Just got my first BP need some help!

[rc1988]

Hows it going guys, my name is Ricky and i just picked up my first Ball Python. She is captive bred, and i picked her up on Saturday. My question is...I have a UTH heather and a 60 wat bulb going. It gives me about 83 Degrees on the warm side and around 79-80degrees on the cooler side by the water. Is that heat OK??? I attempted to feed her yesterday and she DID eat. Also she looks and feels totally healthy except i noticed what it looks like a little dry skin around her nose. Is this bad new? or just scales that never fell off during shedding? Thanks for the help...Ricky... Here is a pic of "Lucy"

[Windridge Kennels]

That is a beautiful snake!

[Spaniard]

Welcome to the Site!

Very pretty snake you just got there, I hope we'll be able to help you out in getting everything set up.

First question is what are you using to measure your temps. A digital thermometer? Or one of the radial ones that attach directly to the glass?

Are you using a thermostat to control the power output coming from your lamp and UTH?

Are you using a glass tank or a plastic tub?

Your warm side temperatures are too low providing that your measurements are accurate, you'll want to get them up to the 90-92 degree range. Theres a few ways you can accomplish this depending on the type of enclosure you are using.

[West Coast Jungle]

Shoot for 90-92 warm and 80-84 cool and dont forget about humidity around 50%.

[rc1988]

Sorry i was not more specific, i have a 20 gallon long with a UTH heater and a 60 watt bulb. The thermometer says 83 degrees on the warm side and around 78 on the cool side....Should i get a bulb with a higher wattage or do you think that the thermometer is inaccurate. Its not a digital one or anything. Also should i worry about the little dry skin matter around her nose? it looks like some of it actually went away but she seems to be healthy and she DID eat yesterday. Tomarrow is the first time i am going to hold her! thanks for the help

[colemaj]

Alright buddy, it looks like you got a petco bp. Some people snub them, but I absolutely love mine. She's never had any problem eating and is the friendliest BP i've ever dealt with. Anyway, if you do and you got the snake set up, here's what you do.

Get two identical hides, one on each side, water in the middle. Get an accurite thermometer with probe from walmart and put the probe on the glass on top of the heat pad. Put the actual thermometer on the cool side. Use a lamp dimmer to make sure that hot probe doesn't ever go over 98/100 or you'll burn your snake. This will make the heat at the top of the substrate about 92. To keep your temps up, if you don't have the money to spring for a Ceramic heat emitter, go get some aluminum foil tape and tape up the screen top. Make sure to keep your temps and humidity right and it'll be great. Good luck! Oh yeah, handle him/her minimally until about a week or so then feed and start handling 48 hours after you feed.

[DSGB]

Alright buddy, it looks like you got a petco bp. \

what makes you think that? that snake looks to plump to be from petco.

btw. pretty snake nice blushing on that guy. and welcome to the forum. with the help of this site you should have a very healthy and happy snake. cheers.

[rc1988]

Yes she is certainly not from Petco! I bought her from a reputable breeder at a local reptile show. Anyway i think tommarow i am going to bump up from a 60 watt bulb to a 75 watt. Considering at the basking side i am getting 83degrees and 79 on the cooler side. I am also getting a higher end digital thermometer. By the way i am using an under tank heater.... Any feedback on why it looks like there is a little bit of dry skin on where her nose would be??? It looks like a little came off but she IS eating...I really appreciate all the help!!!

[Spaniard]

Piece of skin on the nose could be left over from a shed, I personally wouldn't worry about it. A good digital thermometer is a good idea :jb:

If you're not using some form or thermostat or rheostat you should also consider getting one of those. It is much easier to manipulate the environment of your tank when you have a way to control heat output from your UTH; much safer for your snake as well.

Good Luck!

[Texas Dan]

If you have a UTH (under tank heater), you NEED a thermostat. From what I know (which isn't very much) most UTHs get up to about 130+. Mine did, and I wouldn't get a cheap thermostat. You need to spend the money here if you skimp out on everything else.

Herpstat is great! I've heard helix's are good as well as ranco. I think people use rancos more for racks and incubators.. correct me if I'm wrong..

Welcome to the ball python world.