Beginner Owner Questions

Alright, so ive had to fight my mom quite some time now to allow me to get a snake, ive been doing some research and this is what ive come up with:
•getting an animal plastics t8 4’x2’x1’
•a heat pad
•a thermostat/regulator for said heat pad
•coco coir mixed with cypress mulch (i think? i generally get the woods mixed up and also depends on what species)
•many many hides and plants (real or fake obviously do research if real)
•60% humidity if i remember correctly
•a hot spot and a cool spot aka temperature gradient (temps dependent on what species)
•if necessary get a CHE with a regulator aswell
•a florescent or led light (for viewers pleasure mainly)
•UVB is a no/yes depending on who you ask
•make sure the tank has a lock

anything that i am missing?

also, id like some suggestions on what species to get. right now im set on a ball python morph (cant remember the name currently) but im
open to suggestions. boas kinda scare me cause of the whole constrictor part honestly. also, anything 6ft and under is ideal



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On a few but not all of your points, since all of them are very solid, I just want to give some commentary (if BP):

• I've heard recommended that you might want to go for the slightly taller t10 or t12 because the 12 inches of height in a t8 doesn't give you much room while cleaning. You can also give more climbing opportunities with a bit more height if you want.
• 55-65% humidity is usually what I aim for, 70% while in shed.
• If you're doing an AP enclosure, a radiant heat panel by Pro-products is the best option. They will ship it directly to APCages at your request and install it for you.
• I like to provide UVB/UVA because reptiles can see UVA, so just using a regular florescent/LED bulb means that a part of their visual spectrum is missing. They will also bask in the light if given the chance with UVB. It's not required, since they are a nocturnal species, but it's easy enrichment to give. Just add an extra light bulb! lol. If you do go this route, make sure the tube spans at least 2/3s the length of the enclosure, and give them plenty of opportunities to get away from the light or get closer to it. The flourescent/LED bulb can span the entire enclosure but that's just what I've researched for the UV bulbs.

As for suggestions, I do wish I'd known about Russian rat snakes before getting my BP -- I might have gone with that first if I'd known about them. Their temperature ranges fall right within my living temperatures (70 degrees to 82 degrees) and they're diurnal, and have a reputation as super curious/friendly. Usually get between 5-6 feet but they're pretty thin, being a colubrid. Either way, the choice is up to you!

thank you! the whole UVB thing comes pretty standard with most reptiles so i was probably going to do it anyways, just sucks how expensive they are, especially cause i have to buy a 4ft long one for my tortoise and a 2ft one for my beardie. let alone the fixtures. i will definitely look into the russian rats! i need something that is friendly cause if my mom or my sister get bit shell FREAK (i dont mind too much). i was originally gonna go with a western hognose but they stay quite small and i want to use a bigger terrarium and have a more active species. i just looked into dwarf burmese pythons (which are beautiful) but alls i saw were things about them being crazy pretty much lol


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