New BP owner in need of tips

[MattGaff]

I bought a month old BP from my local reptile shop and have had it for about 4 weeks. It's housed in a 10/20 gallon terrarium with a UTH, 2 hides, coco husk for substrate, and of course a water bowl. The snake seemed healthy when I got him, at least from what I could tell. He's eaten a fuzzy once every week except last week he at a small mouse because they ran out of fuzzies. I asked the owner of the reptile shop about getting a hygrometer and thermostat and he said I don't need either one as long as I keep the cooler side of the tank moist and I could use a thermometer to check the temperature of the ground. But everybody all over the Internet says they recommend buying a hygrometer and a thermostat so I don't know what to think. Also, whenever he comes out of his hide he always his moving around a lot, flicking his tongue almost constantly, and trying to escape. Does this mean he's hungry or something or his tank his dirty maybe? I pick up any urates/ poop I see every 1-3 days and also clean any off that are on his hides so I don't think that's a problem.

[Morjean]

Every heat source NEEDS a thermostat! Please unplug your UTH and get a thermostat to control it immediately! Without a thermostat it is not a question of whether you will burn your snake, it's just a question of when, as sooner or later you are very likely to seriously injure your snake... Much recommended thermostats are the Herpstats, an inkbird, or a Jumpstart if you are not in the US and/or lack the money (Thermostats control how much heat the UTH gives off).
I would also additionally recommend a reliable hygrometer and a thermometer (or a temp gun better yet) to keep check. Don't get the pet store hygro/thermo gauges, they're practically useless... Lots of people here recommend the Acurite (for if you live in the US), but I personally use two Reptiland thermometers which work perfectly for me. If they look somewhat like this (the important part is the probe, which is the metal thing on the cable) you should be fine, just test them out so you know they're accurate.
This is a temp gun, which allows you to spot check temperature. They're not required, but personally I find them incredibly useful and very very reliable.

Lots of talk for little sense: Get a thermostat, and something to check the temperature and humidity. Don't trust pet store advise

Also, please read this if you haven't already, and make adjustments if needed! Good luck and welcome!

[Scottywelsh]

A thermostat shouldn't be seen as an optional thing. It is a necessity and should always be used with every source of heat.
IR temp guns are extremely useful. If you have the money I would get one you won't regret it.
Digital hygrometer should be used as well as a thermometer on the hot side to monitor temp but technically not a necessity just highly reccomended.

Wherever you went where they said you don't need a thermostat, I would never go there again for giving you dangerous advice and obviously not knowing a thing about your snake. Just my opinion.
Good Luck

[bcr229]

I asked the owner of the reptile shop about getting a hygrometer and thermostat and he said I don't need either...

I'm always amazed when a business owner refuses a sale, especially for such an important piece of safety equipment.

Yes, if you have a UTH or other heat source, it must be regulated by a thermostat. Otherwise you will end up with a vet bill for a burned snake - and you will still need a thermostat.

[m1lkhoney]

I'm not an expert yet but to throw in my two cents... if it's a 20 gal with only the items you mentioned, that seems awfully big and sparse for a baby; it may be making him feel exposed and insecure. What hides are you using; do they cover him completely? Do you have some extra decor in there to cramp it up and give him extra places to hide? My smaller snake came in a 29 gallon but I made sure he had plenty of things to clutter it up and help him feel less exposed. And I wouldn't recommend the more exposed half log hides like I have; my snake has no problem using them but many do.



I use the JumpStart thermostat and I like it a lot. Probably don't take advice from the reptile shopkeeper anymore. :/

Sounds like you're on the right track, though!

Oh gosh, wait, one more thing! If he's trying to escape and you have a lid that pops open... well, he can. And if he probably can, he probably will. Happened to me. Might want to pick up some lid clips or lid locks...

[MattGaff]

Thanks for the info. I will get a thermostat, hygrometer, and temp gun asap

[m1lkhoney]

Rad. And again, make sure he can't actually escape if he's trying. Don't want to find him a month later behind your refrigerator...

[MattGaff]

Yeah for sure. I've been making it a habit to lock the top of tank so he can't escape. I'm just worried about him rubbing his nose on the wire

[PitOnTheProwl]

Unplug your UTH until you can regulate it.

[Lady mkrj58]

I bought a month old BP from my local reptile shop and have had it for about 4 weeks. It's housed in a 10/20 gallon terrarium with a UTH, 2 hides, coco husk for substrate, and of course a water bowl. The snake seemed healthy when I got him, at least from what I could tell. He's eaten a fuzzy once every week except last week he at a small mouse because they ran out of fuzzies. I asked the owner of the reptile shop about getting a hygrometer and thermostat and he said I don't need either one as long as I keep the cooler side of the tank moist and I could use a thermometer to check the temperature of the ground. But everybody all over the Internet says they recommend buying a hygrometer and a thermostat so I don't know what to think. Also, whenever he comes out of his hide he always his moving around a lot, flicking his tongue almost constantly, and trying to escape. Does this mean he's hungry or something or his tank his dirty maybe? I pick up any urates/ poop I see every 1-3 days and also clean any off that are on his hides so I don't think that's a problem.

Thank you for seeking help... your getting some great advice.