I'm getting my first Ball Python soon.

Hello,I'm getting my first ball python on the 18th for my 17th birthday. I've done some research on how to care for them,but I wanted to know if there is anything I should know that I may not have seen on general info websites? Also I do live In the mountains where it gets colder and snows at times,is there anything I can do to help me keep the inclosure warmer? Thanks -Koral

What type of enclosure and heating source are you going to use? Use either unprinted newspaper or regular newspaper as bedding. It's easy and quick to clean out. Provide a hide box if youre getting a juvenile. Get something to accurately measure heat and make sure you have a back-up source in case you lose power. Im not sure how much it snows at once, but if you have blackouts from snow, you need to ensure you have something that can provide a heating source for him/her during those times.

My best advice, get an animal that is eating good (balls are known to be finicky eaters and with all the imports in pet stores and such I would make sure they are solid eaters) other than that a good solid heat mat and a cheap thermostat or dimmer switch set up to regulate the temps.

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Originally Posted by Chuckels

What type of enclosure and heating source are you going to use? Use either unprinted newspaper or regular newspaper as bedding. It's easy and quick to clean out. Provide a hide box if youre getting a juvenile. Get something to accurately measure heat and make sure you have a back-up source in case you lose power. Im not sure how much it snows at once, but if you have blackouts from snow, you need to ensure you have something that can provide a heating source for him/her during those times.

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I am getting a tub for it.I am most likely getting a juvenile,the Power doesn't go out that often but when it does it's never out longer then a few hours,I'll keep that in mind to find another heat source.

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Originally Posted by zelos888

Hello, I'm getting my first ball python on the 18th for my 17th birthday. I've done some research on how to care for them, but I wanted to know if there is anything I should know that I may not have seen on general info websites? Also I do live In the mountains where it gets colder and snows at times,is there anything I can do to help me keep the inclosure warmer? Thanks -Koral

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I bought my first Ball in December after doing extensive research and I encountered no surprises and everything is going quite well (from what I can tell anyways). There are always going to be debates on feeding techniques (enclosure or not), substrate (dried pine, aspen, eco-dirt etc), water placement, and so forth. I would say the major items are making sure your heat and humidity are correct and making sure your snake has options, so it's not the same heat and humidity no matter where he is in the enclosure.

A few thoughts:

-Your snake may not eat at your first offering. Do not be alarmed by this, simply try again in a few days;
-Review the shedding process before it happens so you know what to expect (color dulling, eye caps, rubbing, not to pull the skin off etc.);
-May want to consider obtaining PAM so if your Ball gets mites you can deal with it immediately and not having to wait two weeks cause the local pet shop doesn't have any instock;
-This is seldom, and I'm not trying to fear monger here (it is a very, very rare occurance), but research in advance on what to do if your snakes bites you, so if that event does occur down the road, you're not running around panicking trying to figure out what to do.

from everything if read do not use pine my suggestion was like chuckles said newspaper its very cheap easy to clean and ive noticed my bps love to hide under instead of their hides lol in the wild they live underground and in termite mounds so i guess its like they are borrowing

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Originally Posted by spud6

from everything if read do not use pine my suggestion was like chuckles said newspaper its very cheap easy to clean and ive noticed my bps love to hide under instead of their hides lol in the wild they live underground and in termite mounds so i guess its like they are borrowing

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Right I have been told by many people to use newspaper,and it is also cheap. If I had a heat pad under the plastic inclosure and my snake 'borrowed' under it,would the heat pad burn him?

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Originally Posted by zelos888

Right I have been told by many people to use newspaper,and it is also cheap. If I had a heat pad under the plaque inclosure and my snake 'borrowed' under it,would the heat pad burn him?

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Not if you get a thermostat, which you absolutely need.

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Originally Posted by zelos888

I am getting a tub for it.I am most likely getting a juvenile,the Power doesn't go out that often but when it does it's never out longer then a few hours,I'll keep that in mind to find another heat source.

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You should look into the 40 hour heat packs they sell for if you lose power. I live in the north too, and it gets cold quick with a power outage! :)

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Originally Posted by LGray23

You should look into the 40 hour heat packs they sell for if you lose power. I live in the north too, and it gets cold quick with a power outage! :)

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thanks! I'll order a few of those just incase the power does go out. :-)