Soon-to-be BP owner with some questions

[JoshR324]

Hey everyone,

I'll be picking up my first BP when the NARBC show comes to town at the beginning of September. I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row right now as far as housing and heating goes so the snake has a nice home immediately rather than trying to fidget around with stuff after the snake is already in there. Anyway, a couple questions...

1. I read the thread about keeping a ball in the same enclosure for life. It seems there's a split decision between the 20g and 30g long tanks. For a male, people seem to think the 20g is fine. I plan to get a male and I came across this enclosure here, http://reptilebasics.com/Mini-Cage-p-16232.html. The surface area of the cage is actually a little bigger than a 20g, but not quite that of a 30g tank. Do you think this cage would be fine for a baby? I'd like to pick up a 2009 hatchling at the show. I know a lot of you just keep babies in tiny tubs, but for me that's out of the question unfortunately.

2. I live in Southern California. Although it doesn't really get cold here, even during the heart of winter, it does get colder than the recommended cool side for a BP. We don't run our heater very often during winter and my room definitely drops below the low 80s during these months. Would you all recommend that I get a 2nd heat source for the cool side of this cage? It comes with belly heat on one side according to the site, but I'm worried come winter that won't be enough. I figured I could pick up a UTH for the cool side and set the T-Stat to 82. Opinions?

Btw, sorry for having such a long first post!

[JenEric Reptiles]

FIrst welcome to the boards..........

second im sure you will find a lot of help here..........
as for temps i think you should be fine if it stay in the 70's im no expert but from reading alot that is usually when most breeders cool there bp's to around 70-72 at nite i think and as long as you have the UTH you should be fine

[JenEric Reptiles]

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

[DarkComeSoon]

i recommend getting a sterilite tub also temperatures 92 degrees

[JenEric Reptiles]

i recommend getting a sterilite tub also temperatures 92 degrees

he is asking temps for winter?

[DarkComeSoon]

just keep it the same

[JoshR324]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I guess I should clarify - I was asking if I should get an extra heat source for the cool side of the tank and set it to 82 degrees. I'd set the hot side to 92 using the supplied belly heat along with the T-Stat. I'm asking if I should have two different heat sources to get the 82-92 gradient during winter (it gets down into the 60s in my house) or do you think simply using the supplied belly heat with a T-Stat and nothing on the cool end of the cage will suffice?

[crbballs]

hey first of all welcome! and with that enclosure u mite hold heat well. my advise is to stop at the zoo med table if there at the show and get a reptistat 500r. bout 30 buck and it works well. and save ya sum money. also get a accurite indoor/outdoor

[crbballs]

thermometer from walmart to check and adjust the temp as needed. ppl on here give the 500r gud reviews expecially for a single tank. it will work well and save ya alot of money. gud luck and welcome to the club

[JoshR324]

Thanks for the advice. I'm actually one step ahead of you though! I picked up the accurite from walmart today and ordered the 500R Tstat today as well since I needed a new uvb tube for my beardie.