Advice? I need a lot.

[velvetiine]

Let's start this off with: Please do not be rude or run me off of this forum, all of us were new owners at some point, right? Recently (A few days ago), I procured something I had wanted from the wee age of 8, a snake. I originally wanted an arboreal snake, like a GTP or ATB, but I decided on something a bit friendlier and easier to handle: A ball python. So, I began my search for the snake of my dreams.

I work at a hole-in-the-wall pet store, which was selling a "vanilla" BP for a ridiculous price, and I knew I wasn't going to buy that one, so I started checking other venues, I knew that I didn't want to fork out a ridiculous amount of cash for this animal that I have never had before, so I waited patiently and gathered the supplies to house the future pet. I grabbed supplies that I knew I needed, I got this gorgeous Terrarium from the pet store I work at, got my heating elements, thermostats.. etc.. I was prepared.
Fast forward a few days, and I was browsing craigslist and found this woman that was selling 3 Ghost BPs at a RIDICULOUS price, and I was like "Oh my." So I jumped on it.. I contacted her and she offered me all three of them for $50. I was like of course, I would be crazy not to. Problem is, I only have one terrarium.
Granted it is a massive terrarium, I still know that you shouldn't house BPs together.. I got all 3 anyway.

She let me know that they had been eating live, which I also knew was wrong.. But my mom (Who is also an animal enthusiast) was telling me "Live is okay. Housing them together is okay, I have before" things like that..

So fast forward, I get them home, get their enclosure ready, and put all 3 of them in the terrarium. They're only about 1-2 months old (I think), so the 75 gallon terrarium I have is large enough.. (I thought?)

(I know I've done a lot of things wrong.. Please don't crucify me.)

So, they are all from the same clutch, which I've been telling myself makes it okay to house them together, I mean, I set up their hide and heating accessories, and they pretty much all 3 ball up together and stay in their hide, not being very social.

I had handled them a few times, and I knew the day to feed them was coming up, so I grabbed the live rats from the store I work at and headed home, nervous that they wouldn't.. When I got home, my boyfriend helped me divide their enclosure into 3 sections and feed them... except only one of them would eat.

My female greedily gobbled down her dinner, but the two males acted like the pups would eat them.

So, I give them a minute to try and eat the little critters, but they are not budging on not wanting to eat, and I am upset, guilty, angry, and I feel clueless and helpless.

I mean, I have a general knowledge of all animals, and I have done a TON of research on the little serpents, but it's so hard to find two agreeing sources on ANYTHING.
I really need advice, I have these 3 little guys that are depending on me, and I'm afraid they're stressed and it's really upsetting.

If you made it this far, basically what I'm asking for is advice on how to house them temporarily until I get the housing they need.. I mean I don't plan on keeping the two males, I just got them because I got them on an offer I couldn't refuse, but I definitely want to provide them with the best quality of life while they're with me, so can anyone help?? My dad was always deathly terrified of snakes, so I could never have one, and now that I do, I'm so excited and cautious and really just need advice to calm myself down.

[Godzilla78]

It is normal for them not to eat. They just got a new home, and may be stressed, or maybe just not hungry. Some balls for months without eating. They hold the record for fasting I think!!!! You could get two tubs for the two males, but then you would have to get two more heaters and two more thermostats, and possibly more heaters, and hides.... it gets expensive quick.
Just keep reading and researching, I've spent hundreds of hours reading about these critters and I am still learning.

[velvetiine]

I have this odd thing for routine, and I was trying to stick to the feeding schedule that the woman I got them from had them on, so I guess I freaked out because I'm breaking routine, thank you though!

[tttaylorrr]

your first goal needs to be separating. you put the cart before the horse. they are stressed and will constantly compete for the best spots in the enclosure.

your second goal is proper husbandry for all three: purchase two more thermostats and two more heating elements (whichever you choose), and three 15qt tubs from Target or anywhere else (this is you're cheapest option).

you'll need digital thermometers and hygrometers for all three enclosures to monitor ambient temps and humidity. you'll need an IR temp gun to dial in and monitor your hot spot temps as well as the other temps.

go to the husbandry section of this forum and read, read, read the sticked threads. i'm on mobile so i hope another of our awesome users can link you to these husbandry materials.

for EVERYONE: you need a regulated hot spot of 88-91° F (temperature taken at the absolute bottom of the enclosure), a cool side at ~80° F (taken at the substrate) and the ambient (air) temps can NOT drop below 75° F.

[SDA]

You might as well get into the mindset of getting a rack setup. You have three snakes now and the simplest setup you can go to is a rack setup. Think of using tubs but in a shelf with identical heating across the board. It is going to be your best option.

People on here that use rack setups can give you all you need to know.

Yes for the temporary housing you can go with tubs and heat mats and thermostats but I highly recommend migrating to racks as soon as you can.

Ball pythons must never be housed together outside of a breeding pair about to mate and even that is only temporary. I am glad you are understanding the importance of keeping them separate.

Get temps, humidity, and their sense of security under control and you can start acclimating them in no time. Might take a few weeks to get them eating regularly so waiting to handle them until they have eaten 2-3 times should be what you shoot for.

For digital thermometers and humidity gauges, AcuRite is the company to use.

I second an IR temp gun, you will have such great peace of mind owning one.

Get this one, it is flawless

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DMI632G

Oh and welcome fellow Tennessean!

[Godzilla78]

I second an IR temp gun, you will have such great peace of mind owning one.

Get this one, it is flawless

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DMI632G

Oh and welcome fellow Tennessean!

Flawless? ppppttthhh, I recommend a dual laser Klein model, it is about 3 times the price, but with tools, you get what you pay for! but then again I own over $15,000 in plumbing tools, so I am a bit of tool snob,

[SDA]

Whatever plumber boy, mine has positive reviews on Amazon and everyone knows if it is on the internet it has to be true!

Edit: if they made one with three lasers like the Predator I would so buy that and make predator sounds when taking temps!

[Godzilla78]

Whatever plumber boy, mine has positive reviews on Amazon and everyone knows if it is on the internet it has to be true!

The dual laser can sense animate objects heat and is more accurate, the one you listed is not rated for living things and is only single laser. Sorry, I'm just saying... not "flawless"

edit: Predator comparison is awesome, I submit...

[tttaylorrr]

Flawless? ppppttthhh, I recommend a dual laser Klein model, it is about 3 times the price, but with tools, you get what you pay for! but then again I own over $15,000 in plumbing tools, so I am a bit of tool snob,

Whatever plumber boy, mine has positive reviews on Amazon and everyone knows if it is on the internet it has to be true!

"I'm Godzilla78, I'm a rich plumber with fancy rich-guy plumber tools and my snakes only drink Fiji Water"

[Godzilla78]

"I'm Godzilla78, I'm a rich plumber with fancy rich-guy plumber tools and my snakes only drink Fiji Water"

I'm actually poor, I just have a lot of plumbing tools to make a living, and yes, I am obsessed with technology. I'm super jealous of SDA's new cage.