New to the world of ball pythons HELP!!

[Jessica Porter]

Well I went to a yard sale and found a poor little almost 3 ft ball python male. He is just fine but know I need to know what to do with him. Today we picked up a 55 gal tank with a lid two lamps with one day and one night bulb. He has a cardboard hide house and a plastic water bowl that's big enough for him to lay in. And he is in aspen bedding. And he is eating just fine on dead med size rats.

So can someone help me with the little snake we have called George.

Thanks

[cmack91]

1. get something to control the lamps, 82 on the cool end, 92 on the hot end, put a hide on both ends

2. cover the lid with either foil or wax paper with holes for ventilation, this will help to keep humidity around 50-60%(you'll have to spray to keep it up) and put it to 70% during shed, you can use an acurite thermo/hygro to get readings

3. they dont actually need day/night cycles, but they cant have constant bright light

and please post some pics for us

[RestlessRobie]

I would start here it explains a lot then ask all the questions you want.
As the care sheet says your going to need a Tstat and Under Tank Heater.
Another hide and well I would read the care sheet

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...thon-CARESHEET

[kitedemon]

Hello and welcome. The first thing is you have asked a monster question and you might get much more useful information if you narrow the scope a bit. I'd start with reading some care sheets there are a number of great ones out there.

http://www.vpi.com/publications/the_...hon_care_sheet
http://www.ballpython.ca/care.html
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

To start there is lots of conflicting info out there so read a few and compare them.

That should help you to narrow your questions some.
Welcome!

[Jessica Porter]

Ok so I don't need the day bulb if I have a light or the drapes open then. Or would it be better to keep the day one and take back the night one? I'll post pics later I'm on my iPad and it won't let me.

How can I do the humidity.

And what is the best bedding. I've heard a lot of mixed things.

[cmack91]

Ok so I don't need the day bulb if I have a light or the drapes open then. Or would it be better to keep the day one and take back the night one? I'll post pics later I'm on my iPad and it won't let me.

How can I do the humidity.

And what is the best bedding. I've heard a lot of mixed things.

if i were you, i would get ceramic heat emiters, you can leave them on 24/7 and not have to worry about light, the ambient light in the room is more than enough.

for humidity, get a hygrometer, acurite sells indoor/outdoor thermometers with hygrometer included, that way you'll be able to measure both sides, and the humidity in one console with a probe, heres one example:

as for bedding, aspen is fine and i would say is what most people use if they dont use newspaper, i use coco.

[jjmitchell]

The aspen you are using is actually great for substrate, If you are worried about humidity, ditch the lamps and use a under the tank heater, you will need something to control the temperature, but something as simple as a dimmer switch will work. Also cover the screen top and move the water bowl to the hot side these things will help your humidity.... If he is heating good that is great good he is in hands of a responsible enough owner to do some research

[Jessica Porter]

Ok well I have the thermometers and the humidity things so were good there. and I ordered him a humity hide bowl it just hasn't come yet.

Um how do i add photos?

[Jessica Porter]

O ya he loves the under heater and it is not to hot at all I check it all the time. so I can get rid of the day lamp thats good.



Going to see if this pic works

[Jessica Porter]

Here is our set up. I would love some pointers to fill this home with things for him to climb and to have a very happy life.

This one is him in his new home tonight. He just loves to climb

Nothing to do with George but my baby girl is just funny

My 7 year old playing around with George.

and just another pic of him all curled up