Couple question I would like cleared up please

I have been reading many posts in regards to feeding a ball python. There seem to be many different views as to how often and how much. Is there a way to tell with my BP's behavior? I have had mine 2 weeks now and he ate his first meal last friday. He has pooped already. Should I just feel him again on Friday? Make it a normal feeding day? I have not purchased a scale yet to weight him yet but I measured him at around 22" today.

Also I use the aspen shavings for his bedding. Seems great and all but is there an easy way to tell when he pees on it? The color seems to be the same. It kinda clumps but I noticed it doesn't take much to break the clump apart. I am worried about leaving pee soaked bedding in too long. Will he be ok with just regular changing of the bedding?

I'd say get "him" on a regular schedule depending on how old he is. My hatchlings/juveniles I feed on a 5-7 day feeding rotation, depending on how small they are when they hatch or I purchase them. If they're a smaller baby I start them on a 5 day schedule to catch up and then move them over to a 7 day schedule when they begin to put on weight and are doing well. My adult males I keep on a 10 day feeding schedule and my females I keep on a 7 day year round and just bump up the number of prey items if I plan on breeding them.

As to cleaning...keep an eye on the cage and if it gets to the point of smelling, it's gone too long, lol! I typically change my tubs every week but I don't use aspen with my animals. Spot clean as needed as far as poop goes and any visible solid urates. Keep an eye out for wet spots if you can spot them in the aspen and see how things go. You might be able to go a week or ten days between changing out the aspen as far as soiled areas but I'd say change it out completely at least once a month if not more often to be on the safe side. Clean everything (tub, tank, hides, ect. and the water bowl in a mild bleach/water solution or soap and water if you prefer) (F10 or Chlorhexadine are the two most popular choices for cleaning products and if you want something to deodorize).

Here's a few products you might want to look at if you don't already have something you use for cleaning:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/chlorhexadine-16oz

http://www.reptilebasics.com/cleanin...fectant-100ml/

Those first two are cleaners/disinfectants. I use chlorhexadine but am switching to F10 as it has a more stable shelf-life without losing it's potency once it's mixed. As far as deodorizers if you have snakes that like to take epic craps like mine do, this works great for helping the smell:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/healthy-habitat-gallon

None of what I've said is written in stone so don't feel like you have to follow anything to the letter as far as what's been offered for feeding or cleaning. Find what works for you and as long as it's safe and healthy for your animal, have at it. Good luck and hope that helps!

Feeding every Friday is just fine. A lot of the variation in opinions that you read are due to people preparing an animal to breed, but aren't necessary for a pet. Just make sure you get that scale so you can monitor that you are feeding the proper size of prey.

Spot clean your cage when you see messes, and change the bedding completely every few weeks. I personally don't like aspen because it will mold if it gets wet for too long, but that is solved by changing it regularly. I use cypress, which holds humidity better and resists mold.

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Originally Posted by youbeyouibei

Those first two are cleaners/disinfectants. I use chlorhexadine but am switching to F10 as it has a more stable shelf-life without losing it's potency once it's mixed. As far as deodorizers if you have snakes that like to take epic craps like mine do, this works great for helping the smell

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Thanks for the tips. Sadly I live in CA and the website you linked says they cannot ship F10 to CA for some reason. I will try the other stuff though.

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Originally Posted by Gene Collins

Thanks for the tips. Sadly I live in CA and the website you linked says they cannot ship F10 to CA for some reason. I will try the other stuff though.

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I am in Cali and use f10. Reptile basics can't ship to Cali for some reason but I get mine from pro exotics...

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OK another question.....for water is tap ok? For my turtle I have to put an chlorine remover in the water should I do the same for my BP or just get filtered water?