Hello, Newbie here! pics

well I've fianlly granted myself a life long dream of owning a pet snake! My ex-girlfriend would have nothing to do with one, so now that she is no more, I said why the hell not!!!

I did some research and decided to go with a Ball Python. I went to the local private owned pet shop and found my snake. (he or she..I'm going with he!) is a Captive bread little ball. I'm calling him "Merle".
http://a871.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...d2d227a23e.jpg
Here is his enclosure, which I based alot off of what the owner of the shop told me and what I got from here.

http://a749.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...70107050ec.jpg

apoligies for quality of pics, it was a camera phone!

I do have a few questions:

1. I usually keep the 75w reptile light sitting ontop of the cage facing down with a UTH on the same side. the temp only gets to about 80f during mid-day. is this warm enough?? the top of the cage is wire mesh lid.

2. This is my first pet snake, and I don't want to handle him too much, is everyday ok?

3. am I gonna get bit??? lol

4. how often do i need to feed him?

Welcome aboard! You've come to the right place to get questions answered! :handshake

1. I usually keep the 75w reptile light sitting ontop of the cage facing down with a UTH on the same side. the temp only gets to about 80f during mid-day. is this warm enough?? the top of the cage is wire mesh lid.

What you want to do is monitor the temps in the entire cage, and try to keep them steady 24/7. The cooler end of the cage should be around 80, but not less than 75. The warmer end should aim for upper 80's to low 90's.

Large glass tanks like that can be a bear to heat and keep humidity in. Covering the sides with some insulating material can help, as well as covering most of the screen to keep warmth and humidity inside. Also...switch out the white bulb for red or blue so you can leave it on 24/7 to help maintain steady temps.

2. This is my first pet snake, and I don't want to handle him too much, is everyday ok?

Let him get settled in first. Once he's eating with confidence, it's fine to start handling. As for how long and how often...it sort of depends on your snake. Some snakes are very laid back and don't mind being handled daily (except after being fed or during shed)....some stress more easily and prefer minimal handling. Baby snakes tend to be far more nervous than older snakes, too.

3. am I gonna get bit??? lol

Maybe. Maybe not. I've had mine for almost two years now (and had my gophersnake for about 5 years) and have handled a LOT of others besides my own and have never been bit. But even if it happens...as I understand it, its far more startling than it is painful...especially from a baby.

4. how often do i need to feed him?

Every seven days is fine. You can feed a baby every 5 days or so, if he wants to eat that often.

Hope this has helped some. Good luck with the little cutie!!

Thanks! I'm actually attempting the blanket over some of the top of the cage now, and the temp is reading 85, so that is a good idea. yea, im goona go get one of those night time bulbs.

a funny story, when I brought him home from the shop, he was in a paper bag. I opened the top of the bag, only to be met by a little head coming out of the top of the bag. It scared me pretty good! LOL.:snake:

Howdy Flip! im new here also and i know already the info found here is priceless. Congrats on the new snake also.

you are going to come to this place religously! i love it hear. i just got my bp last week.

the towel trick works like a charm. if humidity is an issue damp it. i have a 20 gall and i'm finally getting thinks perfect.

one thing i have learned is, don't go cheap on a thermastat! helixs are awesome! Good luck!

Yep, you are going to gain a wealth of information on this site!

I had heat and humidity problems until I bought some dimmer switches from Lowes and laid a tshirt on the top of the tank. Since that, I've not had to do anything....worked like a charm!

Good luck with Merle!

I dont use tanks anymore, but you might want to find something other than something cloth to cover the top. Go to your local hardware store you might be able to get a scrap piece of plexi glass to cover some of the top. If your heat lamp gets moved by someone or something. Might not be a good thing.
One thing about the feeding. Im not sure on what type of bedding your using. You might want to feed in another tank or something. Just so your snake doesnt get any big chunks of the bedding in its mouth. For most of my smaller snakes, if they are on any kind of loose bedding. I feed them in another tub. I use a 12 qt tub. It works great for the smaller snakes.

Getting bit, Like said "maybe or maybe not". Once you get use to your snake you will kind of figure out. When he wants to be messed with and when he doesnt. A good way to get bit is handling mice/rats first then picking up your snake. Or if you offer food and he doesnt take it. You take the mouse/rat out and then you try to pick him up. (never leave your snake alone with the mouse/rat, within 10 minutes if not taken, take mouse/rat out)

One more thing about getting bit. If you do get bit like said "its not to bad". Yeah a bigger ball will have a bigger bite. If you do get bit if its a baby. I know it will freak you out and make you jump or jerk your arm/hand back. Try not to do that with a baby if it does grab you. You could hurt its teeth or jaws/mouth. Same when they are bigger not so much because you will hurt them. More so you dont hurt yourself worse.

Also make sure with the UTH you have something to control it. Im not so sure you would need a Helix for one 20g tank. Might be a bit overkill. If the price isnt a big deal then go for it. They have worked great for me. There are other thermostats out that will do the job. Like most things you get what you pay for. Buy something to cheap and its kind of a gamble. You will have to check around on that I do us a helix on all my racks and my incubator. So you would have to get advice on the others thermostats from someone else.