Tell me everything I need to know about my BP!

[Shadowadow]

I posted on here the other night but I'm going to do it again. I've been reading tons and tons of information on the Internet. I just took in a 9 year old, male ball python. I just want to know what everyone uses. What's the size of your tank? What kind of thermostat do you use to regulate your UTH? Can I purchase a thermostat and still use it with my already installed heat pad or do I need to buy a new heat pad and reinstall it? What kind of thermometers and humidity gauges do you use? Do I need a above cage lamp during the day/night? If so, what kind? What light bulbs should I use? Hides? Cleaning? What cleaning supplies do you use?

I have been spending the past 4 days researching every question that comes to mind and I still don't feel like I'm satisfied with what I have been reading and I need help from snake experts on here!

I picked my snake up Monday night. He traveled from myrtle beach to northwest Ohio! I'm trying not to disturb him too much, but I feel like he is very stressed out and I am not completely sure why! He won't go in his hide box, he's squeezed himself in between the box and the back of the cage. And when I open up his cage to give him fresh water he seems scared of me. I need all the information I can get! Please!

[chrid16371]

I have my older snakes in 48x24 PVC cages but depending on the size of the snake 40g tanks or 41qt tubs seem to be big enough. Thermostats I use spyder robotics Herpstat or reptile basics VE-200, VE-300. You can use your current uth, no need to buy another. Thermometer/hygrometer acurite 00891, it will give you hot, cool, and humidity from one unit and is very accurate. No above lighting is needed, if you can't keep your cool side above 75 then you may need a che on a dimmer or another thermostat or a Herpstat 2. Reptile basics hides are the best IMO, they are very dark and secure and tons of people use them. I use F10SCXD and F10SC for cleaning.

That's quite the trip for a snake, just leave him be except for water and spot cleaning. Also read this care sheet, it will be a lot of help.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

[pariahdog]

For the UTH you just have to plug it into the thermostat, you don't have to buy another one. I don't use lights at all. I clean w hot water and soap.

What do you mean by the box and the back of the cage? Is that his hide?

[Vipera Berus]

I had the same thing happen to my Ball when I got her - the solution to the issue was to let her settle in and to fix the humidity. now after 4 months she comes out to get her dinner and relax.

Edit: That is to say she knows when its feeding time and gives me the evil eye till she gets it.

[Shadowadow]

For the UTH you just have to plug it into the thermostat, you don't have to buy another one. I don't use lights at all. I clean w hot water and soap.

What do you mean by the box and the back of the cage? Is that his hide?

I have a cardboard box for his hide above his heat pad and he has settled between his hide box and the glass.

[Shadowadow]

I had the same thing happen to my Ball when I got her - the solution to the issue was to let her settle in and to fix the humidity. now after 4 months she comes out to get her dinner and relax.

Edit: That is to say she knows when its feeding time and gives me the evil eye till she gets it.

Im pretty sure all of his temps and humidity are okay. I've left him alone since Wednesday. Just giving him fresh water and newspaper on the side I can. Does opening up his home disturb him? It completely latches on the front and two latches on the back. I feel like it may be loud for him...??

[Vipera Berus]

Im pretty sure all of his temps and humidity are okay. I've left him alone since Wednesday. Just giving him fresh water and newspaper on the side I can. Does opening up his home disturb him? It completely latches on the front and two latches on the back. I feel like it may be loud for him...??

It takes a while for them to settle in - just make sure to start handling regularly once you feel that his temps and humidity are ok - I got home 1/2 an hour ago to find my little one giving me the evil eye for having had work and being late with her dinner. regular handling and having a set routine for feeding does wonders. I have found that mine will not refuse a rat warmed using a hairdryer of all things, if its cold she wont touch it - once the rat feels slightly too warm on your palm get the tongs and try offering it to him. I have yet to have a skipped meal by doing that.

Regular handling and a routine has given me in 4 months a BP that has been giving me the evil eye since I sat down at my pc next to her Vivarium just because she hasn't been fed. *Sigh* waiting for it to defrost and she will not stop staring at me, Its actually somewhat unnerving having that happen because of wanting food.

[cchardwick]

Congrats on your first ball Python! I'm sure as you read more and experience it yourself you will probably change up your setup quite a few times before you find something you like. Just a few things to watch for... Make sure you check your temps when using a light or under tank heater. Better to be too cold than to cook your snake. I'd also start with paper towel bedding and watch for little black mites, they are pretty common and I'm dealing with an infestation myself. It would help if you posted a photo of your setup...

[m1lkhoney]

Hoo boy, lots of questions! My tank (for a small 2 year old) is a 29 gallon, mesh lid, lid locks. I use a JumpStart thermostat, you don't need a new heat pad, my thermometer and humidity gauge is an Acurite 00891A1 with probe. I have a dual dome lamp, one with a day heat bulb and one with a night heat bulb. Either zilla or zoomed. I believe each bulb is 100 watts; I use one at a time and it keeps my warm side at 88-90. I have two identical half log hides but these are not always the best choice as they can make the snake feel exposed. I cover mine with lots of vines and plants. I spot clean as necessary and do a complete tear down twice a month. Disinfect cage with a 5 percent bleach mixture, while I do that I clean all cage accessories with Healthy Habitat spray. Rinse cage very thoroughly, replace substrate and accessories. Oh, and I use mulch substrate with a bit of moss and I most everything twice a day with water to get the humidity around 50... 60 or more for a shed.

Anyway, that's just me!










I posted on here the other night but I'm going to do it again. I've been reading tons and tons of information on the Internet. I just took in a 9 year old, male ball python. I just want to know what everyone uses. What's the size of your tank?





What kind of thermostat do you use to regulate your UTH? Can I purchase a thermostat and still use it with my already installed heat pad or do I need to buy a new heat pad and reinstall it? What kind of thermometers and humidity gauges do you use? Do I need a above cage lamp during the day/night? If so, what kind? What light bulbs should I use? Hides? Cleaning? What cleaning supplies do you use?