Yigg says THANK YOU!

Two months and ten days ago, I brought home my very first ball python. I've been keeping herps for about 4 years, so I thought I knew what I was getting myself into; the herps I've been keeping are crested geckos, so I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Oh, I did my research, of course-- grilling store staff about the snake's eating habits and history before I brought him home, getting his tank set up before the big day, getting advice from a friend who keeps snakes, the whole she-bang. I totally thought I was ready!

I was not ready.

The past two months have been an interesting ride as I've worked on getting Yigg's set-up optimized-- and as Yigg has worked on putting on weight. See, my poor little dude came from a big box pet store (I know, I know), and he was a measly 78 grams when I took him home.

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Yigg, day 1.

In the past two months he's been eating like a machine, and as of his last weigh-in he officially hit double his initial weight-- he's at 156 grams!! His body condition is finally starting to reach a place I'm happy with, I think his tank is getting close to a place HE'S happy with. About three feedings ago I successfully switched him over to rat pinks and there has been a significant and noticeable difference in his size since then. Yay!

He's shed twice already since he's been with me and I wouldn't be surprised if he pops again soon. We're still having trouble with his sheds, but I'm sure that's a humidity issue. (My AcuRite is in the mail and should arrive this week!) Fingers crossed shed #3 will go a lot more smoothly than #1 and #2.

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Yigg, just after his first shed.

Anyway, before I rattle on or get all mushy, I just wanted to say THANK YOU on behalf of myself and Yigg. I started browsing this forum within the first week of keeping my little man and it quickly became my go-to resource when I was having questions or issues with him. (Daniel1983's thread on the shedding process was a lifesaver, and Deborah's advice on setting up hides that he actually likes was a winner too.)

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Yigg's viv, most current picture. The hides are clear plastic plant pot saucers, so I had to bury them in his substrate, but I think we both like the effect. Not pictured: the AcuRite coming in the mail and the extra foliage I haven't had a chance to buy yet.

Thanks to you folks, I think Yigg's progressing a lot more quickly than he would have had I simply bumbled around on my own or gone by what I found in my first cursory research forays online. The advice you have accumulated here is in-depth, explicit, and all-around fantastic. I appreciate all the work you all put into curating this knowledge and sharing it with newbies like me! I look forward to many long years with my noodle (and I'm already daydreaming about the next BP I'd like to acquire :D)!

So one last time, thank you, and here's a few last pictures to wrap up!

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There were a couple of days in a row where I kept finding Yigg crammed up between the screen top of his cage and the acrylic panels I put in there to keep heat and humidity in. Given that this was during the period where he and I were fighting over the f/t rat pinks, I think he was just hungry. Silly dude!

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I put him on my GF's desk and he crawled up onto Carnivac here completely unassisted. All ready to ride into battle, I suppose! This is my most recent photo of him and he's finally starting to show some of the BP chub. I couldn't be happier-- although he could possibly use a little more heft yet?

If you got this far, thanks for reading!

Looks good! If your still having trouble with humidity, I'd get a little bigger water bowl and put plastic wrap over most of the top.

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I do have most of the top already covered with acrylic paneling, but I'll be sure to give that a try if the humidity remains an issue. Thank you!

When we had a screen lid we used to eco earth expandable bedding - it retains humidity better than any other substrate. Also moss can help too but you have to soak it every few days.

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Originally Posted by Snoopyslim

When we had a screen lid we used to eco earth expandable bedding - it retains humidity better than any other substrate. Also moss can help too but you have to soak it every few days.

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I'll look into that! I've been meaning to get moss for his hides when he's in shed, but a bedding change might be in order too. Waiting on the digitial hygrometer right now to get some solid readings and I'll decide how to proceed from there, of course. Thank you!