BP Newb In Need of Advice

Hey all, new to BPs, and the forum. I've been interested in getting one for a while, and I've done my research (made much easier thanks to you all). I've located an A+ place to make my purchase and it will still be a little while before I actually get one, I was going to work on setting up the cage perfectly first. Which brings me to my problem.

I'll be getting a baby, around four months old or so, and according to the guy at the store baby balls are quite shy and don't really "tame," or get used to you over time, but remain skittish and terrified until they reach a decent body size and feel more secure. This contradicts much of what I've read, saying that once they warm up to their new environment they can be "tamed" over time by handling them little by little. My original plan was to get a 10 gallon tank and fix it up as nice as I can, get a baby, and go through the motions of letting it get used to me. Though, if what this guy says is true, it would make more sense to cut my expenses and get a tub set up, and just work on letting it grow before I try to be too social with it.

Which, now that I think about it, even if that guy is wrong, a tub might be a better way to go at the moment until the snake reaches a more stable size, then invest a lot of money into a suitable tank (which I can't really do at the moment anyway).

I've looked around on here, and maybe I'm just blind, but I can't seem to find any good tub-tutorials. Are they happy in tubs? What equipment do I need to properly suit a tub to the snake's needs? How much will it run me? I've heard many times that it's a very good choice of housing, but of course tubs are ugly so, eventually I'll have a nice vivarium set up, but for now any information on tubs would be great. Thanks all. :)

So many BPs tend to be shy but like with all snakes, it varies by size. I'd start with a 6 qt tub until its established with you and then up to a 12 qt tub from there.
BPs do MUCH better in tubs from my experience

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Originally Posted by Pork Chops N' Corn Bread

So many BPs tend to be shy but like with all snakes, it varies by size. I'd start with a 6 qt tub until its established with you and then up to a 12 qt tub from there.
BPs do MUCH better in tubs from my experience

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What do I need to maintain heat and humidity with a tub?

I don't think I understand what your asking. When you say tub are you meaning a tub that goes in a rack type system or a tub set up on it's own with it's own temp control?

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Originally Posted by El Fragtasmo

What do I need to maintain heat and humidity with a tub?

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For heat an UTH (under tank heater), thermometer and a thermostat to control the UHT
For the humidity it is controled by ventulation. You can either put holes in the side of the tub or you can rig a screen over a larger hole in the top of the tub.

When house in a tub they are healthy, stress free and feeding it can be achieved in a glass tank too however it might require more work.


To set up a tub you will need

A tub (depending on size 3 to 10 dollars) - A baby will do very well in a 15 quarts tub.

Flexwatt heat tape (less than $10) or Ultratherm Heat pad ($15)

A reliable thermostat (around $75)

2 tight identical hides (plastic flower pot saucers or plastic bowls work great with babies (less than $3)

Water dish (less than $5)

A digital Thermometer/Hygrometer http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...Acu-Rite_T.jpg (12$)

Having an healthy BP priceless :D

Not sure if you are in the US or not but for tub, hides, thermometer and water dish go to Walmart and for the Heat source and thermostat this is the best place to find what you need http://www.reptilebasics.com/home.php

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Originally Posted by Larry Suttles

I don't think I understand what your asking. When you say tub are you meaning a tub that goes in a rack type system or a tub set up on it's own with it's own temp control?

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A tub on its own with its own temp control. Sorry, I really know nothing when it comes to anything tub-related.

heres a pretty good thread that covers setting up tubs

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...light=sterlite

Thanks much for the info and links, this should get me started no problem. Expect updates and a baby ball's introduction in the near future. :)