Need a recommendation

[cshouston]

Hi all. So, my new ball is doing wonderfully. He eats like a champ, loves his new exo-terra hides (I returned the half-log ), and is very active in the evenings. I finally got the temperature gradients just right with my t-stat and dimmers, too.

I've noticed that he loves climbing in the fake plant I have set up on the cool side. The problem is that he tips it over every time he gets into it. I've seen this at Petco: http://www.petco.com/product/9610/Kr...-Branches.aspx however, I'm not sure it's really big or stable enough, especially when he starts getting larger. Can anyone recommend something I can order which would be better for my ball? He does seem to enjoy climbing so I want to provide him with the opportunity without him constantly tipping over!

(of course, if I could just find a branch from a local park, sterilize it somehow, and wedge that into a corner, that'd be cool too!)

Also, in the same room albeit completely across, about 16 feet away and about 4 feet higher up, I have a tank with Roborovski hamsters. Should I be concerned about perpetually "pre-scenting" the room, causing him to strike at me more often when I try to handle him? Thanks.

[Kaorte]

I have kept mice and snakes in the same room and I have never noticed a difference in their temperament. On feeding day they go pretty nuts though.

As for the climbing branch: When I first go my ball pythons, they did a lot of climbing, now that they are older and heavier, they don't climb nearly as much. I think that branch thing from petco would be fine although I wouldn't want to pay $15 for it.
Maybe you could try something from reptile supply?
http://www.reptilesupply.com/index.p...ts&cPath=31_56

If you want to use something you found outside, make sure to bake it in the oven on 250* for 15-30 minutes. Or if you can, boil it.

[cshouston]

Thanks a bunch.

One other thing I forgot... what gram scale do you all use to weigh your snakes? I figure I should invest in one of those at some point.

Good news, as well... my bp just took a f/t hopper without a second thought. Struck from the mouth of his hide and dragged it inside.

[Kaorte]

I use a food scale I got from target. Make sure you get one with a "tare button" so you can put your snake in a bowl to weigh them. Mine was like $25 and goes up to 7000grams.