Tips for new BP owner!

So I just got my first snake ever earlier this week. He's a male, about 5 months old, and his name is Jafar. I was hoping that some of the more experienced owners could offer me some advice for things I'll experience down the road with my new little friend.

Right now he's in a 20 gallon zoo med tank, he has a UTH as well as an overhead lamp to help increase the temperature. His warm side is about 92, and his cool side about 77, the humidity is 50%. Right now he's on aspen substrate (it's what came with the starter kit that I got). He also has a climbing branch that he loves, which was surprising to me since I know that ball's are mostly terrestrial, as well as a habba hut and some fake plants for additional hiding spots as well as climbing according to him.

We've already had an issue with mites, however I'm pretty sure that they're all dead now. I cleaned his entire cage with reptile spray that kills mites, as well as sprayed him and soaked him and all of the things in his tank in some warm water and I haven't seen any mites since.

He's extremely tame, he sits in my hand as well as explores up and down my arms and shirt, and he seems like a very happy little guy. The lady at the pet store I got him from (I know you shouldn't get them from pet stores, but this one was a local one not one like petsmart and they got him from a local breeder) said that he has never struck her or acted aggressive at all.

Feel free to post some advice for me! Anything and everything would be appreciated!

1. If you don't have a thermostat for the uth, GET ONE.

2. Mites suck. It's hard to kill them all having a loose substrate. Removing it and placing the snake on paper towels may be best for now. The white paper allows you to easily see any and all mites, dead or alive that are otherwise hidden in a loose substrate.

3. Learn to use the search feature. Every question a new owner can ask can be answered by using this feature. It's a revolving door here with newer keepers asking the same questions.

4. Hopefully you don't need any help and run into no issues by having a happy snake with a nice long life. But, if you do we will be here for you.

It maybe better for you to post any queries and questions here !?!

For what it's worth ... I'd add a few more branches , loads of fake foliage .

They are nocturnal so they'll normally sleep all day ( not lazy as many seem to think ) and will climb for hours in the evening if they have branches ( many don't bother for some bizarre reason ) .

I'd also get yourself a digital temp gun off eBay for £10 just to take random temp readings in the warm hide and the cool side etc .


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