Introducing Tinkle

[keeb]

Hello everyone,

First post here, I just got my BP yesterday and have been lurking here since I snapped some photos after work today, and would love some feedback. I think he's about 1 1/2 - 2 feet long (about half of my tank 20G long tank,) and I plan on feeding him Live, but will provide F/T if he's not in to it (having to de-thaw and that entire process does not appeal to me, but I will do what it takes)


There he is, in his hide (Yeah, I know it's a little too big after reading here) I wanted a hide where I could see him when he was hiding!

He seemed to be very active yesterday, exploring his new tank, and I have tried my best to keep him completely undisturbed, even providing a blanket over the cage most of the time. Today he has stayed in his hide, mostly popping his head out every once in a while. I have heard I shouldn't handle him for a week or two, but I also see people on this site with their new friends out and about with photos.

The store said I should think about feeding him on Wednesday, but then told me that he normally feeds every Sunday, and I have also heard on here I should give him 2 weeks before I even try! So, I am a little confused there too!


As far a husbandry is concerned, I am working on the temps right now. I bought a 50W Hydrogen Bulb which I plan on using along with a UHV to keep temps right. Humidity is has been consistently around 60-70%, Temp has been 80-85 (I know I need to get this higher)

I will try to get more photo's soon, especially of a full body shot, but I am worried about stressing him. While typing this he has come out of his hide 4-5 times, and whenever I look his way he quickly goes back in. Shy little guy!

[SnakeEyes]

you go out and buy bedding or buy mulch? looks good man, but I'm sure you will get all kinds of "constructive" criticism on what needs to be fixed, so i'll save you from hearing it 400 times and let them handle it. Do I even wanna know how it got its name? lol

[keeb]

I bought the bedding, I thought it looked good at the time.

I think I'll be ordering Coconut Husk, though

[xdeus]

First off, Welcome to the site!

Nice looking snake and setup, but you may want to think about changing a few things. First, that hide is MUCH too big. I know you want to see him hiding, but it kind of defeats the purpose of a "hide". It should be small enough so that he can touch it on all of his sides when he curls up.

It doesn't really matter which day you choose to feed him, but they seem to do better when they have a consistent feeding day.

As far as feeding live or F/T, it doesn't really matter although getting them to feed F/T is usually more of an effort and if he's used to eating live, he might not want F/T as he gets older.

The humidity is a little high. 70% is good for shedding, but you should bring it down to 50-60... or lower. It's not necessary, but just keep an eye out for discolored belly scales that may indicate scale rot.

Also, you heard right about not handling him for a while. At least one week, but I usually recommend that you don't handle a new snake until they eat for you consistently.

[smasharama13]

it looks pretty good so far. I don't see a thermometer in there. How are you monitoring your temps and humidity? Hopefully you have a digital thermometer/hydrometer and a thermostat for regulating the temps.

[keeb]

it looks pretty good so far. I don't see a thermometer in there. How are you monitoring your temps and humidity? Hopefully you have a digital thermometer/hydrometer and a thermostat for regulating the temps.

I have the temps right above his hide, with a UHV side mounted on the opposite to the heat lamp (same end of the terrarium)

They're not digital, yet. Tinkle is out exploring, again, tonight! Yay!

I took a Glad Tupperware and made him a quick home until I get him a smaller hide. So, now he has a hide inside his hide

[Kagez28]

do you have a cool side? or is the temps 80-85 throught the entire tank? just wondering what a UHV was? is it a heating pad?

if so i would get a thermostat or a dimmer on it to you can control it beter...

[Sausage]

Welcome aboard the BP.net crew!

I'm just gonna make a list of the items I'd recommend getting.
First off: temps
Do you have an under tank heater? (a heat mat that sticks onto the bottom of half of the tank) If not, you should. Ball pythons benefit from "belly heat" since they don't need to bask like other reptiles. You can get one here.
You will need to control it with a dimmer, which can be bought here.
Also you will need a digital thermometer, as the little dial ones are very inaccurate. Walmart sells one called AcuRite Indoor/Outdoor thermometer like this . You should place the actual unit on the cool side of the cage near the bottom and put the little probe on the warm side. You want the cool side to be 80-85 and the warm around 92-95, but no higher. Humidity generally should be around 50%, but can be bumped up to 70% during a shed. Too high of humidity can possibly cause scale-rot, which is hard on the snake and can leave horrific scars.

As for hides, you want two: one on the warm side, one on the cool. They need to be tight and touching the snake on all sides... the little logs aren't very good. I use these . They are more clay-colored and have smaller entrances than pictured, but are very well made.

I think that about covers it.

[keeb]

Welcome aboard the BP.net crew!

I'm just gonna make a list of the items I'd recommend getting.
First off: temps
Do you have an under tank heater? (a heat mat that sticks onto the bottom of half of the tank) If not, you should. Ball pythons benefit from "belly heat" since they don't need to bask like other reptiles. You can get one here.
You will need to control it with a dimmer, which can be bought here.
Also you will need a digital thermometer, as the little dial ones are very inaccurate. Walmart sells one called AcuRite Indoor/Outdoor thermometer like this . You should place the actual unit on the cool side of the cage near the bottom and put the little probe on the warm side. You want the cool side to be 80-85 and the warm around 92-95, but no higher. Humidity generally should be around 50%, but can be bumped up to 70% during a shed. Too high of humidity can possibly cause scale-rot, which is hard on the snake and can leave horrific scars.

As for hides, you want two: one on the warm side, one on the cool. They need to be tight and touching the snake on all sides... the little logs aren't very good. I use these . They are more clay-colored and have smaller entrances than pictured, but are very well made.

I think that about covers it.

I have a UHV, but I side mounted it along with a Red Thermal Light.

Digital Thermometer, got it today as well.

I got him a smaller hide, and made him another one out of glad tupperware. He's out exploring his new cage today, since I also got him new substrate - Aspen Bedding. I like it a lot more, but the smell still bothers me (remembered from a previous snake -- King, long ago)

I'll move the log to the other side once I use something like the one you are.

He seems to be very very active and I am thinking I am going to feed him tomorrow -- that's when the pet store recommended it eventhough they admitted they feed them every sunday morning. The guy at the pet store said Large feeder mice. I haven't seen a large feeder mouse before, but he's 20-21" long, and 3/4-1' in diameter at his biggest point. Do you guys concur? I can provide more shots as needed.

Updated: Here's an image of him and his new tank!

[Sausage]

I have a UHV, but I side mounted it along with a Red Thermal Light.

Digital Thermometer, got it today as well.

I got him a smaller hide, and made him another one out of glad tupperware. He's out exploring his new cage today, since I also got him new substrate - Aspen Bedding. I like it a lot more, but the smell still bothers me (remembered from a previous snake -- King, long ago)

I'll move the log to the other side once I use something like the one you are.

Awesome!

It's best to use identical hides(I understand these are temporary) because sometimes the snake will have a preference of one hide and will stay there instead of thermoregulating.