Just making sure I got it right!!!!

[skylapax1]

I'm new ball python owner and new to this site. I just want to make sure I got everything right. I have done so much research but there are so many different ideas I just want to see what you guys think. So quick run down... I have him in a small plastic tub, he is about 94g. First question the breeder says he is about 6 or 7 months old. Is this a good size for him? I have his cold side at 78 and his warm side is at 87-88 with a hot spot of 91, humidity is at 51 with an ambient temp of 81. Second question are these good temps? Finally I have had him 4 days, I know people say let them acclimate anywhere from 5 days to a week after 3 meals before handling but how long should I wait before attempting his first meal? I really appreciate help anyone has and I'm super excited to have a new baby. Also I got a spider 50% Pos Double Het Clown Pied but the breeder says nds up being 100% het for either pied or clown based off his colors for a spider.

[tttaylorrr]

welcome to the forum!!!


lovely noodle you got there! your temps are just right, but what's more important is HOW you are measuring those temps. do you use a temp gun or a digital thermometer/hygrometer? and are your heating sources regulated by a thermostat or other electronic control (sorry, you're new; have to ask lol)?

as for size: each snake is an individual so there's no way to tell what a "good size" actually is. my 7 month old Super Cinny female is @ 500g. my 1.5 year old Coral Glow is at ~650g; my 6 month old Piebald male is at 170g. as long as the animal is showing steady growth, then they're doing well.

minimum of 5 days before offering a meal, and 7 days is preferred.

[skylapax1]

Thanks for the help and I understand that you just want to make sure i'm not guessing on temps because that can be bad for an animal that relies on temps and humidity being just right. I have a infrared temp gun from etekcity, I have two heat mats one for the cold side and one for the hot side and connected to each one two thermostats one from jump start and one from zilla. Inside his enclosure i have a digital hygrometer (not sure of the brand), and a digital thermometer with the probe inside his hide on the side to make sure its not getting to hot inside there for him I also have a analog thermometer sitting in his enclosure for the ambient temp. I didn't mention that the probes for the thermostat are connected directly to the heat mat under his hot spot and on the cold side. I think I went overboard lol but at the same time I didn't want to leave anything up for guessing. I hope I covered everything but here is a picture.

[Zincubus]

Sounds like you'll be just fine

Remember to check the temps over both mats randomly using the temp gun - test under the substrate though not on top .

Also watch if it's spending an inordinate amount of time on the cool slde and not venturing to the warm area ... some snakes just like it a little cooler than the ' care sheets' suggest ..


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[tttaylorrr]

you pretty much have everything nailed down, OP. continue to do your research tho; the learning never stops!

keep us posted on your lil noodle! let us know if you have more questions.

[skylapax1]

thanks for the help

[Aerries]

Yea size and weight mean nothing when it comes to age honestly, and that’s coming from personal exp. my Cinny girl Daenerys is just over 200g and was hatched 7/15/17 while my newest are close to 270ish now and they were hatched 8/15/17and 9/5/17, least that’s what I remember correctly lol


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[skylapax1]

Hey just to update he ate today. He was being extremely active today and it looked like he was searching for a meal. So I thawed one hopper and he had no problem eating. I'm so happy.

[Zincubus]

Excellent!!


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