I'm New....

We just got a BP for the first time yesterday. I really don't know much about them other than what I have read on this site and few others. I think there is a TON of information, and I could read for days. I now know a few things that I need to add/change to make Funky more comfortable and healthy. The biggest question I have is if it takes a few days or weeks to get everything in order am I hurting the snake at all? I'm sure it was stressful making the move yesterday and will continue to take some timeto adjust.
If anyone has any suggestions that would be great!

Our BP came home a little under a week ago. I agree the info can be plentiful lol!!! Good luck with the new addition :)

Just let him be for a week or so. Make sure his environment is set up and he's comfy. When he's comfy you won't see him much, Royals are not very exciting. They sleep ALOT. Then after a week or so start with short handling sessions, I started with 10-15 minutes everyday except for the 2 days after he's been fed. Hope this helps a little. Enjoy the new addition!

Thanks. He/she is very moody right now. I have a five year old and I want her to be able to play with him, but he snaps even if I'm changing things in the tank. I added a shoebox so he could have another hiding place and he didn't like me being in there. So I guess I should give him an adjustment period then.

Sounds like he's just stressed now. I may have missed it but could you explain your setup a little more?

I didn't really explain it. He's in a 55 gallon tank. We have the heat thing under the tank, (i know you have an acronym for it but I'm not up to speed) it covers about half the length. I have a larger log for it to go under and I just put a shoe box in there. The bottom is covered with stuff that looks like carpet, there is a lamp on top (the side without the mat thing). I need to get a thermometer/hygrometer today. The top is a screen with a blanket over the top (not where the lamp is).

I'd ditch the carpet and go to Aspen or Bed A Beast or Eco Earth or something like that. Alot of members here use Cypress Mulch I think? Guess it's good for humidity. Definitely make sure you keep the humidity between 50 and 60% you'll get good sheds that way. As for the blanket If it's to keep humidity in I'd switch it for aluminum foil or plexiglass or I actually just use some damp dish towels but whatever works for you. Keep us updated once you get a hygrometer. Also if you don't have a Thermostat I highly recommend one http://www.spyderrobotics.com or a rheostat if a Thermostat is a little out of your price range at the moment. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by Funky#2

We just got a BP for the first time yesterday. I really don't know much about them other than what I have read on this site and few others. I think there is a TON of information, and I could read for days. I now know a few things that I need to add/change to make Funky more comfortable and healthy. The biggest question I have is if it takes a few days or weeks to get everything in order am I hurting the snake at all? I'm sure it was stressful making the move yesterday and will continue to take some timeto adjust.
If anyone has any suggestions that would be great!

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Welcome to the forum!! Ball pythons are typically shy little snakes who need a week or two to adjust to their new environment and the new routine. Many members don't even offer a meal until 10-14 days has passed.

As for your tank set up, there are several members who keep their snakes successfully in a glass tank- I, however, am not one of them! ;) I can make the guess that your hides are too big and the tank is too big as well. These snakes, especially while they are young and small, really thrive in tight and small spaces; makes 'em feel secure :)

Here's a link about setting up tanks that you might find useful: http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56846.

And here's the ball python care sheet link: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59.

These two link might help to condense the massive amounts of info on this site and might help to narrow the things you might need to address now and not in a couple of weeks from now!

Again, welcome to the forum!! :D

I took a few pictures. I added some mulch, for lack of a better term, and changed the log I previously had in there for to hide into two smaller identical ones. There is an UTH on the left side and Ihave the lamp on the other. I just put the thermometer and hygrometer in so Im not sure the actual temp and humidity yet. Let me know what you guys think.

http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/k...427/Funky1.jpg

http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/k...7/Funky005.jpg

You shouldn't keep the water under the heat lamp.