back styrofoam wall right now.

[chaoticstone]

Expect pics within the next few days I'm not sure exactly but I think that Koga (Also known as Koga-Kola ) has already made an attempt at shedding but still has a few bits and pieces left. He's got a few patches on his head, possibly both eye caps, and random splotches along his back. I'm only thinking this because he's already pretty dark, and there's just random patches of lighter, dead skin and my sister (who saw it in the store earlier) said that there was some pieces of shed around the cage.

I've gone ahead and gotten a small Tupperware bowl (not too large) and filled it partway with water. I put it under the light. Also, the sticky thermometer showed the possibility of working for the first time in three years. It's almost up to 80*, which is higher than it was. But that's according to a 10 year old. I can't really get much of a temperature gradient because the tank is so small, but I've got the half log and water bowl under the light and on top of the UTH. He's chilling on top of the UTH between the log and the back styrofoam wall right now.

Sounds like you might have an incomplete shed going, it might be a good idea for you to either soak him in the tub or sink. A lot of the times I let them soak while I'm cleaning cages out in a small Tupperware filled with wet paper towels. I also will do this when I see them go blue. If his pretty active it will take care of most of the shed. Hopefully you have the UTH hooked up to a thermostat or at least a rheostat to keep it from getting too hot. You should definitely get a better thermometer I would think having the Light and UTH on at the same time would heat that small of a tank up to much but you could live where it's extremely cold I guess.

[seeya205]

I would get rid of the lamp and just use the uth with a thermostat or dimmer. I would get a better hide, they usually don't like the half logs. You need a hide that is tight fitting and only has one opening. I would recoomend getting a digital therometer with a probe so you can measure the cool and warm side, also one that has a hydgrometer it. You are going to need a bigger tank like a 10 gallon. You should not handle at all for a week to let it settle and once he eats a few meals then you can handle him. Don't handle on feeding day and 48 hours after feeding. Here is a great caresheet that if you follow it, you will have one happy ball! http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

Congrats on your new pet!

[bsavage]

to help out with the shed, get him in a tub with some luke warm water, close it up(airholes!) and let him soak for 15-20 minutes. Than let him run himself through a wet cloth or towel to help get the shed pieces off of him. You can use anything as a water bowl, but something that is base heavy that he cant knock over is always better, and easier on you as you wont have to clean up spills as much.

as a heat source I would suggest a UTH for under the tank(make sure you get one of appropriate size, about 1/3 the size of the tank) as opposed to heat lights or ceramic heat emitters, as those can really mess with humidity, which he needs lots of. you can control this heat by getting a thermometre with a probe, and a rheostat(lamp dimmer) to control the UTH's heat output. attach the UTH with aluminum foil tape. make sure u life ur aquarium a bit of its base so there is room for the UTH to breath. hides for both sides are also a good idea so that he doesn't sacrifice thermo regulation for security. aspen is a good bedding but dont be afraid to use newspaper if your ever dead broke and cant afford the aspen

lastly, as a final suggestion, if you find that after you get a hygrometer that your having trouble keeping the humidty, head over to walmart, spend 9-15 dollars and get a sterlite/rubbermaid tub with a locking lid. These are the best enclosure's,as im sure you know because you've done your research , hold humidity well, cheap, easy to clean and usually really easy to find a place for as opposed to tank. yes, tanks look nicer, but in reality, tubs are where its at.

happy thanksgiving, merry christmas and i hope you enjoy your sick new bp!! first snake is always the closest to your heart

[SpencerShanks]

Thanks for the help guys I've only got the UTH on right now, and I'm planning on giving Koga a bath either today or tomorrow. Also, I'm going to go get some temp/humidity gauges and hopefully a rheostat later today. I'll try to persuade my mom to invest in another hide for the other side of the cage today.
Once again, thanks for all the help!