I have a ton of questions....

[Darkness07]

Ok, so I've read ALOT of the threads and picked up quite a few tips on how to make my current setup better. This is going to be long as I have alot of questions, so I apologize ahead of time. I thought I was prepared and did 2 months of research prior to getting her and even set up the tank to get the right temps before I got her, but I didn't find THIS site until a week ago.

I just got my BP 2 weeks ago. She is a 7 month old Normal Female named Isis. Thanks to you guys and all the info, I was able to recognize her going into her first shed cycle with me last week. She just finished the shed cycle a few days ago and looks really good. I'll post pics soon.

I have a few questions still though. I wanted to get a bigger tank because I figured I would have to buy one anyways, I currently have a 40 gallon tank and talked to several breeders and they said that it was ok. I'm sorry I dont have a picture of the setup as it is right now, but I'll get one if you guys want.

My temps seem good. I have 2 hides (one on the hot and one on the cool) although they are not identical. She stays in the cave one on the hot side and I have a log on the other side and will go and get the second cave and replace it today. The temp on the hot side is 88-90 deg and with to Ceramic bulbs. The temp on the other side is 75-80.

Is that too cool? I dont have a stand for my tank and so I didnt want to get UTH's yet but by reading what is written, I feel like I should take off one of the heat lights and only use one of them. I would place the UTH on the hot side and place the heat lamp on the cooler side. I just felt like the lamp would provide more heat than the UTH?? Also is it a good idea to use the UTH on one side and the heat lamp on the other?

Second, since I live in Colorado, humidity is a hard thing to keep up. I have heard mixed reviews from, the humidity isn't that big of deal unless they are going into shed from the humidity should always be between 50-60%. I have read that in several BP manuals and books. It sounds like a humidifier and pump is the right way to go? Also I've noticed people covering the top with foil and that seems like a great inexpensive idea, so I will try that as well.

Also inside the tank I have Zoo Med Forest Floor
http://www.petco.com/product/6347/Zo...r-Bedding.aspx

I Have a large water dish directly in the middle of the heat gradients, I have a large (oven baked and sandblasted) piece of d riftwood from the breeder as well.

I left her alone to acclimate for 8 days and didn't handle her. The only time I picked her up during that time was to inspect her and check to see if she was indeed going into shed.

Other than the above, she seems fine, but doesn't seem to come out of her hide even at night. I have started to pick her up a bit and she is calm. She hides her head at first and then opens up and sits on my lap. I usually put her back in after about 15 minutes. I've only done this 2x out of the past 5 days. I also tried to feed her once last week but she was in the middle of shed and that was my fault for not knowing earlier that she won't eat during.

I guess i'm just wanting to bounce ideas off you guys to see if I'm doing things right or if I could change some things and do it differently? I learned so much more from here, that it spawned all these questions in my head.

So sorry if this seems disorganized and random. Let me know if I need to clear things up a bit and thanks for your help.

[MasonC2K]

Asking questions is always good. The more the better!

I wanted to get a bigger tank because I figured I would have to buy one anyways, I currently have a 40 gallon tank and talked to several breeders and they said that it was ok. I'm sorry I dont have a picture of the setup as it is right now, but I'll get one if you guys want.

Unless your BP grows to 6ft, you will never need bigger than 40G.

The temp on the other side is 75-80.

Is that too cool?

Not at all. Your temps are fine.

I dont have a stand for my tank and so I didnt want to get UTH's yet but by reading what is written, I feel like I should take off one of the heat lights and only use one of them. I would place the UTH on the hot side and place the heat lamp on the cooler side. I just felt like the lamp would provide more heat than the UTH?? Also is it a good idea to use the UTH on one side and the heat lamp on the other?

This is something you'll have to play with and find what's right for your environment. WHat I do is have a UTH under the warm side with a thermostat to make sure it doesn't spike to 100 and a 85W infrared light that goes over the water bowl and part of the cool side to make ssure it doesn't drop below 75. Snakes can't see infrared so it doesn't bother them to have it on all the time.

Second, since I live in Colorado, humidity is a hard thing to keep up. I have heard mixed reviews from, the humidity isn't that big of deal unless they are going into shed from the humidity should always be between 50-60%. I have read that in several BP manuals and books. It sounds like a humidifier and pump is the right way to go? Also I've noticed people covering the top with foil and that seems like a great inexpensive idea, so I will try that as well.

Again, something you'll have to play with but my cheap trick is to take wash cloths and wet them, ring them out, then lay them on top of the screen.

The real tell of the tape though is how your snake sheds. Hydrometer can be wrong and can go bad. So if it says 40% humidity but the snakes has a complete shed, then you're fine.

Other than the above, she seems fine, but doesn't seem to come out of her hide even at night.

Sometimes you'll see them. Sometimes you won't. I know mine will sometimes change hides in the day while I am at work. And I have seen her out at 3am when I got up to go to the bathroom. They come out but not necesarilly while you are around.

I have started to pick her up a bit and she is calm. She hides her head at first and then opens up and sits on my lap.

Yeah, once they get used to you, you'll like never have a "ball" python again.

I hope I have helped in some way. There are other more experienced people here who can help you as well.

[gmcclurelssu]

seems like you have addressed all the major things that were advised to me when i got my snake a couple months ago. like mason said, some things you will just have to tinker with until your tank is just right, but your definantly in better shape than i was when i started. good job on the research

[mikedahitman87]

I personally wouldn't have gone with a 40gallon for a 7 month old. Seems kind of big.

[starmom]

I personally wouldn't have gone with a 40gallon for a 7 month old. Seems kind of big.

It is big, but with enough hides and plants and 'stuff' it could work. Also, if the snake seems relaxed and is eating and sleeping and not seeming stressed, then it is fine! I have 2 females who went into cages (2x3) when they were about 7 months and they have always done very well. I also have a female who is still in a 16qt tub and she is 9 months old!! Just depends on the snake and the needs of the individual snake.

[SatanicIntention]

I have an 02 Hypo male who is 900g in a 15qt tub. He's comfortable.

40 gallon is really too big for such a small snake, not to mention hard to heat and keep humidified. 10-15 gallon or 20 long. Much easier and much less expensive in regards to electricity usage. 40 gallons have alot of air space and if the room isn't heated, you're going to have humidity issues with all of those lights needed to keep the air temp in the 80s.

[starmom]

To the OP: If you're considering purchasing another enclosure for the snake at some point, I would urge you to check out reptile cages. These are not tanks but are display cages made specifically for reptiles. I get mine from Reptile Basics and I love them!! I live in the high desert of central Oregon where our typical humidity runs about 25-35% year round (dryer in the winter). It is not a struggle to keep the humidity between 50-60% with these cages.

I also have snakes in tubs, but, honestly, I would rather keep them in display cages with some sort of enriched environment for them. I figure since they run on instincts (basically) the least I can do for them is encourage the use of those instincts!

So, this is just really to put a bee in your bonnet, as it were!

[Darkness07]

Thanks you guys for all the good advice and opinions and encouragement as well

So before I went out and completely bought another tank, I tried to redecorate it a bit to make it not seem so intimidating.

I will post pics of the after product. The before was my tank with all sides exposed, in my living room floor, with some driftwood, the main hiding spot on the hot side and smaller water dish, the main dish in the middle, and a log on the other side.

Here what I did to try to help Isis feel more at home and better about the surroundings per some of the suggestions:
1. Relocated the tank from the living room to on top of my dresser in my bedroom.
2. Covered the back of the tank with an aquarium cover.
3. Bought another piece of driftwood for the colder side along with plants for both sides.
4. Bought another hiding spot, not completely identical, but it would hopefully work.

After I finished remodeling her tank and then placed her back inside, she immediately went to the new hiding spot on the colder side. (my room is warmer than the other parts of my apartment, so i noticed the temp on the cool side in the range of 80-82 and the hot side on 90-95)

The new hiding spot is a bit smaller than the other one and it looked like she wasn't going to fit at first but she got in. To help her feel a bit more secure, I placed the log in front of the entrance to help create a bit more security.

Well check out the photos and tell me what you think, they are in my gallery. Sorry about the quality, its from my camera phone. When the picture was taken, she was in the upper right corner inside the green hiding spot.

What do you guys think about the log? I think she likes it, as before she always stayed under the clay hide on the left. I'll post pictures of her later this week too. I didn't want to take her out as she just got comfortable and didn't wan to stress her out.

Thanks again everyone!! I'm hoping she feels better about this!

[starmom]

I Love It!! I think it looks cozy and she has plenty of hides to choose from and it is very cozy for her and fun to look at for you!! Good job!! Now, leave her be for a while so she can feel safe and secure in her new home. Take this time to monitor the temps and adjust if necessary. Great job