Some beginner questions :)

I have a couple questions, just some basic concerns for a new guardian :) thanks so much for any answers!

Question 1: taking your bp outside.
Ive seen lots of pics of people taking their snakes outside, but i wonder if its safe? Cant they catch diseases?

Question 2: Can fluctuating temps make my bp sick?
I have a UTH that stays on 24/7, but because our house is cold and i have a tank, i have to use a heat lamp to get 80-85. There are times during the day where i wont get home till the evening and so i will turn the lamp on for a few hours and then turn it off. Is that temp fluctuation dangerous? Should i just leave the lamp off?

Question 3: Do bps normally hide for the first couple days after feeding?
My girl is usually very active at night, but after feeding she hides for a night or so on her warm spot. I imagine its normal but im just checking :)

Question 4: How can i keep humidity and temp up in a tank?
It seems near impossible with the screen top... I had kept her in a tub but because of my friends fear of snakes, she insisted i get something with a "lock" so she couldnt get out. I can keep her temp around 80-82 with the lamp on. Shouldnt it be higher?

Question 5 (last one!): How do i know when my girl has outgrown her tank?
Shes already about 3-4 inches shorter than the length of her tank, so shes getting there. Id hate for her to get cramped!


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1. I don't know. I don't really take mine outside.

2. I think some fluctuation is probably fine. After all, these are the offspring of wild animals. How much fluctuation are we talking? If you are using an UTH, you really, really need a thermostat. While the enclosure itself may not get past 85 degrees, the area that the pad is on can easily burn your snake, especially if it burrows. Seriously, for the love of the animal, get a thermostat if you're going to use a UTH at all.

3. Both of mine hide after feeding. Digestion is a vulnerable time for the snakes, so they want to be secure while it happens. Plus, mine usually hide anyway.

4. Use saran wrap on part of the top. Don't cut off air circulation, but cover half the tank. Also, get a spray bottle and mist it. I'd also suggest getting an acu-rite thermostat/hygrometer. Those stick on ones aren't worth a damn. The warm spot should be 90 degrees.

5. For standard glass aquarium style tanks, I've read somewhere BPs shouldn't be more than 1.5x the length of the enclosure. What size tank are you using?

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Originally Posted by ESP

1. I don't know. I don't really take mine outside.

2. I think some fluctuation is probably fine. After all, these are the offspring of wild animals. How much fluctuation are we talking? If you are using an UTH, you really, really need a thermostat. While the enclosure itself may not get past 85 degrees, the area that the pad is on can easily burn your snake, especially if it burrows. Seriously, for the love of the animal, get a thermostat if you're going to use a UTH at all.

3. Both of mine hide after feeding. Digestion is a vulnerable time for the snakes, so they want to be secure while it happens. Plus, mine usually hide anyway.

4. Use saran wrap on part of the top. Don't cut off air circulation, but cover half the tank. Also, get a spray bottle and mist it. I'd also suggest getting an acu-rite thermostat/hygrometer. Those stick on ones aren't worth a damn. The warm spot should be 90 degrees.

5. For standard glass aquarium style tanks, I've read somewhere BPs shouldn't be more than 1.5x the length of the enclosure. What size tank are you using?

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I have a 20 gallon tank.
What kind of thermostat for the uth? Where can i find one?
Thanks for helping :)


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Originally Posted by VigdisXX

I have a 20 gallon tank.
What kind of thermostat for the uth? Where can i find one?
Thanks for helping :)


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A thermostat regulates the uth. Without one you are doing more harm than good. Depending on the heat source you are running well over 100 degrees surface temps.
An IR thermometer will give you accurate readings to adjust from on a thermostat.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

A thermostat regulates the uth. Without one you are doing more harm than good. Depending on the heat source you are running well over 100 degrees surface temps.
An IR thermometer will give you accurate readings to adjust from on a thermostat.

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Will it work on just a regular plug in uth? Are there adjustable uth? Thanks :)


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I use a herpstat. I'd recommend it. There is a cheaper stat that others use and have had some success with.

http://www.spyderrobotics.com/

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Originally Posted by VigdisXX

Will it work on just a regular plug in uth?

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Yes

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Originally Posted by VigdisXX

Are there adjustable uth? Thanks :)

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No

Your best bet is to check with Reptile Basics

Hello!
In response to question 2 and 4.
If you have a ceramic heatlamp, I would get a Zoomed Hydro Therm. I have my humidifier and ceramic heatlamp connected to it. How it works is there is a probe that you place inside the enclosure and if the enclosure gets too hot or humid, the Hydro Therm will shut off the heatlamp or humidifier depending on which element is too much. I went to a craft store and bought strips of velco to attach the probe inside my enclosure. I stick the probe in the middle of the enclosure, attached to the back wall. The Hydro Therm has a digital controller that you can set the humidity and temperature level inside the enclosure.

For question 4.
I was using Aspen bedding and it kept the humidity up, somewhat. Since you have a screen top, I would go to any home improvement store and by a piece of plexiglass or some plastic, cut about 4 inches shorter than the length of your screen top. The width should fit the same dimension as your screen. If you are using a heat lamp that you place on the screen top, I would cut the plastic in half so you can set the two pieces of plastic on the left and right side of the lamp. I also use the Tropic Air as my humidifier. You also need to buy an air pump for it to work. If you find this humidifier on Amazon, the "recommended items" will show the best air pumps for the Tropic Air. Finally, if the humidifier is not getting the humidity up to the desired level, try using Cypress Mulch. I recently switched from Aspen to Cypress. I keep my humidity at 50% and I do not use the plexiglass. The only time I use the plexiglass is when she is in shed and I set the Hydro Therm for 70% humidity and cover the screen with the plexiglass. If it gets too humid, I expose more of the screen until a 70% is at a constant.

Hope this helps. Ball Pythons are great pets! My girl is very sweet and happy with her new home :D