How's my snake tank?

[SecurityStacey]

Hello!

I was hoping I could get any opinions or suggestions for Stan's tank.

The substrate is reptile bark (with papertowels under it because he kept burrowing to the glass but with just paper towels he didn't seem as happy). He has the light on top which I sometimes use but his main source of heat is a uth on the left side.

There is olive green cardboard taped on to each side, I'm not sure you can tell that in the picture.

[420boa]

might want to get another hide.

[missi182]

It looks great, but your snakey boy will want to cool down sometimes-and feel secure doing it. The second hide should go right about where he is laying. If you can fit the same log hide on the other side, i would suggest you do that or get two identical/slightly smaller hides. Is your uth on a dimmer or thermostat? Looking good so far!

[missi182]

I just came across my bp-care summary, if you have not gone through the care stickies yet it may be helpful to you.

BP BASIC needs...

1) To measure your humidity and temperature accurately - Use DIGITAL gauges (stick on gauges are NOT reliable, and a waste of money unfortunately) The most cost friendly device you can purchase is an accurite digital thermometer/hygrometer from wal-mart for $12. The gauge does not have to be this brand, but something with an outdoor/indoor measurement will work because this means the device uses a probe.

2) You need a belly temperature (right on the glass under the hide on one side of the tank) measured by a probe (which comes with something like an accurite) of 90 - 93 degrees. This is where your bp will spend his time digesting and hanging out A LOT. A UTH (under tank heater) costs about $20 at a pet store but MUST have a control.

The safest and most reliable type of control is a thermostat ($70 - $300) but the minimum requirement for a control is something like a lamp dimmer (a rheostat, which is something that must be manually adjusted). Lowes sells piggyback lamp dimmers for about $10.

3) You need a hide on the cool side of the tank as well as the warm side. The low side should have a belly temperature or ambient temperature in the low 80's. This can be achieved through a heat lamp with the correct wattage bulb, or simply a nice warm room.

4) HUMIDITY = very important - just as important as temperature. 55-60% humidity is required for proper shedding.

5) A sturdy water dish with fresh water can be put anywhere in the tank, if placed over a UTH (under tank heater) it can help raise the humidity.

6) Substrate can be anything from newspaper or cage liners to aspen. Cedar is TOXIC. Do not use cedar. CYPRESS mulch is good - don't mix it up with cedar.

7) Security - ball pythons are shy. They hide more than 80% of the time so if your snake is hiding a lot, thats a good thing. Cover three sides of your tank with paper/aquarium background - what ever you would like to help your snake feel less exposed.

[SecurityStacey]

I have an identical hide... just much smaller. I had it in there but on another site someone had mentioned that there wasn't enough flat space for Stan and that I should take it out. I could get an identical one and I think it would *just* squeeze in between the side and "jungle gym" - in the meantime I put the small one in.

I have a digital probe thermometer - my hot sides measures about 94, my cool about 82 and the ambient temp is usually 74-78. That is glad press and seal on top (It looks kind of silly) but I have that covering 1/2 - 2/3 the top and my humidity stays right about 55-62%.

When I had the smaller hide over there he never went in it, he just kind of hung out around it - that is another reason I took it out. He is over there hanging out even without a hide.

[missi182]

I have an identical hide... just much smaller. I had it in there but on another site someone had mentioned that there wasn't enough flat space for Stan and that I should take it out. I could get an identical one and I think it would *just* squeeze in between the side and "jungle gym" - in the meantime I put the small one in.

I have a digital probe thermometer - my hot sides measures about 94, my cool about 82 and the ambient temp is usually 74-78. That is glad press and seal on top (It looks kind of silly) but I have that covering 1/2 - 2/3 the top and my humidity stays right about 55-62%.

When I had the smaller hide over there he never went in it, he just kind of hung out around it - that is another reason I took it out. He is over there hanging out even without a hide.

The glad press and and seal works great for humidity, who cares what it looks like

Now the hides, he may not use them until he is settled in. New enclosures are a cause for exploration. Putting the smaller one in is a good idea for now, but the reason we/I suggest identical hides (identical in SIZE most importantly) is that when your bp does calm down and decide he would like to hide - he will choose the most secure place, wherever it is in the tank. This means if he needs to warm up but his more secure, tight fitting/comfortable hide is on the cool side, thats where he will go.

It may not seem incredibly important now, but the little things like that if ignored, cause stress. Stress causes problems like not eating, odd behavior and even illness.

I know that is an earful lol, but I wanted to explain it because I did not understand at first why everyone said it was needed. It wasn't until my bp never left one side of the tank did I switch to identical hides. After a week he spent almost equal time in both.

Your doing great and your ahead of where many people start out with bps!

[Argentra]

You need to CHANGE the hides. Those half logs are not good for BPs since they don't surround them. Some of the best hides are the cheapest: plastic bowls and plant pots.

Also, you might want to think about changing that white water dish to something heavier and shallower, especially if it's only in there to boost humidity. The more surface area the better, but you want it to be heavy enough to not be tipped over.

Otherwise, not bad. Make sure your UTH is controlled by a t-stat eventually if it's not now(didn't notice) and it's lookin good.

[missi182]

Im just going to admit that I want to brag a bit about my new set-up, but at the same time I am posting it to help give you some ideas.

My bp is almost a year old, and yes - those are flowerpots - I do not need to cover the top because my house is very very humid right now

[SecurityStacey]

I'll look to getting some flower pots or something, I'm not really worried what it looks like, I just want Stan to be happy, the log is what the reptile store sold him with, I'm just learning now that they have no idea what they are talking about! I'm getting black posterboard to put on the back.

[Ranger]

missi182,

What kind of set-up (brand name) is that, and what are the dimensions?