First BP tips

I just got my first ball python and he is one month old, healthy and so far eating live fuzzies like a champ(I plan to switch to f/t) I have him in a twenty gallon long vivarium with two identical half log hides, one on either end, a water bowl, and some plastic foliage. I have a UTH for a "hot spot" and a infrared heating lamp with a dimmer. The ambient air temp is about 81 f, hot spot is 90 f, and cool side is about 75 f. The humidity is about 50%. I have electronic gauges for temp and humidity. Substrate is cypress mulch I purchased from a reptile specialty store.

with that information said, is there any tips you guys have for me and my BP? I just want to make sure I'm doing everything right!

It all sounds good. Those log hides aren't the best since the opening is so big. If you have a screen top then I would suggest using the tin foil or a towel method to cover about 3/4 of the top to keep humidity in. When I had tanks I used the towel method and some sphagnum moss to keep humidity levels up

Thanks so much! I have been using tin foil and it works great. One of the log hides is bigger but I piled the substrate a little higher there so it's more secure. The other hide is smaller and I'm pretty sure it's the perfect size, usually he's in there or on top of the bigger one. Also do you know a good way to switch from live to f/t? He's one month old and been eating live before I got him, I'm personally fine feeding live but have no way to keep mice and I just can't drive 30 minutes to the reptile store every weekend.

Just try frozen thawed. Make sure to get it hot enough and most will take it...only thing I didn't see you mention was a thermostat for the uth? Do you have one?

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I ordered one online because I couldn't find it at my local pet store. It's at a pretty good temp so he'll be ok until it ships.

You don't need a thermostat, you can use a lamp dimmer for the UTH as well. If you can afford it go for it.

The way I read it the dimmer is on the heat lamp correct...or is the dimmer on the uth?

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The dimmer is on the heat lamp

Unplug it right away and get a dimmer or tstat. Unregulated they can reach over 120 and burn your snake....look up burn snake treads If You dont believe me.....

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