Got my first bp this past friday!
So this past Friday I got my first BP, though i would have prefered to go to a breeder i did indeed go to the petstore. It didnt have any signs of sickness - vents eyes and cloaca were clear.
I asked if it was a good eater and they said it indeed was and had eaten last friday -the week before i picked it up. So after a thoughtful decision i decided to take him home with me, of course with the setup pre prepared.
I figured since he had eaten a week ago i figured the next day i would give it a whirl and see if it would eat, though not getting my hopes up knowing how notorious they can be for going off food. So i got the f/t rat out, jiggled it around for a few seconds and...BAM he took it like a champ and had it down in a few minutes.
So now for my question after that long thrilling tale, him/her eating on its second day can be a sign of it getting comfortable and finding the habitat...enjoyable i guess is a word i could use, am i correct in thinking so if not lemme know! Oh and here it is- i do still need to think of a name!
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...5_12.27.25.jpg
oh and thats the feeding box not its habitat!
Re: Got my first bp this past friday!
I am using a 10g glass tank with dark pieces of construction paper on aprox 1/2 the tank on the end where its hide is so it can feel more secure. I am using a ceramic 60W bulb wich gets the hot spot to 90-93 depending on my room temp- which usually doesnt fall under 74 - and the hot side to about 85 and the cold side right around 75-80. I am using a uth which i have connected to a repti temp thermostat so it doesnt get too hot. I am planning to get a digital thermometer after this wonderful blizzard has passed.
For bedding i am using repti bark which is aprox built up to an inch, inch and a half in some spots. I also am using sphagnum moss in a small tubaware container to help boost humidity. As for water i also am using a small tubaware container with an inch of water. I have the sphangum moss next to the water tub and the water next to the hot spot, should i switch these around or is it fine where it is? I am using a piece of store bought drift wood and a plastic bamboo looking stick with suction cups on both ends incase it wants to climb and have provided fake plants on the cool side so there are hiding spots. The humidity on the warm side stays around 40% if i do a light misting and the cool side around 50% to 60%.
I use tinfoil on the top of the screen cover to keep himidity in but im thinking about using a moist towel on top for extra humidity, do you think thats a good idea? I know that fog and moisture that sticks in the walls means that there is bad ventilation, and i currently have none of that. I am also using 6 clamps because my screen top folds up.
I am also feeding frozen thawed what the petstore called "hopper" rats, i personally dont want to feed live just incase he doesnt eat for a week or two, I have nowhere to keep it.
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...7_09.02.03.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...7_09.00.20.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...7_09.02.47.jpg
Re: Got my first bp this past friday!
Looks good to me. I think you're doing great.
Later on when your BP gets a lot bigger and you're looking to upgrade the enclosure, i'd recommend looking into a PVC enclosure like Animal Plastics. They're fully enclosed terrariums so keeping up heat and humidity becomes a breeze. Plus, they're aesthetically pleasing and make good display tanks (even though most of the time you'll be staring at a hide and a water bowl).