Soon To Be Owner-- Am I Ready?

[reptilover22]

Hi,

I have been interested in ball pythons for the longest time but more recently have been researching their care, personality, etc. extensively. I am knowledgeable in their care and their needs and have considered as such to whether one would be right for me or not. I have decided that it is, and have looked into several different places who sell them. I have decided to buy mine from the reptile chain located in a few places near my home. They are very well educated on all the animals they produce and take care of them well. They have five babies in right now which are well started and healthy and pretty tame. I have handled their larger adults to be sure I will be able to handle an adult adequately and no, I'm not afraid or queasy about giving mice and rats as food.

Now just to make sure, here is all of what I will have (I have nearly all of it but still need to get a few things from the list):

-Terrarium: 36 x 18 x 12 with a screen top that locks on both sides
-Hides: half log, box hide, cork flats
-Bedding: cypress mulch about an inch deep
-Foliage, etc.: two small fake plants, fake leaves, a few fake flowers for color, medium sized branch, New Zealand Sphagnum Moss, and some sterile rocks and pebbles
-Bowl: sturdy water bowl deep enough for soaking, shallow enough so he won't drown, and smooth enough on the edges so he won't hurt himself climbing in/out
-Food: small fuzzy mice (this is what I've been told they're being fed on now, b/c they're not too big around yet)
-Heating: 75 watt bulb in a large reflector dome with clips that I'm going to try out first and make sure temps are right
-Temp/Humidity Regulator: Vivarium Electronics Digital Thermometer/Hygrometer
-Animal: single male baby normal ball python

Anything I'm missing? Thanks for your help.

[stickyalvinroll]

More than ready. I would take out the bulb tho, they don't need it. Get a under the tank heat pad instead

[auraria]

More than ready. I would take out the bulb tho, they don't need it. Get a under the tank heat pad instead

This. definitely get a UTH that's slightly less than half as long as the tank!
Heat bulbs would be switching on and off and stress the snake and not heat the hot hide floor temp correctly.

[PitOnTheProwl]

More than ready. I would take out the bulb tho, they don't need it. Get a under the tank heat pad instead

and don't forget a thermostat.

Much of what you have listed is not needed.
You will need aluminum foil to cover that screen top and hold in some humidity...

[LittleTreeGuy]

Hi,

Now just to make sure, here is all of what I will have (I have nearly all of it but still need to get a few things from the list):

-Terrarium: 36 x 18 x 12 with a screen top that locks on both sides This is as decent size. The screen top will need to be covered with foil as Pit mentioned in order to keep humidity in. once you add heat, the humidity will start to drop unless this is covered and sealed.
-Hides: half log, box hide, cork flats The logs don't really provide much security for bp's. You'd be better off getting two identical hides, just big enough for your bp to fit into, and without a bottom, so it can be lifted off to get to your bp if/when needed. You can even make these yourself out of empty butter-bowls or plant saucers until you can purchase them somewhere. The ones from Reptile basics are very nice if you want to check those out.
-Bedding: cypress mulch about an inch deep
-Foliage, etc.: two small fake plants, fake leaves, a few fake flowers for color, medium sized branch, New Zealand Sphagnum Moss, and some sterile rocks and pebbles
-Bowl: sturdy water bowl deep enough for soaking, shallow enough so he won't drown, and smooth enough on the edges so he won't hurt himself climbing in/out
-Food: small fuzzy mice (this is what I've been told they're being fed on now, b/c they're not too big around yet) Most BP's right out of the egg can handle a hopper mouse. If they have had a few fuzzies already, I would move them to hopper's as soon as you get them. They will likely only be on hoppers for a month or so and then be ready to move up in prey size again.
-Heating: 75 watt bulb in a large reflector dome with clips that I'm going to try out first and make sure temps are right Do you mean a CHE bulb? That would be a good source of heat to raise your ambient temperatures. You will also likely need a UTH (as mentioned above for belly heat). The CHE MIGHT be enough, but I would set it all up and let it run for a few days to make sure it maintains.
-Temp/Humidity Regulator: Vivarium Electronics Digital Thermometer/Hygrometer
-Animal: single male baby normal ball python

Anything I'm missing? Thanks for your help.

As mentioned in the previous replies, you are missing a thermostat. This is different than a thermometer. The thermostat will regulate your heat to make sure you don't cook your snake. It's probably the single most important piece of hardware in your setup.

[Andylee11]

For a glass cage in a bedroom I'd keep the bulb on a dimmer for ambient temps, unless the room is kept warmer then the normal household temps will suck up the humidity tho . ... Just a thought .

[chrid16371]

As stated a thermostat is a must have. That should be your first purchase, you can't keep a bp or any reptile without one. If you have some money to put into it then look at a Herpstat 1 or if you have 2 heat sources a Herpstat 2. Also if you don't already have the glass tank look into a animal plastics t8 with divider, these pvc tanks will save your life with humidity and you can move the divider little by little as the snake grows. Compared to buying a glass tank brand new they are not that much more.

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[JoshSloane]

As stated a thermostat is a must have. That should be your first purchase, you can't keep a bp or any reptile without one. If you have some money to put into it then look at a Herpstat 1 or if you have 2 heat sources a Herpstat 2. Also if you don't already have the glass tank look into a animal plastics t8 with divider, these pvc tanks will save your life with humidity and you can move the divider little by little as the snake grows. Compared to buying a glass tank brand new they are not that much more.

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You most definitely can have a bp without a thermostat, as long as you have your heating elements hooked up to a reheostat or dimmer you will do just fine. Make sure that the room the enclosure is located in doesn't have wild temperature swings itself and you will do just fine. Make sure to use an IR temp gun to check hot spot temps daily.

[chrid16371]

Also I wanted to comment on hides. My male would not use half log hide at all bc of the lack of security so he was always in his cool hide. I bought 2 reptile basics hides and now he regulates his body temp and eats like a champ. If you get these hides and a young bp get the medium, don't get anything smaller than the medium the smalls are tiny.

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[JoshSloane]

As an aside, thw ubiquitous tim fool treatment is unnecessary. Go to a construction store and get s piece of melamine and place it on the top of the cage. Done.