First Snake - Introduction & Pics

[alilak]

Hi Everyone

Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself my new ball python Monty. Pulled the trigger after doing lots of reading and research and excited to have him home. It was great to find this forum- really active and so much info

I got an enchi, 2 year old male.
40" by 18" by "21 inch terrarium with UTH and termostat etc
Temps and humidity dialed in within the suggested range.
zoo med eco earth / forest floor substrate

I wanted to attach some pictures but I can see that in posting permissions it says 'you may not post attachments'? How do I post pics?

Cheers

Ali

[EDR]

Congrats on your first snake an enchi ball python is a good first choice imo. It looks like you got things dialed in with your conditions. Just make sure with that much floor space if he's young to have a lot of fake plants and branchs so he feels safe.

As for posting pics poke around this site it explains it somewhere. I'm sure somebody will give you a link. I would but I forgot were it is.

[MissterDog]

Here you go

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-Post-Pictures

And welcome!

[alilak]

Thanks Guys! Ok - so now I now I know how to insert pics, here you go;

Below / attached are the following pics;

- my concept set up and terrarium
- me and Monty
- couple of pics of him
- the finalised set up
- Monty in his hide

He seems like quite a lazy bugger lol. I got him only last night and since morning today all I have seen him do is relax and chill out in his hide which is over the UTH. Definitely much happier then he was in the shop I bought him from. I had asked the shop to feed him just a dew days ago on Wednesday so I know he has eaten and can give him a week to get used to his new habitat without having to harass him too much.

Would welcome any suggestions / additions or opinions on my setup.

I just had one question as well, last night I heard him make a sound which seemed like he took a wee - i can't see anything on the substrate but judging from where he was was, should I just spot clean that area + replace a little bit of substrate and quick spray with f10?

Cheers !
Ali

[Craiga 01453]

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of snake keeping!!

Your setup looks ok, just a few thoughts:

1) you may want to add some more clutter. BPs rely very heavily on security, so adding a few more fake plants may help.

2) again, security related: you may want to "black out" the back and sides of the enclosure. You can use cardboard, dark construction paper, commercially available tank liners, or... I personally use 1/2" foam board insulation. This also helps with humidity and heat control.

3) I see no mention of a THERMOSTAT.
VERY IMPORTANT: ARE YOUR HEAT SOURCES REGULATED BY A THERMOSTAT???

4) It is also often suggested that you have 2 identical hides, one cool end one warm end. This helps the snake thermoregulate without choosing security over proper temps.

5) as cool as that skull looks, it's actually dangerous to your snake. They can actually get themselves wedged in there. I've seen it happen too many times.

That's all I see off the bat, but I can't stress enough how important a THERMOSTAT is...

[rlditmars]

Congrats on your new boy, he's a looker, and welcome to the club.

[alilak]

Hi Craig - Yes regarding the skull that makes sense, he could get stuck if he tries to go in. I may either fill the inside with something so he can't try to go in or remove it.

I am going to go pick some terrarium backgrounds / tank liners and cover the back and sides + pick up a few things which can add some more clutter- this will make him feel much more secure.

I do have a thermostat and have set it regulate at 44C. The sensor is placed between the UTH and the glass and from on top of the substrate im getting a reading of 29 - 30C in and around his hide which is his hot spot. Will also pick up an identical or very similar hide for the cold side - good suggestion.

Thanks for the advice

[EDR]

Craigafrechette brought up some good stuff. And he did mention a thermostat after giving the dimensions for the enclosure craig. But yes I would cover up the sides maybe black construction paper or something and I would just put those two plants on the bottom to give him more cover. One bit of advice I want to give you is make sure to keep his humidity good when his eyes get cloudy and is about to shed. But you might already know this. And giving his behavior if he's just relaxing in his hide that's a good thing. Its a sign he's not stressed. He'll probably be out at night.

Also that's a cool cabinet to put the enclosure on. Its like a pirate cabinet or something.

[Craiga 01453]

C[COLOR=#3e3e3e][FONT=Tahoma]raigafrechette brought up some good stuff. And he did mention a thermostat after giving the dimensions for the enclosure craig. :gj]

Whoops missed it. Thanks!!!

OP, you're good to go there, sorry bout that!