New Owner

[snaker35]

Hello Everyone,

I just bought my first snake 2 days ago (a female ball python), and I think I found the right place to find out everything I can. I did a ton of research before even going to see the her for the first time, and so far so good. I don't know how many people from here are canadian but I bought her from a great pet store in downtown Hamilton called "The Reptile Store". The exp buying her was great, I impressed the owner with my knowledge and he upgraded me to a larger 20 Gallon terrarium. He said they were last years hatchlings butI forgot to ask exactly how old she is. She looks really healthy and is about 2 feet long. I'll post some pics when my digi cam recharges.

just a couple questions...

I am using a heating and am wondering if I should be unplugging that at night.

How much should I be handling her. She seems really comfy and is exploring her surroundings and likes her hiding spot but doesn't all her time there. I've really let her settle in, I've only had her out for about 5 min last night. When I do handle her she seems really curious and docile. She's awesome so far. I read in some books and stuff that they don't like excessive handling and am wondering how much is "excessive"

and finally, when should I feed her for the first time, I've heard that I should let her settle for a week or two. and then every 5-7 days after that.

any tips you guys have to help avoiding diseases and keeping her healthy would be much appreciated.

btw I also have a veiled chameleon that's almost fully grown and just about as big as my new baby, and he's about a year old.


Oh and I can't figure out a name!!!! I'm a guy and it's a girl but I'm having a hard time finding a girls name that suits her and that I like saying.

any suggestions???


thx

Alex

[LokiSnakeOwenr]

hey i am no expert, for that matter i am just in the same boat as you. accept i have had my first snake for 6 days. I was just gonna say that i fed my snake for the first time today and he ate very quickly and if you take him out put him in another box and then place the heating light over him or her.... she will be more apt to eat... atleast in my first experience! anway just wanted to wish you luck. I think feeding her on the 6th day worked well. Anwway good luck! congrats on your snake!

[xdeus]

just a couple questions...

And a couple of answers...

Keep the heat plugged in 24/7 at the same temperatures (low 80s cool side, low 90s warm side).

As far as handling, some balls get less stressed by handling than others. Generally, you should be able to handle her about 15 minutes every day except for feeding day, for the two days after feeding, and while they are in shed. If you find that they start getting picky when trying to feed, try to cut way back on handling her.

Feeding every 7 days is plenty for a Ball Python.

Finally, as far as avoiding diseases and keeping her healthy: clean her cage once a week, clean up any defecations immediately, change and clean her water bowl at least once a week, keep her away from other reptiles, and find a reptile vet in your area.

[Beauty the BP]

Hello Everyone,

I just bought my first snake 2 days ago (a female ball python), and I think I found the right place to find out everything I can. I did a ton of research before even going to see the her for the first time, and so far so good. I don't know how many people from here are canadian but I bought her from a great pet store in downtown Hamilton called "The Reptile Store". The exp buying her was great, I impressed the owner with my knowledge and he upgraded me to a larger 20 Gallon terrarium. He said they were last years hatchlings butI forgot to ask exactly how old she is. She looks really healthy and is about 2 feet long. I'll post some pics when my digi cam recharges.

just a couple questions...

I am using a heating and am wondering if I should be unplugging that at night.

How much should I be handling her. She seems really comfy and is exploring her surroundings and likes her hiding spot but doesn't all her time there. I've really let her settle in, I've only had her out for about 5 min last night. When I do handle her she seems really curious and docile. She's awesome so far. I read in some books and stuff that they don't like excessive handling and am wondering how much is "excessive"

and finally, when should I feed her for the first time, I've heard that I should let her settle for a week or two. and then every 5-7 days after that.

any tips you guys have to help avoiding diseases and keeping her healthy would be much appreciated.

btw I also have a veiled chameleon that's almost fully grown and just about as big as my new baby, and he's about a year old.


Oh and I can't figure out a name!!!! I'm a guy and it's a girl but I'm having a hard time finding a girls name that suits her and that I like saying.

any suggestions???


thx

Alex

Well the general rule of thumb is no handling for atleast 7-10 days after you get your new snake. This is what is called their acclimation period. Here is a good link I use for whenever i get a new snake. http://www.vmsherp.com/LCAcclimation.htm

Thi link will over eveything from handling to feeding.

As for keepin your snake healthy, as long as you have correct husbandry there shouldnt be a probem.

Again for feeding the general rule of thumb is a prey item weekly ( or biwekly depending on the size of your snake) as thick as your snakes thickest part. ( mid belly)

There is a vry good FQA post here in theis forum about ball pythons that you will find at the top of the threads page.

I hope this helps you and that you have many wonderful years with your snake. As for names I would look nder baby names on yahoo or google. there are alot of different ideas for names on any of the different sites. Here are the names of my snakes as an example and if you like them you can use them if you wish.

female Ball1 Enya
Female ball2 Starshine
Male ball Beauty
small female juvi snow corn Candy
Small male Juvi amel cor Cane
Small male juvi okeetee corn Rampage
Adult Female snow corn Sandy
Adult male Snow corn Uri
Adult female Okeetee corn Maize
Male Brazilian Rainbow Boa Beavis
Female Brazilian Rainbow Boa Dutchess
Female RTB Rose (she is one thorny customer)

LIzards are
Female Green Basilisk Contessa
Male Green Basilisk Butthead
Male Arg Black and white Tegu Tony aka Godzilla

I too have a hard time naming so I now use those sites for baby names to help me. or sometimes I look at them and they just seem to tell me their names so to speak.

Hope this helps you,
Beauty the BP

[snaker35]

that was a great article. thx.


and your right, the name just came to me....Carmen!

pics to follow soon

[Shelby]

Welcome to BP.net! If you haven't already, take a look at our care sheet. It is the best one around. http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=52

Now.. what are you using to heat the tank? What kind of substrate and hides?

When feeding, I have found it much easier to get them to eat if you leave them in their cage. I see no good reason for putting them in a separate feeding box. Some people do it and it works fine, but I have never done it and I have 26 snakes with good appetites.

Oh and.. we love pictures! Post a few if you can.

[frankykeno]

to BPNet Alex. It's nice to see you've done your research and are very committed to Carmen's wellbeing. Just to confirm basics....80-84 cool side, 90-94 warm side (never ever below 75 degrees, no need to have a night drop unless you are actively breeding adult BP's)...humidity 50 to 60% normally, pushed to 70% during the entire shed cycle, appropriate substrate (never use cedar), non-tip water dish, two hides just bigger than your snake when it's curled up (think dark and very snug)....something to check temps/humidity with (those stick on analog things from the pet store are not reliable), underbelly heat source...secure enclosure (snake's are escape artists).

Snakes are such lovely creatures and I'm sure you'll enjoy Carmen thoroughly over the years. Let her settle in a week or two then decide what day will be feeding day (evening is actually best as they are nocturnal). Stick to that schedule - once weekly feeding of an appropriate sized mouse or rat. BP's are very much creatures of habit so routines are wonderful for them. Do not handle for 48 hours after she eats.

As far as handling I would say keep it very minimal until Carmen has established her eating pattern with you. Get a few weeks of solid feeds into her then start short handling sessions with her. BP's can show their stress by refusing to eat so you want to always prioritize husbandry and feeding before handling.

Handling is really more for our pleasure than the snake's needs so think of it as a gift Carmen gives you and be reasonable with it. Learn to watch Carmen's subtle signs and you'll find the balance that works for you and her. Some BP's react well to handling, some do not, sometimes it's just a certain day they don't want to be bothered with us humans LOL. Just go slow. BP's teach us patience

[snaker35]

Thanks for all the suggestions.


I can confirm that I am maintaining a good temperature range and that although the temp drops a little at night it is not significant and nowhere near the danger range.

As of now I only have one hide and am wondering if it would be too stressing to re-organize cage furniture at this point, or if I should just leave one hide and wait a week or two and then re-organize.

I'm going out today to buy a hydrometer, and a more accurate digi temp gauge.

I'm using aspen as a substrate which is what she was on in the store and she seems to love it.

I also have a solid water dish which is probably going to be on the small side in no time but it's big enough for her now.


I think I'm going to feel a lot more comfortable that she's fine the first time I feed her. But she looks really healthy and is really beautiful.

Oh, she was fed live rat pups in the store I bought her from. I know a live rat can hurt her. Should I try pre-killed right away?

[Shelby]

It would be more stressful if you don't give her another hide... give it to her now, and she'll be happier.

Feeding live is not dangerous unless you are irresponsible about it.. in other words, don't leave a live rat unattended so that it gets really hungry and starts chewing on your snake. I feed my BP live all the time, and he's never been hurt. Just keep an eye on them and you'll be fine.

[snaker35]

ok I have the new hide in there, she hasn't used it yet but I'm hoping after she roams around at night she'll find it. I am also having trouble keeping a good temp gradient at night. during the day it is no problem b/c of the heat light. The temp never drops below 84-83, but I don't have the low 90, low 80 gradient. Just wondering how big of a deal this is and any tips to help.



hopefully I can get some pics really soon