Beginner, Yeah... Another One

[gkman]

Hey everyone, I just got my Ball Python a couple days ago, and he seems great. I've read many of these posts but there are a couple things I'm either confused about or have overlooked. He is only a month or two old so i have him in a tank with fine humidity and temp, but I really want to switch over to tub for practicality. I ordered Flexwatt, thermostat, have my tub, substrate, hides, everything but still have a couple questions:
1. Is Flexwatt safe to put directly onto the plastic (and yes it will be connected to a thermostat)?
2. My tub will be up and rearing to go in a couple days, but i just got him 3 days ago and have not fed him yet (will try f/t tomorrow though). Should I let him get acclimated first, then stress him out again with a new environment or should i move him a couple days after feeding before he gets too comfy?
3. Does roaming at night mean hes hungry or is he just being active?
4. Thanks guys and ill try to put up a picture soon, maybe you can help me name him!

[cinderbird]

- yes, flexwatt is safe to put on plastic as long as it is controlled by a thermostat

- I think feeding him should be your call. if he were mine, i'd try an appropriately sized prey item, and then get your tub set up while hes given the 24-48 hours to digest his food. Then, wait another 5-7 days before trying to feed him again. I would start the acclimation period over again (the 7 day settle in time) once you put him in the new enclosure.

- some activity at night is normal, but frantic activity also during the day could mean that he is stressed for some reason.

and just for other notice, on this website people like to have accurate information about the set ups, actual temps and humidity, not just "fine". And based on your post..his heating element isnt on a thermostat? if this is true its dangerous.

good luck with getting him into his tub

[gkman]

sorry for not adding in more information. What i meant by fine was the usual, 92-04 on hot mid 80's on cool. Humidity at about 50%. I have him on a regular heat pad for now on a rheostat and watching very carefully with a thermometer. I have read all about feeding and what not so it's pretty much all up to him if he wants it. He is nice and cozy in one of his two shelters during the day so i can see he is not too stressed. The question i had about the tank->tub transfer is more about just when I should do it (sooner or later). I realize a change in environment causes much stress so its between prolonged stress (because i just got him and hes not completely settled into his first enclosure) or stress later on (in 2-3 weeks).

[starmom]

94 is a little warm for these snakes. Keeping it at 91-92 is better
I'd go ahead and move him since he's not settled and you just got him anyway. Decide what day you want to feed him on and try on that day. For example, I feed on Thursday's because they'll be digesting and not peeing or pooing over the weekend when I'm at the ranch and my older son is in charge of them (snakes aren't really his thing!) Lots of people feed on Sunday night or Monday so they can have the weekend to hold them. It's just when it is convenient and good for you.

[SatanicIntention]

McKinsey, I know that Adam keeps his snakes at 94-95 and his are doing quite fine. Myself, I keep mine at 94, with the cool side between 83-84.

94 is definitely not too hot.

[JASBALLS]

McKinsey, I know that Adam keeps his snakes at 94-95 and his are doing quite fine. Myself, I keep mine at 94, with the cool side between 83-84.

94 is definitely not too hot.

I think his helix reads that temp.. Inside the bin isnt that high.

[SatanicIntention]

He's said it himself

[gkman]

I'll take the advice just in case and lower it to 92, just in case. I tried feeding a fuzzy tonight seeing as he ate 5 days ago so i thought i would give it a shot. I scented the cage for a good 20 something minutes, heated up the mouse a little more so it was warm to the touch and did the zombie dance for my little guy. I got absolutely nothing, no curiosity whatsoever, completely uninterested. Also the fuzzy seemed much too small so I'm going to up a size next time available. He was on live mice prior to me getting him, which i can continue to do, but its a bit more convenient to just use frozen. I have read many forums on the debate between f/t or live and i dont think i have the heart to stun a mouse by hitting it, but all seem to be OK to what i have read. Any input on to whether i should try again in a couple days with another f/t, or should i just continue with live?
Sorry for being long-winded, just a little concerned and noobish. Thanks for all the input so far though!

[butters!]

if he was on live id stick with live until you get your setup running and he has settled in.trying to get them to switch while being stressed from a new location is enough to make them not eat at all so id stay with live fore now

[starmom]

McKinsey, I know that Adam keeps his snakes at 94-95 and his are doing quite fine. Myself, I keep mine at 94, with the cool side between 83-84.

94 is definitely not too hot.

I understand that everyone has their own sort of theory and I know that old school thinking was to keep the snakes at a higher temp. I also have read and spoken with breeders who keep their snakes at a lower temp.
Adam is a great breeder and I respect what he does and what he says and I also respect others and their long standing education and research into this species.
So, no disrespect intended, but I still believe that a temp of 95 is overdoing it unless they are in a cage and there is an amazing temp gradient.