New member saying hello and asking advice!

[clawlan]

Hi everyone! I have been waiting a long time to finally get a ball python. I will be picking her up in about a week and am very excited. I have done a ton of research of the years and feel very prepared for my new housemate.

But despite all the research you can do in books and online articles, I still think message boards are the best resource. So, on that note, what advice do you have? In other words, what things do you see people doing wrong or what mistakes have you made that you wish you hadn't? I have read all the FAQ's, I'm just asking personal opinions.

[jkobylka]

my advise is be a stickler on temperature... so many new owners think that the temp requirements are just suggestions and don't take steps to ensure that they get it right.

advise #2: get your animal from a private breeder that obviously cares each animal individually.

good luck and welcome....

[dr del]

Hi Clawlan,


Main thing we see people causing themselves problems with is housing I think at first.


The longer you can have the enclosure set up before adding the snake the better you will know how it deals with temp fluctuations/humidity etc. and be able to sort them before the animals wellbeing depends on them.

There are some great threads on setting up the housing (either tubs or glass tanks) which might be worth your while reading.

I think the single biggest mistake in housing is trying to be too kind in regards to giving it a huge tank whereas the snake is actually far happier in a small enclosure.

That and not providing 2 identical hides in the tank I think.

If you have any questions there will be no shortage of people who wil try and help.


And welcome to the site.


Oh and, as you may notice as you browse the ite, we are all addicted to pictures so feel free to share when you have your new friend or want advice on housing ( a pic is worth a thousand words).


dr del

[Stewart_Reptiles]

what things do you see people doing wrong

Hi and to the forum

I would say the main mistakes when it come to new owner would be

Not having the proper temp gradient or proper humidity
Using stick or dial thermometer instead of digital
Having hides that are not identical or not tight enough
Having an enclosure that is too big
Overfeeding their BP

[clawlan]

Having hides that are not identical or not tight enough

So I should have identical hides or non-indenticle hides?

Having an enclosure that is too big

I am planning on a 30g breeder tank. Will this be alright?

[whyteboi]

How big is the snake? 30 g is prolly for a full grown one...

[clawlan]

How big is the snake? 30 g is prolly for a full grown one...

I don't have the snake yet, but it will be a juvenile. So, it sounds like having a smaller tank (10g? 20g?) for a juvenile and eventually moving up to a 30g for an adult is better than just starting with a 30g and not upgrading?

[dr del]

Hi,


Yes, putting them in too large an enclosure can make them feel exposed and stressed - and stressed ball pythons tend not to eat.

dr del

[clawlan]

ok, good to know. so with regard to hides, do I want them identical?

[whyteboi]

yes.................................................