Questions from a new BP owner

[teebyrd393]

I'm a new mom of a baby ball and have a few questions. I'll list what I've got going on as to rule out some possibilities. 20 gal tank, cypress mulch substrate, hide over half of the UTH, ceramic heater, no light source (other than the day light), climbing branch, soaking dish, dual thermometers (cool side reads approx 75-80, warm side is 90+), humidity at 55. I've had him (maybe her) for 4 days now. He took a f/t fuzzie with calcium powder today NO Problem. I've not been handleing it in order to give it time to adjust.

[Jolynn_2003]

I am in no way trying to be rude, but what is your question?

[teebyrd393]

I'm a new mom of a baby ball and have a few questions. I'll list what I've got going on as to rule out some possibilities. 20 gal tank, cypress mulch substrate, hide over half of the UTH, ceramic heater, no light source (other than the day light), climbing branch, soaking dish, dual thermometers (cool side reads approx 75-80, warm side is 90+), humidity at 55. I've had him (maybe her) for 4 days now. He took a f/t fuzzie with calcium powder today NO Problem. I've not been handleing it in order to give it time to adjust.


SORRY IT CUT ME OFF I"M USING MY Iphone
1. 1st day home he thuroughly explored his cage for hours. Now, all day he curls up in a ball between his hide and the glass. Even after he ate he went right back there. It's midnight and he still hasn't shown much activity. I know they're nocturnal so I expect behavior like that in the day but is this normal at night?

2. My terrarium has a wire mesh top. I've found it almost impossible to keep the humidity correct. My new invention is a slightly damp handtowel over 2/3 of the top with the other 1/3 exposed to the air and ceramic heater. Is there an easier way to maintain te huidity level?

3. Is it a good idea to line the bottom of the terrarium with news print...I'm concerned about the UTH??

4. I've heard that thawing the feeder animals with hot water can cause food poisoning to the snake? Is it true? How warm or cool should the water be?

Thanks :-)

[teebyrd393]

Sorry...I bet that seemed weird

[bsd13]

I'm a new mom of a baby ball and have a few questions. I'll list what I've got going on as to rule out some possibilities. 20 gal tank, cypress mulch substrate, hide over half of the UTH, ceramic heater, no light source (other than the day light), climbing branch, soaking dish, dual thermometers (cool side reads approx 75-80, warm side is 90+), humidity at 55. I've had him (maybe her) for 4 days now. He took a f/t fuzzie with calcium powder today NO Problem. I've not been handleing it in order to give it time to adjust.


SORRY IT CUT ME OFF I"M USING MY Iphone
1. 1st day home he thuroughly explored his cage for hours. Now, all day he curls up in a ball between his hide and the glass. Even after he ate he went right back there. It's midnight and he still hasn't shown much activity. I know they're nocturnal so I expect behavior like that in the day but is this normal at night?

Not really normal, at night they're "usually" out and about and during the day they are usually curled up in their hides. Mine was doing the same thing until I figured out that the substrate was to thin in the hide. I just added a bit more to that area and now he uses it all the time. Might check and see if a similar issue is bothering yours.

2. My terrarium has a wire mesh top. I've found it almost impossible to keep the humidity correct. My new invention is a slightly damp handtowel over 2/3 of the top with the other 1/3 exposed to the air and ceramic heater. Is there an easier way to maintain te huidity level?

I found doing the same thing with a layer of saran wrap, then foil, and finally another layer of saran wrap is much easier. First of all it is semi-permanent and secondly it seems, for me at least to hold the moisture much better than the damp towel method.

You might also use a wider drinking water bowl in the tank so it has more surface area to evaporate. I personally use a saphngum moss hide which I open up to full exposure when he's not in shed. Also 55% humidity is pretty good. 50 to 60 percent is optimal except during shed where it should be around 70 to 75%.

3. Is it a good idea to line the bottom of the terrarium with news print...I'm concerned about the UTH??

You'll need a GOOD temperature probe and a thermostat to regulate how much heat the uth is out putting. Newspaper is pretty much a standard for a lot of breeders so judging by that I'd say there is nothing wrong with it IF you do it right and are safety conscious

4. I've heard that thawing the feeder animals with hot water can cause food poisoning to the snake? Is it true? How warm or cool should the water be?

I've never heard of such a thing if you're only thawing. If you're boiling, or otherwise cooking that can be an issue.

I thaw mine out in "very hot" water when I first put it in there. By the time I pull it out it's lukewarm and he goes for it almost right away (barring my episodes try to switch his feed). You're trying to simulate body heat of a living creature and that means giving off a respectable amount of heat. You just don't want to cook the item and if it's frozen solid hot water won't hurt, but use your best judgment

[Sinsation]

I don't believe the calcium powder is needed. Ive not heard of anyone using it on snakes until now.

[waltah!]

Welcome to the site! You said that you have dual thermometers, are they digital with a probe? The tank may seem large to a baby, so make sure it has lots of hiding spots. May not be a bad idea to toss in some fake leaves and such in the back of it. That works as one big hide pretty much.(get them from Walmart and not the petstore). I use tubs so I don't have much more to offer in the humidity in a glass tank dept. As stated, you can lose the calcium powder....save it for your present or future lizard I recommend aspen or newspaper for substrate. Aspen is much better for humidity.