New Mom Needs Info

[BrunosMom]

I have had my new BP for about 2 months now but wonder if info I got previously was not good. Bruno seems happy and is starting his first shed but of course I am worried because this is my first snake. After looking through the forums I am not sure if his tank is set up correctly. I was told that he didn't need a heat lamp or anything like that. He is in a large glass tank with a log hideaway, large water bowl, aspen bedding and some driftwood. They told me not to worry about humidity or anything he will be fine but after research I don't think that is right. What else do I need to make him comfortable thru this shedding process. I put a heat lamp on the opposite side of the water and covered 3/4 of the tank with a damp towel to get the humidity up. I also misted him last night. If there is anything else I need to do or get please tell me. Bruno and I thank you for all your help!

[SRMD]

You need to get the humidity up to around 70-75% and i am sure he would be fine, i would suggest a heat mat with a thermostat.

Also make sure you get a digital hygrometer with probe and a thermometer with a probe or a temp gun

[Don]

Welcome to BP.net. Here is a great place to start with learning the proper environment for your baby: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

[grizzjr1]

I would highly recommend getting a hide that has only one entrance (the log hides are nice, but ball pythons like secure small areas, this will help with any stress) along with a heat mat and rheostat or thermostat controlling it. It is good to have an accurate way to measure humidity and temperature in the tank, I would recommend going to Walmart and picking up an Accu-rite thermometer/hydrogemeter combo, they are about $12 and are accurate. Good luck

Edit: Also, I was told that sphagnum moss is a great way to raise humidity.

[tatboy89]

I would highly recomend a Undertank heater (UTH) and a thermostat. And yes sphagnum moss is a great way to bump humidity. A small hide is a good idea snakes like small cramped areas to hide. A thermometer/hydrogemeter is a must you need to know the temp and percent of humidity in the tank. If you are lacking humidity your snake will most likely had a bad shed.

[Kaorte]

I am really glad you found our forum!

It is very common for new owners to come in here and ask for help with their setups. Many of them find that all of the things the pet store told them to buy are garbage. Those stick on thermometers and hygrometers are useless, Bps don't really like the log hides too much, and you absolutely need a heat source controlled by a thermostat.

All the suggestions that have been made are great. The Accurite thermometer/hygrometer combo is my thermometer of choice for standalone setups. Its cheap and measures everything you need in one place.

The heat lamp will be fine for raising your ambient temperatures, but it is strongly recommended that you use an under tank heater controlled by a thermostat. Thermostats are usually not sold in pet stores but you absolutely need to use one with an under tank heater. If you don't you risk burning or even cooking your snake.

The heat lamp will also dry up the humidity in the tank. If you can get away with using just an under tank heater, that is recommended. If the temperature in your home is below 75* then you probably need a secondary heat source.

Good luck with the first shed! Don't be worried if it doesn't come off in one piece, you can soak him after he tries to get as much skin off by himself as possible.

[BrunosMom]

I do have a UTH but not sure how to hook up a thermostat to it. (Sorry I am not very mechanically inclined ) I have also read about putting the water over the heater, if I do that won't it then cover up his heat source for him to go when he wants to warm up? I also keep my house cool at night so I am wondering if I should keep the red light on him? And lastly should the screening be covered part way to keep the humidity in or not necessary? I will be getting the thermometer/hygrometer and a new hide for him tomorrow. Thanks for being patient with me while I get correct info instead of what I got from petco.

[Kaorte]

Thankfully, a thermostat does not require you to be mechanically inclined. If you can plug something into the wall you can use a thermostat. The cheapest one I am aware of is the hydrofarm thermostat which is available on Amazon.com.

You can leave the red light on 24/7, it won't bother him.

You can also move only part of the water bowl over the heat source so he still has room to lay on the hot side.

If you are having humidity problems then covering the screen top a bit is a good idea.

Also make sure you get two identical hides so your snake doesn't have to choose safety over temperature.

[BrunosMom]

I put spaghnum moss in, a smaller hide and I put the water bowl a little over the UTH. I have seen pieces of shedded skin around the tank. There is some skin sticking up around his neck and last night he was very active roaming his tank. Is this the start of the process? It started about 2 days ago. How do you gauge how long before deciding to soak him? Again thanks for all your help and knowledge you can offer This is a great place to get the right info instead of trying to go it alone.

[Kaorte]

I put spaghnum moss in, a smaller hide and I put the water bowl a little over the UTH. I have seen pieces of shedded skin around the tank. There is some skin sticking up around his neck and last night he was very active roaming his tank. Is this the start of the process? It started about 2 days ago. How do you gauge how long before deciding to soak him? Again thanks for all your help and knowledge you can offer This is a great place to get the right info instead of trying to go it alone.

The shed should come off in one full piece, if it doesn't that means you have a bad shed. Time for a soak!