New ball python, need some knowlegde.

[Barney]

Okay so I just got today my first ever ball python, she's really beautiful and the old owner gave me the vivarium with the snake. One problem though, the enclosure is kinda filthy and it really needs to be cleaned. The condition of the vivarium is okay and all but yeah, it's just really dirty. Tomorrow I'll be driving to the store to get a container to put the snake in for when I clean everything and also I'll definately need a new mat. Now I have some questions though. I haven't tried to handle the snake yet because I'm not aware weather I should wait or not. Would it normally be okay if I would try to move the snake tomorrow to clean the enclosure? Another question, should I watch out for any signs or symptoms of certain conditions the snake may have because he's been inside a dirty enclosure for a while?

I may have more questions after but I'll let you guys answer these for now!

Thanks in advance!

[Timelugia]

Usually its not recommended to handle the snake for a few days while it settles in, but if the tank hasn't been cleaned in a while its probably important to get on that. As for symptoms the only one I can think of is maybe mites? I don't know too much about that.

[das_nooblet]

Make sure you do not use ay regular household cleaners, as they contain oils harmful to reptiles.

The trusted pet store I go to regularly recommended a 5% vinegar solution for cleaning, which my local herp vet agreed works.

I have also seen reptile-safe cleaners in most pet stores, though those more experienced here would be better able to recommend one over the other.


Congrats on the new ball

[Barney]

Unless someone strongly advises me not to, I've pretty much decided that tomorrow afternoon I will try to take her out of the enclosure and put her in another container while I do a thorough cleaning of the whole thing. I'm also gonna throw out the old mat (it smells so bad) and switch to a substrate setup. Before I do all that, I'll go do some shopping at the pet shop because the enclosure is really boring right now, it only has a mat, an upside down plastic container with a hole cut in it as a doorway and a glass water bowl. I also need to get a heating lamp because the owner didn't give me one since he had his whole room heated. Can't wait to pick out all that good stuff that I'm going to use to pimp out the vivarium, I'll post pictures when everything is done.

I do have some questions though, first, how will the snake respond if tomorrow I try to pick her up and she doesn't want to be handled? (considering I haven't had her in my place for more than 24 hours)
Secondly, what kind of substrate should I use? If I have no response on this one I'll probably do a bit of research and also ask the people at the pet shop.

In normal circumstances I would do the recommended thing and wait a few days to try and pick her up but right now the enclosure smells (probably because of the mat) and also the glass is really dirty. Even the screen on top is disgusting for some reason.

Thanks!

[Billy29]

I like cypress mulch for substrate. It hold moisture and is mold resistant.

As far as handling goes, every snake is a individual just keep the snakes head away from you just in case it tries to strike. Most ball pythons are very mellow and won't.

I would say cleaning the enclosure is important so I wouldn't hesitate to put the snake in a tub for a little while. Just make sure the top is secure.


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[JoshSloane]

Is there a under tank heater attached to the viv? If not I would just take the tank, put it in the bathtub and scrub that thing with a sponge and some very mild dish soap, that doesn't have any added fragrances to it. Normally its standard to not disturb the snake for a few days when switching environments for it. Were you not able to hold the snake before you purchased it? How are you regulating temperatures? A picture or detailed description of your setup would help us get you on track with basic husbandry. Its incredibly important to know what all of your temps are.

[Barney]

I need to investigate if the under tank heater is removable or not, if it is, I'll use your method definately. Yes I was able to hold her but since it was in a different house, I was just worried about handling her too soon after moving her. About temperatures, right after waking up tomorrow I'm going to the store to buy all the necessities. It's a big store so I should be able to but if I can't find all the optimal things then I'll adapt but mostly -in the temperature/humidity departement- I'll be looking for a thermostat, thermometer, new undertank heating pad, hygrometer and a heating lamp.

Like I said before the previous owner kept a whole room heated so he didn't have a heating lamp to give me and when I went and bought the snake from him, stores were closed so yeah I didn't have any choice but to wait until tomorrow to get all the temperatures stuff. And anyway it's not even gonna be that colder than usual because my room is kind of hot right now. As soon as everything is installed I'll take a picture to show the terrarium as a whole and the temparature regulation setup.

[JoshSloane]

So it sounds like you might not need both the heating pad and the heat lamp. With warm ambient temps in your room, I would only use a heating pad, you don't want to overheat the snake. Honestly you don't need a thermostat, however you do need a way to regulate the heat output from the pad. The easiest option is to pickup a lamp dimmer from any hardware store. The pad plugs into the pad and you can modulate up and down how much heat is put out. Instead of a thermostat, I would purchase an infrared heat gun to be able to accurately know what the temps are in your cage.

[JoshSloane]

Also, don't remove the undertank heater if it's stuck on. I only put tanks in the tub if it has no electrical components attached.

[Barney]

Good idea on the heat gun. About the ambient temp though, it's not always hot, I live in Canada and it's the summer right now and today was a fairly hot day but yeah that definately won't be constant so I'll probably end up getting a lamp and just try to control the temp inside the enclosure.

Would it be a good idea to get two lamp dimmers maybe? One for the heat lamp and one for the pad?