New owner, first time, opinions?

[TheMadLeper]

I just got my month old female ball python today. I set up her tank and i dunno if it's good enough, here are several pictures.









I have a Reptitherm heating pad stuck to the bottom of the tank, it was recomended by the breeder, it is adhered to the underside of the tank on the right, beneath the cardboard house. The thermometer reads 80 flat. All of this was reccomended by the breeder i got it from. He takes his snakes to shows and raises tons of pythons. He also knows my father very well and got me a good deal on the snake, so i feel he is a reliable when he says that im good with all that.

After readign some care sheets i hear things about humidity and that it is better to invest in a digital thermometer as opposed to the one i have. I read things about basking heat, and humidity. This is my first snake and i'm not sure if i'm doing things right.

Thoughts on my tank? Things i need to change? Fix? I know i need to put something in there for her to climb, i'm currently looking for something.

[starmom]

Yea!!!! Congrats on your new snake!!!!
Here's a good 'sticky' that will give lots of info on snakes in tanks: http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56846

It's cool that you got the snake from your dad's friend and I can't wait to see pictures of her!! You'll want to leave her alone as much as you can for the next week or two so she can settle in.

Here's a couple of things that I notice:
-I don't see how the temps are being controlled. Do you have a thermostat?
-The sticky dial thing is measuring your temps (poorly) up at that height and the snake is much lower than that height. Yikes!! I think your snake is cold!! They like their warm side to be at about 92F and their cooler end to be about 82F (you'd measure these temps on the glass, under the substrate.)
-You'll need 2 hides in there and they need to be really little. Your snake is very much a baby and they need tiny little hides.
-If you cover the sides and back of the tank with dark paper (cover the outside) she'll feel a lot more secure.
-You'll want to get the digital thermometer/hygrometer (Lowes) so that you can keep the humidity at about 55%. This is very important; as important as keeping the right temps!
- What will you feed her? Live? Frozen/thawed? Mice? Rats? Little ones like yours will need little prey items every 5 days.
-Lastly, your little snake does not need anything to climb on. Ball pythons don't really climb very much and she is way too little- she'd fall!! She just needs to be warm and humid and feel safe in her hides and be fed

I'm so glad that you found this forum and are asking for feedback. This means that your snake is very lucky to have you as her keeper and that you are taking responsibility for your snake- good job!