New BP owner with some tank questions.

Hello, everyone. I got my first snake Sunday, a ball python. :D I had a question about the suggested temperature. I bought a bp guide and it says that it should be between 80-85 for hatchlings, and 85-90 for subadults and adults. I've seen higher temps on this site and a couple others and would really like a good, solid answer. I bought an electronic thermometer today and it's reading at 87.3 on the hot side of the tank. Too low? Too high? Also, my humidity level is about 55. Is that suitable? Thanks in advance for any answers.

Take a look at this :gj:
Everything you need to know right here,

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...thon-CARESHEET

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by emmm1984

Hello, everyone. I got my first snake Sunday, a ball python. :D I had a question about the suggested temperature. I bought a bp guide and it says that it should be between 80-85 for hatchlings, and 85-90 for subadults and adults. I've seen higher temps on this site and a couple others and would really like a good, solid answer. I bought an electronic thermometer today and it's reading at 87.3 on the hot side of the tank. Too low? Too high? Also, my humidity level is about 55. Is that suitable? Thanks in advance for any answers.

---

In the hiding spot, I usually prefer a hot spot between 90 and 95, with the general air temps on the hot side to be about 90. So if the 87.3 is the air above the hiding spot, sounds good. If that's the temp inside the actual hiding spot, I'd try raising it if you can.

Humidity sounds like average household humidity, you may want to mist the cage or add a moist hide just in case. I wouldn't rely too exclusively on that gauge for telling you if humidity is "right" or not. Sometimes they're inaccurate, and the snake itself is a far better indicator of humidity. If it sheds in one piece, it doesn't matter if that gauge says 20%, you've got the humidity dialed in. If the snake sheds in multiple pieces, it goes the other way - could be the gauge says 80% but it's still shedding in pieces. Watch the snake, look at the cage conditions, and go from there. Much like the Code of the Brethren, set down by the pirates Morgan and Bartholomew, the humidity gauge isn't a rule, it's more like a guideline... ;)
I'd focus instead on perhaps adding some moss or just misting the cage once a day or so, until you get an idea for what ideal conditions are like. Once the snake sheds, you'll be able to tweak your conditions for your exact situation.

-Jen

Thank you for the help. I really appreciate it. One more thing, just to clarify: I put his hide on the hot side, but today at the pet store (and I know pet stores aren't always a great source) the lady said to put it on the cool side of his cage. This didn't really make sense to me, but thought I'd ask just in case.

Well it best to have two identical hides, one on the hot side AND one on the cool side. So that way if your snake gets to hot it can go hang out in a hide on the cool side, and if it's cold it can hang out in a hide on the hot side. You want to make sure your snake always feel comfortable and secure while still letting it regulate its body temperature.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by emmm1984

Thank you for the help. I really appreciate it. One more thing, just to clarify: I put his hide on the hot side, but today at the pet store (and I know pet stores aren't always a great source) the lady said to put it on the cool side of his cage. This didn't really make sense to me, but thought I'd ask just in case.

---

I prefer using a couple different hides, both on the hot and cold side. They don't have to be identical, but you may find that your snake prefers a specific kind (once this is determined, feel free to just use that kind :) ).

If you have just one hide, and have to pick a side to put it, I'd put it on the hot side.

-Jen

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LLLReptile

I prefer using a couple different hides, both on the hot and cold side. They don't have to be identical, but you may find that your snake prefers a specific kind (once this is determined, feel free to just use that kind :) ).

If you have just one hide, and have to pick a side to put it, I'd put it on the hot side.

-Jen

---

Lol true, don't have to be identical immediately, but I found what kind of hide my snake likes and just got two of them :P

Here is my Normals Tank

I have a mixture in there after todays Deep Clean

just trying different things, (Note) I have only added one substrate at a time after cleaning, this way I can monitor behaviour changes ;)

Full view, shows the 3 substrates
(Note) He doesn't necessarily have a cool side hide, he likes to burrow :D and get behind his tree, I removed it for the pictures

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/4931/img6472g.jpg

Repti Bark and Aspen (For Burrowing)

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/5567/img6473s.jpg

Cypress And Drift Wood with Moss (Humid Hide) He also Loves this Hide !!

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/3518/img6474w.jpg

Aspen Hot Side

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/2760/img6475v.jpg

Since adding the Repti Bark I have been able to maintain 45% with one mist a day !

Now since I added the Cypress I misted to knock down the dust, It is holding 60% I am pretty sure that will drop a little bit

Again this is an experiment and proof that you can house a Ball in a glass tank !

Checkin out his new digs after a little rearrangement LOL

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/4482/img6484g.jpg

I like the way this goes together, I believe it gives him some security as he blends in to his surroundings, Maybe I am wrong but what can it hurt :D

My bps have and love their black reptile basics hides. One in each end of their tub, and they use both. Here is what they look like..
http://img.tapatalk.com/aefdc2d3-d5b3-1195.jpg
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

you definitely want two hides, one on the cool side and one on the warm side. your snake needs heat to digest food so if you only have one hide then put it on the warm side. but if you follow the guidelines in the caresheet posted above, you'll be fine.