Thanks for all the info

[alucard0822]

I recently got back into snakes after 15 years, and this site was the best source of info for me to ensure my new buddy has all she needs, I lurked and read, but figured I would join here and USARK and post a little. The last snake I had was a captive hatched-import baby 15 years ago, had health issues from day 1, and after a lot off time, effort and money he passed after a year despite the help of a couple knowledgeable herpers. I raised a dog, cats, fish, a beardie, and a kid since then, but always wanted another ball python. I setup a zoo med 36x18x18 in my home office(quiet, but where I spend a lot of time), big water dish, placed cork bark hides throughout, cypress mulch, decorations to help enclose it, closed in most of the top with translucent panels, ran a pair of 2x bulb fixtures with day/night on timers and blacklight/CHE on a thermostat, along with a UTH on another thermostat. For a backup enclosure for maintenance or travel(was planning on buying her from a show nearly 2 hours away) I built a portable Rubbermaid tub setup with foam insulation, and a heater pad I could plug in. Spent a couple weeks getting the temps and humidity dialed in, and working out the bugs so it basically maintains itself before heading to the reptile show. Picked up a beautiful year old female bumblebee enchi last Saturday, she took a F/T small rat Monday night, and have been happy watching her, especially under the black lights at night when she is active. I only handled her a couple short times when placing her in the cage and sunday, and she is a sweetheart, explored and moved around more confidently than I thought she would, left her alone since then so she was secure enough to eat and digest. I don't see myself breeding her or putting in a rack system anytime soon, but she does make for a beautiful pet I can't wait to see grow to her potential.

[goddessbaby]

Welcome! I'm in a similar position, getting back in after about 10-13 years or so and I've found this site to be more than helpful while getting me prepared also. I will be picking up on Saturday. Your new addition is gorgeous and I look forward to seeing her grow!

[Vypyrz]

Hello, and to BP.net. Great job on getting the research and preparations done in advance. That's a nice looking tank set-up that you have.

[alucard0822]

Thanks, I gained experience and some gear from my wife's Beardie, raised it for a couple years to a big beautiful adult, and wouldn't have let her go, but the science teacher at my wife's Elementary school wanted a good classroom pet, and our beardie is a sweetheart, and would be good for kids first experience with a reptile. The teacher is knowledgeable, has equipment for her, wanted to breed beardies, we could visit anytime, and It basically opened the door for me to get back into snakes, so we agreed, but it was tough. I got spoiled with thermostats and timers, so tried to automate as much of the new Python's environment as I could. I know the drawbacks to a glass tank, but really wanted a nice open display tank instead of a tub, or even a plastic tank, so knew I would have to work to keep heat and humidity in. It has an insulating foam background, and I added foam underneath which helps. Winter here has been cold and dry as usual, was tough to keep humidity up despite a whole house humidifier, so I ran a Reptifogger to a humidistat. Warm side, cool side, black lights, CHE's and UTH are on thermostats, display lights on timers. I just have to clean, water and feed her, like the beardie tank before, once setup it practically runs itself, so if I get stuck out of town for a few days my pets won't suffer.

[AlexisFitzy]

Welcome to bp.net and welcome back into the world of bps! Your enchi bee is gorgeous thanks so much for sharing. We are glad your here.