Starting with a BP

Hello, I'm new to the forums and my son wants to get a enchi pastel ball python. I heard that they make excellent pets and good companions. We went to go see the snake he wants in a local reptile shop. I concerned when the snake that he brought out had this rain of black stuff on the top of his body. Could these be mites? I'll provide a picture of a close up. I'll be setting him up in a tub (I'll provide a picture of how I want the tub to look like). What size of tub does he need and what size UTH? I already have the thermostat I just need the UTH. Thanks! Oh and do I need to stick the UTH to the actual tub it self or on a shelf?

http://imgur.com/5Fab7Is
http://imgur.com/78HFqzi
http://imgur.com/48LYQKX
http://imgur.com/jymv2Q5

Those are the photos of how the BP looks like, the tub, the close up, and my son holding the snake.

Thanks! :)

Thats just the patterning.

I would go with a 28qt tub. The darkness is just the pattern. Nice looking snake. I would go with an uth that covers roughly 1/3rd of the tub and you can stick it right under the tub or leave the backing on the sticky side(provided it has one) and just rest the tub on top. Also, make sure to have a rheostat or thermostat on the heat pad. Good luck

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Originally Posted by chilliscale

I would go with a 28qt tub. The darkness is just the pattern. Nice looking snake. I would go with an uth that covers roughly 1/3rd of the tub and you can stick it right under the tub or leave the backing on the sticky side(provided it has one) and just rest the tub on top. Also, make sure to have a rheostat or thermostat on the heat pad. Good luck

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Thanks! However, I went to Walmart today to pick up a tub, I didn't see the reply's until now. I believe I picked up a 34 Qt. Do they get stressed out by having they're tub too big?

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Originally Posted by Cthulhu2015

Thats just the patterning.

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Can't believe I made myself look clueless haha. Thanks!

Some will but with enough hides and or burrowing substrate they are usually fine. I have a young ball that refused to eat in a 6 qt tub and he was smaller than the snake pictured for sure. I put him in a 28 qt with a good inch of aspen and no hides and he has taken off on feeding and is doing great. Some people have had lots of problems with large tubs and small snakes but it has never been an issue for any of my animals

That is a nice setup. I would try out that tub first and see how he does in it. If he eats for you an is not showing any stressful behavior he will be fine in that enclosure. If not just get a smaller size and upgrade him to that one later. Very good looking guy. Good luck and welcome to you and your son to the BP Obsession!! :D

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Originally Posted by ItsAllNew2Me!

That is a nice setup. I would try out that tub first and see how he does in it. If he eats for you an is not showing any stressful behavior he will be fine in that enclosure. If not just get a smaller size and upgrade him to that one later. Very good looking guy. Good luck and welcome to you and your son to the BP Obsession!! :D

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Haha thanks! My son is already looking into leuistic russo's and piebalds! Let's see if my boss can give me some extra hours. LOL

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Originally Posted by danielwilu2525

Haha thanks! My son is already looking into leuistic russo's and piebalds! Let's see if my boss can give me some extra hours. LOL

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Well that young man has a good eye!! I plan on breeding my Russo het clowns and a few het pieds next year as my first year of breeding!! You two better be careful this hobby can be really addicting. I actually bought 16 last year and 4 more this year so far!! Before that I only had 1 normal BP for three years. I also started breeding rats to feed them. Have fun and don't get carried away!:gj: (I know who am I to talk :P)

Setting a limit on that boy now. Only one BP a year. Don't want him to have too many responsibilities. After 3 or 5 he's done. I'm actually getting interested myself... Haha!

Be careful. My daughter started me out. Now the snakes have their own room and the food has half the freezer.