First Time Snake Owner

[Jsho13]

Hello all, this is my first snake. I picked it up a week and a half ago and am loving it. I handle it every day (except after feeding) and it is very friendly. I had the tank set up prior to getting the snake but the temps were a little shaky the first day or so. My house is at 68* but was having troubles getting the cool side up to proper temperature. I am using two UTH (one on each side) and a 150W heat lamp on the warm side. My tems are staying steady at 94 and 82. The ambient temperature is lower than the ground temperature at 78ish. My humidity however is at 40 and the snake is starting to shed. The person at the pet shop told me the humidity is not a huge problem and to help the snake shed, mist it with water once in a while durring the shedding period, is this bad?

1. What should I do to cure the humidity problem? Should I invest in a mister?

2. I do not know the sex of the snake, is this something a pet store could determine?

3. It ate its first meal on Monday just fine. Did I feed the appropriate sized mouse (pic below)? Also today I found something weird in its cage, do you think this is the regurgitated mouse because it doesn't look like poop?

4. The snake is pretty young. 21" and have yet to determine the weight. I have a scale ordered but I am guessing the snake is about 9 weeks old, does this sound right? The pet shop that I bought the snake from reccomended a 55 gallon tank. I know this could be stressful for the snake but it seems to be acting normal. Is this going to cause me any problems?

Any info would be really helpful. I surf this site daily and cannot get enough, it's awesome.

Here are some pics, let me know what you think.

[darkangel]

Also today I found something weird in its cage, do you think this is the regurgitated mouse because it doesn't look like poop?

What does it look like? Does it look like a mouse? Mine regurgitated the day after its first meal, and it was just an undigested mouse covered with clear fluid.

[Jsho13]

What does it look like? Does it look like a mouse? Mine regurgitated the day after its first meal, and it was just an undigested mouse covered with clear fluid.

No doesn't look like a mouse. It is those last two pictures. It actually looks pretty gross, but it is just gooey brown stuff. It is almost exactly two days after the feeding.


Here are some better pics
http://www.jsho13.com/gallery/main.p...g2_itemId=5507
http://www.jsho13.com/gallery/main.p...g2_itemId=5521
http://www.jsho13.com/gallery/main.p...g2_itemId=5525
http://www.jsho13.com/gallery/main.p...g2_itemId=5531
http://www.jsho13.com/gallery/main.p...g2_itemId=5527
http://www.jsho13.com/gallery/main.p...g2_itemId=5529
http://www.jsho13.com/gallery/main.p...avId=xeb34ebf2

[JLC]

1. What should I do to cure the humidity problem? Should I invest in a mister?

40% humidity is a bit dry, but not too terribly so. A mister would be overkill. Just provide a humid hide during times of shed. (A small hide with a moist substrate in it on the warm side)

2. I do not know the sex of the snake, is this something a pet store could determine?

Most likely not. Some can, but I wouldn't risk injuring the snake by having an inexperienced pet store employee try to sex it. You don't NEED to know the sex unless you intend to breed. A qualified herp vet can tell you, or if there are any experienced keepers that live locally to you, they may be willing to do it for you.

3. It ate its first meal on Monday just fine. Did I feed the appropriate sized mouse (pic below)? Also today I found something weird in its cage, do you think this is the regurgitated mouse because it doesn't look like poop?

That is URATES...which is a solid forum of urine that they pass. Perfectly normal.

4. The snake is pretty young. 21" and have yet to determine the weight. I have a scale ordered but I am guessing the snake is about 9 weeks old, does this sound right? The pet shop that I bought the snake from reccomended a 55 gallon tank. I know this could be stressful for the snake but it seems to be acting normal. Is this going to cause me any problems?

No guess on the age, but definitely young. A 55 gal is overkill even for an adult ball python. Most babies will not do well in such a large enclosure, but some will be ok. Just make sure the environment is as it should be...and provide LOTS of hides and ground cover.

Any info would be really helpful. I surf this site daily and cannot get enough, it's awesome.

Hope that helps some. A smaller tank that doesn't need a light for supplemental heat might be easier to maintain a higher overall humidity. Also, covering the top of the screen with plastic wrap or aluminum foil can help hold in humidity. And covering three sides of the glass with cardboard will help hold in heat as well as help keep the snake from feeling so exposed by all that glass.

Welcome to BP.net!

[Nate]

which is a solid forum of urine that they pass.

Judy, you've been here too long...

[Stewart_Reptiles]

1. What should I do to cure the humidity problem? Should I invest in a mister?

2. I do not know the sex of the snake, is this something a pet store could determine?

3. It ate its first meal on Monday just fine. Did I feed the appropriate sized mouse (pic below)? Also today I found something weird in its cage, do you think this is the regurgitated mouse because it doesn't look like poop?

4. The snake is pretty young. 21" and have yet to determine the weight. I have a scale ordered but I am guessing the snake is about 9 weeks old, does this sound right? The pet shop that I bought the snake from reccomended a 55 gallon tank. I know this could be stressful for the snake but it seems to be acting normal. Is this going to cause me any problems?

1/ You can mist - Switch to a subtrate that hold the humidity better (Cypress Mulch - Repti-Bark) - Have an addtional water dish above the UTH - partially cover the top of the tank - Have a Humid Hide. Here is a good example of how to maintain a tank http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=32800

2/ Try to find someone in your are has experience with popping and probing, or got to an herp vet.

3/ Can you post bigger pictures because there is no way to identify for sure what is on the picture, I have an idea but would rather know for sure.

4/ well of course the pet store recommended a 55 gallons (the bigger the more money for them) however it is way too big, even an adult does not need anything bigger then a 30-40 gallons tank. Your BP is very young and small and fact is BP do better in smaller enclosures.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

The gross thing you found was urate.

[JLC]

Judy, you've been here too long...

...you sayin' you want me to leave...???

[Nate]

...you sayin' you want me to leave...???

no comment.

keed.

[Jsho13]

No guess on the age, but definitely young. A 55 gal is overkill even for an adult ball python. Most babies will not do well in such a large enclosure, but some will be ok. Just make sure the environment is as it should be...and provide LOTS of hides and ground cover.

So if Jafar continues to eat and be friendly and act "normal" it will not be a problem? I really should have looked into tank size before consulting the pet shop.