BP's absolute needs help me.

I'm planning on getting a ball python but all the research iv'e done has lead me to knowledge overload, and i am confused on what to get and where to get it so please can someone tell me what a python absolutely needs to be happy and live as long as possible.

thanks in advance.

Hi,

The correct temp range.

The correct humidity.

Secure housing that makes the snake also feel secure.

the correct food.


dr del

see above its pretty simple for them. they dont care whats around them, how pretty it is or anything else. just what was listed above.

place to live- sterite tub from walmart.

place to drink- a dish about an inch or less of water. Doesn't have to be fancy.

substrate- paper towels or newspaper

heat- under tank heater with a $10 dimmer from Lowes, to regulate the temps.

thermometer- accurite from Walmart, bout $8-10.

aaaand appropriately sized rodents.

That's the bare basics. Obviously, there are much better ways to do the same thing, and you really should just check out the care sheet on here, it's very good.

Edit- Darn! and I thought I was the first one on the scene. :)

It all depends on what you want to spend and how you want it's set up to be.

The above posters covered the basic... minus a place for your snake to hide maybe. Go from there and do what makes you happy. As long as their basic needs are met the snake doesn't care.

Here is a very "basics" kit that can be found pretty easily. I suggest it because it has everything to get you started minus the snake. Also if you start small it will last quite awhile.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=4070849

Those snake kits are 100% waste of money. You will have to replace 90% of the stuff that it comes with. IMO for a basic, safe set-up for someone with ONE snake would be:

A 20 gallon long tank
A UTH (under tank heater) WITH a thermostat.
Substrate, I use aspen
Two identical hides
A nice sized water dish
Black out the sides and back of the tank (I use Con-tact paper from Home Depot $6)
In some cases, you can get a CHE (ceramic heat emitter) to raise ambient temps, and even those should be connect to a dimmer.
And a digital thermometer/hygrometer (such as this http://www.amazon.com/Chaney-Instrum...0852211&sr=8-1)

You can cut the end off a small cardboard box to make hides

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5061546_n.jpg

If you already have a box laying around it costs: nothing.

You can find a lot of tanks and decorations on craigslist for next to nothing. Just make sure you disinfect anything that isn't brand new to make sure it's safe before exposing your snake to it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Those snake kits are 100% waste of money. You will have to replace 90% of the stuff that it comes with. IMO for a basic, safe set-up for someone with ONE snake would be:

A 20 gallon long tank
A UTH (under tank heater) WITH a thermostat.
Substrate, I use aspen
Two identical hides
A nice sized water dish
Black out the sides and back of the tank (I use Con-tact paper from Home Depot $6)
In some cases, you can get a CHE (ceramic heat emitter) to raise ambient temps, and even those should be connect to a dimmer.
And a digital thermometer/hygrometer (such as this http://www.amazon.com/Chaney-Instrum...0852211&sr=8-1)

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what about heat lamps that still confuses me they say that the lamps just suck up alll the humidity/ night lamps

If you live in a decently warm house. Like you don't have AC running in the room as the cage or in the winter, if you have it, it stays warm in the house, you don't really need lamps. As long as the ambient stays around 80 in the cage your fine. I don't use lamps at all. I haven't in years. The only time that I suggest lamps is a during the winter if people have tanks on a rheostat or dimmer.


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