New to this, could use some advice

[Jacobs]

Hey there,

I have never had a ball python, or any other reptile for that matter, as a pet before and I have a few questions. First, when I mount the probes of my thermometers should I put the probe on the hot side directly over top of the heat pad directly on the glass or should it be mounted on the wall somewhere? Next, what should my temps on the hot and cold side be at night when the lights are off? Also, when and how should the snake be handled? I have my cage set up already and it's a critter cage 15 gallon with Aspen mulch as bedding and I put a half log on top of the heat pad and I put a water dish on the other side of the tank underneath the 100 watt infared light and I have a piece of driftwood in there which is good for climbing and a few fake plants. I have 1 thermometer probe on the glass on the heat pad and another with the probe on the opposite side of the tank about half way up the wall and I have a hygrometer on the glass closer to the bottom of the tank. I plannon getting the python as soon as I know I have my temps and humidity where they need to be, which will hopefully be soon with the help of you guys. Thanks in advance and if there is any advice about how I set my tank up, let me know.

[gardenfiend138]

The probe for the thermometer should be inside the cage, on the glass over the heat pad, under the substrate, and not taped down. The temps should be 90 hot 80 cool and don't need a drop at night. The only things I would change are getting a second hide for the cooler side, and a pack of moss to help with humidity, and to sorta stuff in half the opening of the hides to make them a little more secure. Good idea setting it up first then buying the snake! That right there means you're starting it off right. Lots more people will chime in and give you better advice than mine, though!

Edit- forgot to say you should get a dimmer/ rheostat/ thermostat for the heat mat as they get way too hot without one!

[Jacobs]

Yeah I have a saltwater reef tank so I understand the importance of doing your research and takin your time to do the nessicary things to ensure a happy healthy pet! And ok I will untape the thermometer probe as well as buy some moss because I am having trouble maintaining humidity, in stuck at around 45%. I will also get another hide for the cool side. How do I maintain an ambient temp of 80 at night if my heat lamp turns off? It drops down to abOut 70 at night...can the infared light be left on 24/7? Also I do have a dimmer for both the heat pad and heat lamp. Thanks

[kitedemon]

There are a lot of humidity fixes if you do a search most involve partially covering the lid and using a water retaining substrate moss isn't usually used as it is too wet, cyprus chips or coco coir (eco earth) will also work (most hydroponic stores carry coco coir that is 100 natural with no additives) I'll second the thermostat a rheostat works well if you have very stable room temps (1-2 degrees changes no more) a on off T-stats (Johnson, Ranco, hydrofarm) will work well in a glass tank (there is a lot of debate around this I am passing along my opinion it isn't the only one) with semi stable room temps but they don't handle large temp swings and thin materials well. The porportional type (herpstat, Helix, VE, ecozone) will handle any type of material and extreme temp changes (and just about everything else). The price is as you might expect a rheostat for under 20$ a good on off 30-70$ and proportional 100+. Personally I'd recommend a porportional one as it simply is the most flexible type.

Read some care sheets, not just one as there are as many poor ones and there are good ones. I like

http://www.vpi.com/publications/the_...hon_care_sheet
http://www.theurbanpython.com/caring-ball-python
http://www.ballpython.ca/care.html
http://www.reptileknowledge.com/care/snakes.php

There are a number of good books out there as well the reptile knowlege one is good and the VPI ball python is the best out there but as it is a large size hardcover the price is what you would expect ($75) It is a great book well written researched and illustrated.

An Ir light can be left on 24/7 although it will drop the humidity some as well, good t-stat will solve the need for the light.

I hope that helps and welcome!
Alex