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A few questions!

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  • 05-19-2011, 09:06 PM
    roboticsundaes
    A few questions!
    I'm planning on getting a ball python (my first snake) sometime in July, most likely at the Herp World Expo in San Jose on the 23rd. I've been doing my research and lurking this forum, and I'd love to have a few questions answered and get some advice.

    First of all, I have to leave town the day after the expo starts, so I'm wondering if it would be okay to leave my snake unsupervised under certain conditions. I plan on getting a terrarium with a sliding top screen, and I believe it has an extra latch. It sounds like it would be pretty impossible for a snake to escape from that, but I want to make sure. Also, I plan on getting all of the equipment and leave everything running to test the temperatures and make sure that nothing goes wrong for at least 2 weeks before I get the snake. My mom gets home a week after I leave, and she says she would be willing to feed the snake and maybe even handle it if she's not too scared of it. I know you're supposed to leave them alone for a week or more so that they can settle in anyway, so it seems to be the perfect setup. If it's really not safe to do that, I'll try hard and arrange for someone to stop by to check up on it. Another alternative I thought of is if a nearby breeder would accept partial payment at the expo and then reserve the snake until I get back, at which time I would go pick it up and pay the rest. Do breeders do this, and are they likely to carry out their word?

    Now for random questions! What brand of UTH do you guys recommend? Also, should I be somehow raising my tank above the heater? I assume I should to prevent my snake from getting burned (although I'm planning on getting a thermostat so I can set specific temperatures...)? Also, I'm concerned that raising it up might put stress on the glass and make it more likely to break. Also, what's the best bedding?
    Some questions about breeders... Do they generally feed their snakes frozen feeders, or live mice? I'm a bit concerned about the price of feeding mine live mice, since I know that they're picky eaters and won't want to switch over. Last question, at the expo, what kind of deals should I expect? I'll have less than $200 to spend, and I'm interested in a cool morph (my favorite are calicos and axanthics, but I expect those to be out of price range), but I would be okay with a normal. I'd be looking for a baby or at least young one.

    Thanks so much, ladies and gents.
    -Kat
  • 05-19-2011, 09:17 PM
    OhhWatALoser
    Re: A few questions!
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by roboticsundaes View Post
    if it would be okay to leave my snake unsupervised under certain conditions.

    we don't sit and watch our snakes all day lol, they are unsupervised most of the time in their tubs.

    Quote:

    What brand of UTH do you guys recommend?
    Flexwatt

    Quote:

    Also, should I be somehow raising my tank above the heater?
    nope

    Quote:

    Also, what's the best bedding?
    for a tank your going to want something that holds moisture, cypress or something. You could make it easy on yourself and just have a tub setup.

    Quote:

    Some questions about breeders... Do they generally feed their snakes frozen feeders, or live mice?
    everyone shoots for frozen, but some snakes just won't take it.

    Quote:

    Last question, at the expo, what kind of deals should I expect?
    bout the same as online

    Quote:

    I'll have less than $200 to spend, and I'm interested in a cool morph
    pastels and yellow bellies for sure, might also be able to get a male spider, pin, mojo, cinny, or hypo just depends on who needs to get rid of what.
  • 05-19-2011, 09:19 PM
    Skittles1101
    The snake should be fine left alone for a period of time as long as your husbandry is correct.

    As for the random questions...
    I use a small Zoomed UTH for my one and only tank( rest are in racks). I've had no issues with it, however I recommend NOT using the adhesive, instead taping it to the bottom with aluminum tape. This will make it easier to remove without damaging it while cleaning.

    I use chair pads to lift my tank (and keep from scratching the table it's on):
    http://i51.tinypic.com/2vss0af.jpg

    You will need a thermostat. They range anywhere from $30.00 to $120.00. I highly recommend Herpstat, Reptile Basics VE models (more expensive), or Johnsons or Ranco (cheaper). You can find these online easily. If you'd like links I'd be more than happy to share.

    I use Aspen in the tank, however newpaper and paper towels are easier to clean. Coco fiber if good for humidity but is really tough on the UTH, heat doesn't get through it very easily. I've had no issues with the aspen as of yet.

    I feed f/t, all of my snakes are on f/t with little to no issues. It's cheaper and more convenient for me, however it's a personal choice so only you can decide that. I've never fed live... so it can't be that difficult to switch over. It just depends on the bp. Some are very picky some are not.

    You will easily be able to find a baby normal for about $30-$60 depending on the colors or pattern. My first was a normal and I love him to pieces. However, for $200 to spend on the snake only, you could find a nice pastel.

    I also suggest with the tank, covering 3/4 of the top to keep humidity in, also blacking out the sides and back with black Con-Tact adhesive paper (Home Depot $6). It makes them feel much more secure.
  • 05-19-2011, 10:16 PM
    lk_holla
    Re: A few questions!
    If you need to, a lot of breeders will hold a snake if you put a deposit on them and talk with the breeder, but there are sometimes when you'll be stuck paying the extra for shipping (if they're not very local), and I assume most expo breeders are trying to go home without snakes. It all depends on the breeder.

    That may be a good alternative, since I know I'd be a little worried about leaving a brand new snake by itself for a week, just because I want to know that its settling in alright and has no issues.
  • 05-20-2011, 11:45 PM
    Vypyrz
    Re: A few questions!
    Here is the link to the show that you are planning to attend:

    http://www.herpworldexpo.com/

    At the bottom of the page is a list of vendors who are planning to be there. Most will have websites with contact information. I would suggest contacting them directly to find out exactly what they will have available and what kind of payment, holding, and delivery terms they are willing to work out.

    You said that your budget was going to be around $200. Is that for the snake alone, or for the snake and set-up combined?
  • 05-21-2011, 08:50 PM
    roboticsundaes
    Thanks for all of the replies!

    The $200 is for the snake alone, and I saw the list of vendors, but contacting them is an excellent idea, thank you. (:
    OhhWatALoser, what wattage do you recommend for a 20-30 gal tank?
    LGray, I would love some links. The chair pads are brilliant, I'll be sure to get some. I was already planning on covering part of the top to keep humidity in, but I wasn't thinking about blacking the sides out, but I will now that you mentioned it.

    I'm probably just being paranoid, but I want to make sure that nothing goes horribly wrong while I'm away.
    Oh, so I talked to someone today that has a rescued ball python looking for a home, 4-5 year old normal female. I'm more interested in a baby, but if I fall in love with her when I see her, I'll keep her. I would totally take her, but I can only have one snake, which sucks. Just wanted to share that with you guys.
  • 05-23-2011, 05:08 PM
    roboticsundaes
    Oh, I'm having issues with deciding on a good glass terrarium. What do you guys recommend?
    Thanks (:
  • 05-30-2011, 07:29 PM
    roboticsundaes
    Re: A few questions!
    Yeah, thanks for the replies.
  • 05-30-2011, 07:37 PM
    OhhWatALoser
    Re: A few questions!
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by roboticsundaes View Post
    OhhWatALoser, what wattage do you recommend for a 20-30 gal tank?

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by roboticsundaes View Post
    Oh, I'm having issues with deciding on a good glass terrarium. What do you guys recommend?
    Thanks (:

    I wouldn't recommend a tank, I already stated I would recommend a tub, therefore I did not respond
  • 05-30-2011, 09:22 PM
    Evenstar
    I strongly suggest you go for that adult rescue! I know a baby is appealing, but they are less forgiving of husbandry mistakes and can 'sometimes' be trickier to feed. And there is NOTHING so wonderful as giving a home to a snake that really needs one!

    And if you are going with a tank, I highly recommend ZooMed's Critter Keepers. They are standard sized glass terrariums with special sliding and locking screen lids designed for reptiles. A 20gal long is good for a young BP, but a 40gal breeder would be better for that 4 year old adult and should be good for her for the rest of her life.

    Know that whatever type terrarium you use, if it has a screen top, you'll have to make some modifications for humidity. Cover the top with foil or wax paper to help. There's a sticky thread about that here somewhere.....

    Tubs are definitely terrific, but I totally understand the desire to have a tank setup. You can do some really creative things, so long as the basics are covered (ie: 2 hides, thermal gradient, etc). I use tanks myself, although I will probably switch to tubs or boaphile cages when I get more boas, lol. Tubs are really convenient when you have more than 1 or 2 snakes....
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