tips

i am about to get a BP tommorow
is there anything i should know or any tips
i know temps cool side 80 hot side 90
humidity 50% and when shedding 70%
ill need help on the humidity so if there is any ways to raise and lower it
put two hides on hot and cool side
put a water bowl that it can fit in
my tank is tall but i flipped it so the vent is on the side and theres lil vents on top(vent had clips)
the tank is 36" L 18" high and 18" W
ima use newspaper
and get a UTH and a acru-right or what ever that thing is called or i might get another type
size of prey is the largest part of the snake
i just dont know if i should use live or thawed
and if anyone has any pics of ur enclosures that would help alot
ty

Hi there and welcome to the forums. Sounds like your on a great start. First I would suggest getting a thermostat to control that UTH. You will find it is very helpful and safer for your snake. Also make sure your hides are snug. BPs like to feel them selfs touching ALL sides of there hides. Also you can feed either way. I would suggest F/T or Prekilled prey because it is safer for your animal. Im not sure if turning the cage on its side is needed but someone with more knowledge regarding that will be along shortly that would know. With out knowing the Humidity levels it is hard to say what you should do or any tricks. You may want to have a look at this thread however http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=32800 . I hope this helps. :rockon:

Ya got tha basics for the environment, temp, humidity (though 60% is probably ideal) and hides. A few questions though, how large/old is the BP you are getting? If it is a hatchling or juvie, that enclosure is going to be too large, and it may stress out. If it is an adult, that should work fine dimension-wise. As far as raising and lowering humidity, that depends on what the humidity is in the room it will be kept. The more ventilation there is in the tank, the lower the humidity will be, or the harder it will be to keep humidity up. Be sure to have something to regulate the UTH, a good t-stat is ideal, but a rheostat will work too. As far as feeding, start feeding it whatever it is currently eating (F/T or live, mice or rats), and if you would like to switch, do it once the snake has had time to settle in.

Most importantly, get your temps and humidity dialed in before you purchase the snake, so the acclimation period can go as smoothly as possible. Hope that helps :sunny:

-Evan