New Ball Python Keeper Here

[Middlehertz]

Hi all,

I've been reading on these forums for a couple of months now, trying to learn as much as possible before taking the plunge and acquiring a ball python, I visited many local reptile breeders and shops in a 50 mile radius of where I live and eventually found a lovely snake, although had a couple of worries from the get go with her.

So firstly I have an 18 month old female albino ball python, she's 800g, shop said she feeds regularly and she's good with handling. I have her set up in a 3ft wooden viv with glass sliding doors, she has 2 cork logs as hides that she loves, large water bowl, ceramic heater with bulb guard, digital thermometer on a dimmer setting and hygrometer. I have the cool side set at 82 in the day and the warm side sits around 92-95 maximum, then at night it drops to 78/79 on the cool side and mid to late 80's on the warm side.

When I first got her home, she was put into her new home, she went from a tub to a viv, and immediately found a cosy spot on the cool side under her hide, so I left her to it. About 5/6 hours later she was at the glass and I know saturday is her feeding day so I thought, why not? Let's give it a go, she ate like a champ, 1 rat straight down and left her to it.

Since then she mainly stayed hidden during the day, might come out for a drink every now and again, I also noticed when she's in her hide she's in a defensive position? Head pointing out in an S shape which I'm putting down to the stress of moving and having a big new house to explore. At night on the other hand is a different story, loves roaming around, seeing what's behind the plants, what's on the ceiling and in the corners, then last night I came in and she was chilling on top of her hide in a very loose ball watching the world go by.

i haven't handled her other than feeding her, I'm going to give it a go this weekend and see how she is.

Anyways that's me, my ball python and her set up. Any tips or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Welcome

a Little advice here before you run into issues

I have the cool side set at 82 in the day and the warm side sits around 92-95 maximum, then at night it drops to 78/79 on the cool side and mid to late 80's on the warm side.

NO drop, your temps should be constant 24/7 and maxing it out at 92 on the warm side.

[Middlehertz]

Hiya,

Thanks for the comment, I'll do that, I was advised by the reptile shop I got her from to drop the temperature at night, this is the only reason I've done this, am I right in thinking to drop temperatures for breeding purposes? Other than that it can cause issues for her?

[Neal]

Welcome to the forums.

I wouldn't pay much attention to the reptile shops, they give the same advice for most snakes regardless of species. They have some great guides and information on here and as Deborah pointed out, I would lower that warm side temperature.

Keep the temps steady. You just got the BP, don't worry about trying to breed anytime soon.

[Middlehertz]

No I just picked up on reading on here about breeding temperatures, I don't want to breed her at all. First ball python, definitely don't want a load more yet.

Since I've posted this as deb posted that, I've turned the thermostat down and running it at a constant temp rather than day and night temps