New BP Owner

[rrupp1179]

OK so here it goes. I am a new BP owner. She (I say she because I am guessing lol) has been in our family for less than a week. I have never owned a snake and all my knowledge comes from research online and reading a book lol!!!

I haven't held her yet. Being completely honest, I am a little nervous. My BP was intended to be a pet for my daughter. I don't want my daughter to be the one to pick the BP up out of the cage so I need to learn more about how to handle her and how to do it safely. I can't expect her to handle the BP until I can do it with confidence and safely. I am trying to be responsible lol!!!

I believe that I have set up her environment properly. She is thriving and comes out in the evening to move around and soak in her water. However, I am having a hard time keeping the temps up in the tank. I am looking for a couple of suggestions on that topic as well.

I am open to any suggestions and comments. I love my pets and hope to have my BP in my family for a long time. I want to enjoy her and have her be a part of the family.....

[sjsexotics]

well basically they are nothing to be scard of the bite itself truthfully does not hurt.
so what you can do is make sure the snake knows you are there by touching it before you pick it up then then just let her crawl through your hands and do not restrain her while holding

[Argentra]

I let my shy girl know I'm 'coming' by tapping the top of her hide (vibrations) and then lifting it slowly and stroking her back a bit before lifting her. This is more for her feelings than mine, since it's true that a bite doesn't hurt (unless it's a feeding bite, and then it's usually your fault for smelling like dinner).

Maybe we could see some pictures or a list of how you have things set up? That way we could help you make absolutely sure everything is top notch!

And WELCOME!

[rrupp1179]

Ok so I have tried to post pics of the setup....I hope that I did it right.

So I have two hide rocks...one of which is a kleenex box...is that ok??? I placed the thermometer/humidity thing in the middle (i know i lack in the technical term lol). I also placed a larger bowl of water in the middle because the one that came with the tank was VERY shallow. She has two lamps...one which was for day and the other night.

The temp is getting low at night with the night lamp on and i can't get the temp to go above 80 during the day with the day light. I also have a hard time keeping the humidity about 70%.

I don't want ppl to think I am an idiot. I am just a serious pet owner that needs a little help and wanted to get advice from ppl that have cared for BPs....

Thank you for any advice you can give

[Mochelem]

Noone is going to think your an idiot, i have seen setups look way worse than what you have.

I do see some things I would change, the dial type thermometers and hygrometers are not accurate, Get a digital with a probe, they have them at Wal Mart for $10, what you need to moniter is the substrate temp on the warm side a good place to put the probe is on the floor under the hide.

If your having problems with heating, I would add a UTH, and either a thermostat or a rheostat.

[rrupp1179]

ok i will pick up the probe thermometer today...any specific place that i should put the probe (lmao..sorry had to laugh about that one haha)?

and a UTH?? break that one down for me please??

what do you think about the kleenex box...she never goes in it. Should i get another rock like the other one?

[Wh00h0069]

I suggest purchasing / using a snake hook to remove her from her enclosure. Once she is out, switch her over to your hands. The reason that I recommend this is that snakes sometimes feel threatened if they feel cornered. Some are also protective of their enclosure. Once out they calm right down.

You also said she is soaking. You may want to check for mites. Many snakes from pet stores have mites. If you see little black dots in her water after she soaks, or see little black dots on you hand after handling then she was mites. If she does then you will need to treat her.

Temps and humidity are difficult to control, especially in an aquarium, which is what a lot of keepers keep them in. One way to do this is to put something on most of the top of the cage, like a piece of Plexiglas. This will help to hold in heat and humidity.

Hope this helps.

[rrupp1179]

I'm changing her water everyday. I haven't notice anything yet....but I will definitely keep an eye out

Thank you for your help.

I heard that the loop is sometimes the safest way to remove the BP from the tank. We will have to try that too since this is my first snake I don't want to be so preoccupied with her biting me that I am afraid to take her out and handle her.

One more thing I forgot to ask before is...do a lot of BP owners feed in a seperate area?

[Mochelem]

UTH is an Under Tank Heater, it heats the floor of the tank, this will keep temps up even at night....

Also Ball Pythons are naturally a docile snake, I wouldnt be too concearned about biting, if it does bite you it doesnt hurt, just kinda shocks you...

Also it is ideal to have 2 identical hides, that way the snake doesnt play favorites with one or the other and goes to the side that the temps are right...

[scoobyark]

ok i will pick up the probe thermometer today...any specific place that i should put the probe (lmao..sorry had to laugh about that one haha)?

and a UTH?? break that one down for me please??

what do you think about the kleenex box...she never goes in it. Should i get another rock like the other one?

A UTH is an under tank heater you can get them at the pet store or online I use www.reptilebasics.com. And you will need a thermostat to control the heat so your snake doesn't get burned.
The heat lamp can make keeping the humidity at the right level a problem.

I would also ditch the kleenex box and get a hide similar to the one you already have.

Mochelem beat me to it!