Hello. Im new!

Hello. My name is roger and I am new to the snake world. I just bought me a ball python and i would really love some tips on raising it. I dont know if it's a he or she but i named him/her Oscar. haha. Here are some pics of oscar and his home. Please feel free to tell me if I'm doing anything wrong. I want things to go perfect for oscar.

http://i51.tinypic.com/63soqa.jpg

http://i55.tinypic.com/cpykk.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/f50jg2.jpg

I also want to know if he may need to shed soon. i cant tell if his belly is pink. here is a pic

http://i54.tinypic.com/1z4a3ys.jpg

And it also seems like he is dehydrated? I dont know, im just guessing because his skin kind of folds when he is bent. here is another pic

http://i54.tinypic.com/x2l5x4.jpg

Please let me know what you think and if there are any tips that you can give me please do so. Thank you. :)

Hello Roger and welcome :)
Search through the forums there is unlimited info on this site. Oscar may not just be dehydrated but he is very skinny. If you haven't already I suggest leaving him alone for a week or two, completely alone, no handling at all. Take a look at the caresheet:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

The only issues I see are the temp/humidity guages. They are very inaccurate. I suggest this:
http://www.amazon.com/Chaney-Instrum...0070407&sr=8-1
You place the unit on the cool side and the probe on the hot side and it read both temps and humidity all in one unit.

You'll also notice the lamps will dry out the humidity, causing bad sheds. They also make small tanks like that very hot, so unless the temps in your house are very very cold, I suggest getting an under tank heater (UTH) instead. The lights are also irritating and can heighten stress, as they are nocturnal.

If you get a UTH, you need a thermostat as they get very hot and will burn your snake.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...4&sr=1-1-spell
I use two of these and for the price they work fairly well.

Also one of the most important things you are missing is hides. Ball pythons are very secretive creatures. They like tight dark spaces, and will hide about 85% of the day, only coming out at night. If you keep the tank the way you have it, I'd be shocked if he eats for you. I'd ditch the giant stick and in place get two tight fitting identical hides, one for the hot side and one for the cool side. If not you will have a very stressed out snake.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Hello Roger and welcome :)
Search through the forums there is unlimited info on this site. Oscar may not just be dehydrated but he is very skinny. If you haven't already I suggest leaving him alone for a week or two, completely alone, no handling at all. Take a look at the caresheet:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

The only issues I see are the temp/humidity guages. They are very inaccurate. I suggest this:
http://www.amazon.com/Chaney-Instrum...0070407&sr=8-1
You place the unit on the cool side and the probe on the hot side and it read both temps and humidity all in one unit.

You'll also notice the lamps will dry out the humidity, causing bad sheds. They also make small tanks like that very hot, so unless the temps in your house are very very cold, I suggest getting an under tank heater (UTH) instead. The lights are also irritating and can heighten stress, as they are nocturnal.

If you get a UTH, you need a thermostat as they get very hot and will burn your snake.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...4&sr=1-1-spell
I use two of these and for the price they work fairly well.

Also one of the most important things you are missing is hides. Ball pythons are very secretive creatures. They like tight dark spaces, and will hide about 85% of the day, only coming out at night. If you keep the tank the way you have it, I'd be shocked if he eats for you. I'd ditch the giant stick and in place get two tight fitting identical hides, one for the hot side and one for the cool side. If not you will have a very stressed out snake.

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thank you for the info. (: i think he is about a month and a half old. somewhere around there. i fed him sunday, a pinky mouse, and i thawed it out and he took it pretty quick. my house is freezing so i thought the heat could work. the bright lamp sucks out water like crazy. i hate it. but its what came with the tank. the other lamp i turn on at night. it's a heat lamp and there is no light. any more tips from here would be greatly appreciated. and thank you again LGray23. :)

You can still use the lights, the UTH is best because belly heat aides with digestion. If anything you can get a lamp dimmer for the lights and have the UTH and keep the temps stable. Good luck...

I want to know what you are holding the cover to the tank on with? Welcome to the family.

Welcome to BP.net :salute: Any questions you may have please feel free to ask!!
If you can pick up an under tank heater with a thermostat. I would also pick up or make two tight fightting hides. Your better off just using your heat emitter if possible. Coles off some of the screen lid with tin foil to help keep the humidity in. Black out 3 sides or your tank with something to help the snake not feel so exposed.

Welcome to BP.net :)

Hello Roger, and :welcome: to BP.net...

Hi Roger, :welcome: to BP.net. :colbert2:

Welcome, you are getting great advice so far, the only thing I would add is that you said you fed him a pinky mouse? If so that is much to small, you need a small mouse or a pinky rat for a baby ball python. The rule is the prey item needs to be just a little bit smaller then the thickest part of the snakes body, every 5 or 7 days. Hope I said that right, if not someone will correct me soon. Good luck with him!