New Ball Python Owner

[bella]

Just checking in to ensure that I'm doing things right. I've been consulting some experts on other sites, talking to herp vets and a local herp shop but apparently I can't rest till I have all the information possible.

Okay, so my sister apparently didn't get the memo about not buying pets as gifts and bought me a juvenile ball python for graduation.

She bought him from Petco (which I would NOT have) and bought me a kit enclosure. The kit included a 20 long tank (glass on all sides) with a sliding lid with a lock, water dish (which I replaced with a bigger one), wood chip bedding (which I replaced with bed-a-beast), one rock hide, and two 8.5 inch reflector dome lamps.

I have added a log hide, a bunch of vines and leaves, a hunk of slate to partially cover the entrance to his favorite hide so he feels more secure, and two large pieces of driftwood (one arranged to allow him to climb on top of his log to bask - which he does particularly at night - and the other to partially cover his water dish so he feels comfy.

My sister also bought an UTH pad which I have stopped using as my local herp shop experts said not to use it unless I have a super serious thermostat on it, which I don't...and that they just use heat lamps on their balls.

So...I've blacked out three sides of his enclosure with black aquarium liner...made his enclosure totally cozy with lots of stuff...and I'm not handling him except to take him out once a week to attempt to feed...thus far he's not falling for it.

I've had him for about three weeks. For the first two, he never left his hide. But since the last feeding attempt he is coming out and basking and generally looking more comfortable.

I'm keeping his warm side between 85 and 95 degrees on the floor, and his basking spot is probably closer to 100 degrees at the highest point. The humidity on the warm side is 50% and on the cool side it's 65%. The cool side of the enclosure ranges from 70-80 degrees.

So...I'm going to attempt feeding him again on Saturday, and the herp shop recommended in lieu of the mouse on the tongs approach, that I just pop him and the prey item into his rubbermaid (opaque) feeding bin and close the lid and leave him for 2-3 hours. If that doesn't work, they suggested bagging him and the mouse overnight in his enclosure.

Every time I put him back in his enclosure after a feeding attempt he drinks and explores (and yawns which is the cutest thing ever) so I think he's doing okay, just still stressed out.

So...I'm just looking for any advice...I've considered placing his UTH under his water dish where he can't get to it (which is on the cool end of the tank) but I'm afraid that would screw with the humidity...and I just can't afford a thermostat right now...I've already spent like $150 getting him acclimated...

Oh, and here's a picture for you.

I present....Simon Lazarus...

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

I use under the tank heat only on my snakes (or the real Florida outdoor heat ) I have never put it under the dish, as I feel like warm water is just begging to grow nasty bacteria. I just have a thick enough layer of bedding (repti bark usually, but sometimes newspaper) in my tanks so that they're not directly laying on the heating pad right through the glass.

Congrats on your new snake- pretty animal!

[bella]

Oh, forgot to add...I contacted the petco where he was purchased and they had no feeding history on him...all they could tell me is that they feed F/T fuzzies, and they do so every Thursday but couldn't tell me when he last ate.

Also, they guaranteed that he is captive bred (which was a load off my mind)

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

Glad he is captive bred. Mine usually don't eat when I first get them.

I was shocked when last week I had three snakes shipped by mail from out of state, and two of them pounded two mice on their second days here. I consider that remarkable.

[bella]

Whoa, yea, I'd consider that remarkable as well!

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

It was. I wasn't even going to try feeding them but I fed everyone else and I figured what they heck, you know? And be darned if that little pied and my new black pastel boy didn't nail those mice right away. Woohoo! But my pastel girl did not... I will try again next week... she's definitely healthy so I am not worried.

Your snake is lucky to have found a caring owner who is seeking info and taking responsibility. I don't think many pet market snakes are so lucky.

[bella]

Yea, I agree...especially since he was purchased duing the 'ball python sale'. My sister had intended on buying me a corn snake, but since the balls were on sale for $10 less than the corns, and since I <3 balls, she bought him for me...And really, I'm just thankful that he's not in the pet store anymore...their cage setup is so wrong it's not even funny.

Congrats on the new babies! I'm sure youre little girl will turn around soon!

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

Yeah, it really irks me to see snakes in pet stores to be honest. Maybe it's because I come from the dog world and the concept of selling puppies in pet stores sickens the vast majority of dog lovers.

Live animals should not be impulse purchases! Your snake is definitely lucky Keep sharing pics. I am sure more experienced keepers than I am will join in with more tips. I have quite a few snakes and they are all thriving, but I am by no means an expert.

[bella]

I agree...I'm a total animal SUCKER...and it makes me nuts to see them in chain pet stores. We have a local shop that I trust, but they are highly responsible with their animals and with who they are adopted out to...which is a rarity these days.

I totally appreciate any and all advice at this point! I just want to make sure I'm going about this the right way because all my previous experience is in pets is of the furred variety. :-)

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

Yup, me too! We did get a pastel male from a shop, but it is a small, private shop and they care very much about their animals. They knew we'd give him a good home.