Newbie BP owner, how am I doing?

Ok, I got this BP exactly 1 week ago from a pet store. He is about 20inches and the biggest one in the cage. He is really scared of being touched on the head so I am trying to warm him up to that with help from my gf who has a big boa. I ordered a mister/humidifier because I cant stand over his cage every half hr spraying it down. I am debating on buying a big reptarium to ensure he gets to be a decent size, but have been hearing conflicting information about them.

So for his set up I have for him:

20 gallon tank
1 Hider Rock
1 Driftwood/hider
1 coconut water dish
1 vine
2/3 fake plants
bark bedding and moss bedding

I will upload some photos after I hear some feedback from a few people. So discuss away! I will accept all info given here to me because you all know more then me! I just want the very best for this snake.

Do you have a mesh cover on the tank? If so, cover most of it with acrylic or something to keep the humidity in...

Also, what are you using for heat?

As of right now I have 2 50w blue light blubs and 2 50w blue nite blubs...they came with the snake starter kit. Yeah its like a chicken wire mesh...I'm getting the pics uploaded now

ok so you have "stuff" but what are all your levels like?

temperature and humidity?

pics would help us help you. post em up!;)

Well the temp is always 80-87 varying throughout the day and night, but when I spray his cage the humidity moves up to about 65-70, but then 10 min later its down to lower 50's.

Sorry its taking a while to upload pics, he is feeding right meow and im getting some nice shots :)

but anyway here is one of his cage!

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/3...0041le9.th.jpg

Ok, I hope I dont catch heat for double posting, but I looked around and I am in a hurry to get these pics up and pick up my girl from work.

Close up of his cage, left side
http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/4...0046ih9.th.jpg


Pics of Jeezy Hamilton eating. My girlfriend told me to feed him in the bathtub so he doesnt get used to biting in his cage when we handle him. This is his second mouse, his first was a pinky.

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/9...0049ra4.th.jpg
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/7...0048st8.th.jpg
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6...0047ge1.th.jpg


Anyway I dont have the best camera, obviously, but I thought they would be cool. PLease any comments or responses would be great. Jeezy ate this mouse feet first unlike his first/:

I would just cover most of the mesh top with acrylic or alum foil for humidity. The lamps can kill humidity more than an under tank heater would. I could be wrong, but a mister setup may be overkill. I use tubs for my bp's, so humidity just happens. I have had success using foil over the top. You can just cut out the spaces for the lamps. There will always be a debate over feeding in or out of cage, but as long as he eats well I don't think it really matters (IMO). Congrats on the new bp!

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I am debating on buying a big reptarium to ensure he gets to be a decent size, but have been hearing conflicting information about them.

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The size of the enclosure has no bearing on the future size of your BP, however large enclosure can be overwhelming and stress your BP.

Also if you are thinking about the apogee reptirarium those are not meant for BP but for lizard, they do not allow you to maintain proper temps or humidity needed for a BP as they are made of nylon type screen material.

I would also recommend 2 tight identical hides (with all sides touching your BP's body)

As far as thermometer/hygrometer the dial device that I see in your enclosure are not accurate and I would recommend you to get a digital Thermometer/hygrometer (something like this will work just fine http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...Acu-Rite_T.jpg)

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Well the temp is always 80-87 varying throughout the day and night

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Temps should remain constant day an night, offering a gradient of 80-84 on the cool side and 90-94 on the warm side.

Also what I did not see in your list

Do you have a UTH to provide belly heat? Do you have a thermostat to regulate the temps and avoid over-heating?

I would also recommend you to go over those

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...004#post569004

Ok, I read that if you give the snakes a bigger enclosure, they would be able to grow bigger. As far as the heat goes, I just added foil over his cage with holes for his lights. i will be adding a digi thermo and humidity meter after I get his new cage all figured out.

He likes to sit underneath the log in the middle of the enclosure, rather then his hiding rock, but I am just happy he is doing well.

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Originally Posted by Mr. 17.5

Ok, I read that if you give the snakes a bigger enclosure, they would be able to grow bigger.

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Are you thinking of fish?