Looking forward to getting a BP but had questions!

[word]

Hello! I'm a new member and I am really looking forward to getting myself an Albino Ball Python. I plan to purchase at the NARBC Show in Anaheim in September so I'm taking this time to do the research and get her enclosure ready....

I've already done a lot of research, but there were some questions that weren't answered. I know that a lot of my questions will be based on preferences, so feel free to give any input!

Thanks!

How much should I be looking to spend on an albino?
Are there different morphs that I should be aware of?
I currently know of the Normal Albino, Caramel Albino, and Lavendar Albino.

Does the type of wood I use for the enclosure matter?
I was thinking of just using "normal" wood and plywood that I would find from Home Depot or Lowes.

Will the type of stain (for the wood enclosure) I use affect my snake?
Should I stain the inside?

What kind of substrate do you recommend between aspen, Eco-Earth, and CareFresh?
I want the enclosure to have a natural look and I like its dark color so I am leaning towards Eco-Earth.
And when I am cleaning, should I just remove the spots that have been deficated and urated on? or replace all of the substrate in the enclosure?
How often should I clean the entire enclosure?

Are halogen or LED lights ok if the UTHs provide enough heat?
What do you think about LEDs?
For nighttime viewing, would you suggest a certain color? does it matter?
Are there any colors that an Albino looks especially awesome in?

Have any of you achieved proper temperatures using just UTHs?

Should the hiding spot be located in the hot or cool spot?
Do BPs climb often? How much driftwood will I need?

Will I need a fan? or will ventilation holes suffice?

Has anyone had a good experience purchasing online?
If you did, what was the site?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated... Please reply, even if you can only answer a few of my questions... Any tips would also be greatly appreciated...

Thanks!
-word

[Kaorte]

How much should I be looking to spend on an albino? Females are something like $800 and males are in the $600 range
Are there different morphs that I should be aware of?
I currently know of the Normal Albino, Caramel Albino, and Lavendar Albino. There are plenty more morphs then that But if you are just looking for albinos there are spider albinos, high contrast albinos..the list goes on.

Does the type of wood I use for the enclosure matter?
I was thinking of just using "normal" wood and plywood that I would find from Home Depot or Lowes. Yes, do not use Pine or Cedar, they are toxic. Anything else should be fine. Birch is the cheapest I think and its fine to use.

Will the type of stain (for the wood enclosure) I use affect my snake?
Should I stain the inside? If you use a stain, make sure to seal it with something snake safe (not sure about what kind)

What kind of substrate do you recommend between aspen, Eco-Earth, and CareFresh? Aspen, I hate the idea of cleaning dirt.

And when I am cleaning, should I just remove the spots that have been deficated and urated on? or replace all of the substrate in the enclosure? I usually spot clean urates and pee (once every few days)
How often should I clean the entire enclosure? I do a full clean out when they crap all over the place.

Are halogen or LED lights ok if the UTHs provide enough heat? Ball pythons don't need additional lighting. If you just want like decorative lighting, LED(I think?) or flourecent lighting is fine. Halogens give off a crap ton of heat.
What do you think about LEDs? they are pretty in my dorm room.
For nighttime viewing, would you suggest a certain color? does it matter? moonlight bulbs or red bulbs, anything else will bother your snake at night.
Are there any colors that an Albino looks especially awesome in? Dunno red or moonlight I would suspect, lol.

Have any of you achieved proper temperatures using just UTHs? Yes.

Should the hiding spot be located in the hot or cool spot? Both, identical for each side.
Do BPs climb often? Not really. Juveniles might, but not adults really.
How much driftwood will I need? All you need is something rough for them to rub on when they shed. You don't need oodles of drift wood or anything

Will I need a fan? or will ventilation holes suffice? Vent holes are fine

Has anyone had a good experience purchasing online?
If you did, what was the site? Many people will agree that 8ballpythons, BHB and heathers herps are great places to buy snakes online. There are always a bunch of ads on this site for great breeders as well

Hope this helped a bit.

[word]

Thanks for the prompt reply Kaorte... here are a few follow ups...

What kind of substrate do you recommend between aspen, Eco-Earth, and CareFresh? Aspen, I hate the idea of cleaning dirt.
I dont like that idea either, but I like Eco-Earth's color, would it be safe to mix the 2?

How much should I be looking to spend on an albino? Females are something like $800 and males are in the $600 range
Holy Crap! Even if they're babies? I'm thinking of getting it as young as possible. Should I expect this price only at a pet store? or are these prices typical with breeders and expos as well?

I saw late December 08 Het Albinos for $250 on this site: http://www.rcreptiles.com/available....thons-for-sale


Are there different morphs that I should be aware of?
I currently know of the Normal Albino, Caramel Albino, and Lavendar Albino. There are plenty more morphs then that But if you are just looking for albinos there are spider albinos, high contrast albinos..the list goes on.
Will I be able to know this when I purchase the little thing?

Are halogen or LED lights ok if the UTHs provide enough heat? Ball pythons don't need additional lighting. If you just want like decorative lighting, LED(I think?) or flourecent lighting is fine. Halogens give off a crap ton of heat.
If I was able to maintain temps with UTHs, then I was gonna use LEDs because of their relatively low heat emission. What I didnt realize was how expensive that would be, so I've decided to go with halogens. I'm gonna use the little ones:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50119351
Since they give off so much heat, I'm obviously gonna have to compensate on the UTHs right?

For nighttime viewing, would you suggest a certain color? Does it matter? moonlight bulbs or red bulbs, anything else will bother your snake at night.
Are there any colors that an Albino looks especially awesome in? Dunno red or moonlight I would suspect, lol.
I've read that in addition to red and moonlight bulbs, then you can use blue and green... is this not true?

I've also created some plans for an enclosure... I'll post them later on... I've still got to put all the different pics that I have together and put a little more thought into the wiring...

Please please, more responses! a second opinion always helps :]

[Kaorte]

You can mix asepn and eco earth but I personally wouldn't. I think the only reason to use eco earth would be if you have humidity problems which you probably won't have in a custom enclosure.

Yep, Albinos are still pretty pricey. If you really want a color morph, you could go for a Pastel, they run from 100-200.

A het albino is not a visual albino. It looks like a normal but carries the gene for the color morph albino. That is why it is less expensive.

You will know what kind of animal you are getting. Most of the albino combos are *really* expensive though. You will be looking at well over $800 for most of them.

Even those tiny halogens are enough to start a fire if they touch anything. You would not be able to put these in the enclosure. I am not sure if these are able to run on a rheostat or proportional thermostat (which it must be on).

All I have heard is Red and Moonlight. I wouldn't venture into green or blue we really don't know much about ball pythons vision so I wouldn't try it.

I am looking forward to seeing plans for your enclosure. I am working on the designs for a rack currently

[word]

So here are the plans... I realized that I shouldnt consolidate them, otherwise, they'd get too small. I haven't done any of the wiring because I'm not 100% on the lighting yet.
There are some notes that need to be made about my plans though. First, I didn't specify how I will secure the glass panes... I was just too lazy to put it up. Ask me if you want to know. There will be additional pieces that will be implemented in order to prevent escape. The back will be made of plywood with enough space at the bottom for access to the cubby created by the glass and plywood for the UTHs. To anyone passing through this thread: Please don't grill me and say that my plans won't work, come to me with a solution, not a problem...

[word]

I also just saw coconut husk chips... what do you think of those?

[rabernet]

Keep in mind that wood is going to be very hard to disinfect, and even with sealing can be pourous.

As mentioned, het albino's carry the gene for albinism, but are not visual. Pastels and spiders are the two currently more affordable morphs on the market and mojaves are starting to get into their price range as well. The current price on visual albinos is a steal compared to just four years ago when they were over a few grand each.

One other thing to consider - ball pythons are nocturnal, and having light shining on them, even in the day time "could" be stressful to the animal, it all depends on the individual animal, and if you get an albino - it is already going to have light sensitivities to its eyes. Ball pythons are a poor choice if you're hoping for a display snake.

When content, you shouldn't see them much at all during the day, as they should be curled up tight in a hide, and only come out in the evening hours for a drink of water and a casual cruise around the enclosure. Anything more than that, or restless activity is a cause for concern (indication of a stressed animal) if it continues past the first week of ownership. Stress leads to feeding refusals, leads to lowered immunity, leads to higher chances of RI's, etc.

It's awesome that you're doing all this research now!

[word]

Thanks for the input Robin. I wasn't hoping for a display snake, I want a BP in general because they are docile and easy to handle, traits that are ideal as this is my first herp. I really just wanted an albino because my girlfriend ;]
Anyway...
How would I actually go about disinfecting wood for my enclosure? I didn't run into anything about it as I was browsing through how-to's on making custom enclosures.

And for the lighting issue, I do understand that the BP requires something like a 12hr on and 12hr off lighting phase... but don't all enclosures include a light source?

[Ben Biscy]

not all enclosures have lights, no. ambient daytime lighting is just fine. as for nite lights, i've used red, blue/moon, green, and black with good results. for disinfecting and cleanliness, i'd suggest plywood sprayed with bleach and aired/dryed well, inside of the enclosure lined with linoleum or similar, seams caulked with silicone.

i do not have a picture atm, sorry

[Wh00h0069]

You should easily be able to find an albino in the $500 price range at the show. As for substrate, newspaper, aspen, and cypress mulch is what most breeders use.