Hey there new member/owner with a lot of questions lol

Hi! so I basically wrote the story out in my profile but I acquired a ball python under unusual circumstances. his name's Godric and he's very sweet/social. I think I'm doing all the right things as far as his care goes but any help/tips that anyone might wanna throw me would be much appreciated.

snake specs: look at my avatar. That's about how much I know. He's pretty cute right? I'd say he's close to 3' (or a meter) in length. like I said before, super sweet demeanor. he will gladly chill out on me like all day If I let him. I always have to pry him off me lol. I'd like to know more about him though for sure. anyone got an idea what his age could be? I'm not completely convinced his growth hasn't been stunted. I'm pretty sure he hasn't usually had the warmest tank locations/conditions before I got him. as for species/breed, I'm pretty sure he's a ball python and I have no clue what his breed is.

tank specs: He's in a 50 gallon tank with a heat mat underneath 1/3rd of the left side. and 2 night time heat lamps overhead of that spot a 100 watt and a 50 watt bulp. the 50 is in case the room gets too cold (the room he's in is VERY, unavoidably cold, unfortunately) that's why the water is in between those two, It's lukewarm but definitely cooler than the outside air so he can chill in it. Plus he has the other third of the tank which is much colder. it's 75°f where his hiding rock is, in the center of the tank. inside the rock is like 80°f and that's where he seems to chill for the most part. prolly cause it's the warmest spot.

I don't know if I'm able to post pictures here yet but If I can and I figure it out I totally will.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rexfuzz

Hi! so I basically wrote the story out in my profile but I acquired a ball python under unusual circumstances. his name's Godric and he's very sweet/social. I think I'm doing all the right things as far as his care goes but any help/tips that anyone might wanna throw me would be much appreciated.

snake specs: look at my avatar. That's about how much I know. He's pretty cute right? I'd say he's close to 3' (or a meter) in length. like I said before, super sweet demeanor. he will gladly chill out on me like all day If I let him. I always have to pry him off me lol. I'd like to know more about him though for sure. anyone got an idea what his age could be? I'm not completely convinced his growth hasn't been stunted. I'm pretty sure he hasn't usually had the warmest tank locations/conditions before I got him. as for species/breed, I'm pretty sure he's a ball python and I have no clue what his breed is.

tank specs: He's in a 50 gallon tank with a heat mat underneath 1/3rd of the left side. and 2 night time heat lamps overhead of that spot a 100 watt and a 50 watt bulp. the 50 is in case the room gets too cold (the room he's in is VERY, unavoidably cold, unfortunately) that's why the water is in between those two, It's lukewarm but definitely cooler than the outside air so he can chill in it. Plus he has the other third of the tank which is much colder. it's 75°f where his hiding rock is, in the center of the tank. inside the rock is like 80°f and that's where he seems to chill for the most part. prolly cause it's the warmest spot.

I don't know if I'm able to post pictures here yet but If I can and I figure it out I totally will.

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congrats on the new addition. Several things here.

1. that undertank heater NEEDS to be regulated by a thermostat. You can get a cheap one of amazon, but I highly recommend looking up the HerpStats, they are pricey but worth every penny. If that UTH isn't regulated I'd suggest unplugging it as they can get over 100 degrees quick fast and in a hurry.

2. that snake needs at the very least an overall ambient temp of 84-85 degrees. More ideal is creating a hotspot at around 90 degrees, and having a cool side at around 80 degrees. Overall the snake needs a warmer area than 80 degrees.

3. yes that is indeed a ball python lol.

also, have a hide at both ends of the tank. 1 hot and 1 cold.

thank you very much this is all really helpful =)

I can't see your avatar very well but you can upload pictures like this:
1.) Upload the picture to an image hosting site and copy the direct link. Personally, I prefer Imgur.
2.) Click the square that looks like a picture of a tree (insert image button) when you're writing your post and paste the link in there.
3.) Finish writing whatever you need and press "submit reply." You can also press "preview post" to see what your post would look like.

I would love to see more of your new snake. :)
Hope this helps.

Okay so I thought I'd update and just say that I've got the tank heat and humidity situation under control and he seems happy as a snake can seem to me. He even seems to like being pet which I found odd. I do need to find a regular supplier in my area of small sized (for now) rats though. I'll post pictures soon. I have plenty on my Facebook though if anyone wants to see.

He's doing very well by the looks of it so here's a picture of him I finally managed to upload. he likes chilling by the pool.




https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...%2FSraaXNH.jpg

Is that UTH plugged in? Does it have a thermostat hooked up to it?

Cute snake :)

So, here's my two cents... my snakes both have UTH and overhead lights during the day (8am to 8 pm). They are both out right now basking in their lights. They do not have two separate hidey huts because I want to see them. They are trained to be socially adept so I can bring them to meet with children and the elderly anytime I want. I did some of this training with my first three snakes, and they were adopted to handicapped kids with allergies. These kids finally have an animal they can play with! So, the parameters that are being shown here are not necessarily correct.
They need one hidey hut, preferably placed half on/half off the UTH. They need fresh water every day. My little Mikey is actually a water snob. He won't come out until he hears me replace his water, then he comes out within 5 minutes! Hee, hee!
They both work with the public, and they have no problem with their living environments. Just to add, they also have two climbing sticks, several large rocks, a kitty ball (with the bell), and a toilet paper roll to play with. Seriously. My snakes are fun to watch. Sometimes when I'm dozing in the living room they wake me up with the kitty bells. They need enrichment anytime you can provide it.
Anyway, I'm new to this blog, but I'm not new to training snakes. Sending my best and *hugs*!

That being said, if you don't intend to handle your snakes every day, then I do recommend everything they are saying about two hides... My boys are too busy to need two hides!