New BP owner

Hi, I'm Rick I M new to this site and I bought a 1 month old ball python last week. My roommate also bought one. They both have there own 10 gallon tanks. I am using jungle mix as its substrate. they were both born in captivity. In my tank I got a good size water bowl and a rock cave hid. it looks like a hollow rock with a hole to get in and ithe top of it can be removed. only one side of the tank is exposed where you can look in the other 3 sides are covered with that plastic decoration stuff you use on the outside on the back of a fish tank I bought a cool looking dinosour one (thats the only one they had that was not fishes). I have a 50 watt red light with sillicon coating on it it is in a light unit that is designed to be over the tank (thats where I have it) I have a screen with clips on the top of my tank.


My roommates setup is a bit more cheaper he has a 10 gallon tank with a good size water dish, a wooden log hide(basicly like a tree limb was cut in half and hollowed out) and jungle mix substrate he has a screen with clips and the same light as I have. his tank has all the sides exposesed except his tank is in the corner of a wall so really 2 sides are exposed.


for food I have a large plastic rubber made container with pine bedding with 8 mice food and water.


this is my first time owning a snake or a retile and wanna know how im doing so far.



thanks

rick

I've owned a bp for about 2 months now, so I'm still a little new. I recommend a second, identical hide to be put on the opposite end of the tank. There needs to be a heat gradient that for most people is provided by under tank heaters and flexwatt heat tape. The basking side (1/3-1/2 of the cage) should be within 2-3 degrees of 90 fahrenheit and the cooler side between 75 and 80 preferably.

The humidity in the cage needs to be 50-60%, then between 65 and 70% when your bp goes into shed (blue eyes, faded skin).

The hide is good, but it NEEDS to be one where it surrounds your snake on ALL sides. It should fit snugly around the snake. Your roommate's wooden log hide will work if you have one end next to the glass with bedding covering up the area between that end and the glass. Also, you can fill up the log with more bedding so the bp can just squish himself into it.

I find my bp crawling on his log and on his plant that's attached to the cage via suction cups.

I researched the jungle mix substrate, and it looks good. It will retain moisture for the cage's humidity and works for burrowing (like my snake).

Make sure your cage lid locks and can't be pushed up, because bps are VERY strong and muscular, and can escape if it isn't secured tightly and properly every time.

Good luck on your little bps! Hope to see pics soon.

Sam Jane

I would highly recommend using a UTH with a thermostat or a dimmer instead of the lamps. Lamps suck humidity that ball pythons need to shed properly.

You didn't mention how you were measuring your temps and humidity so I assume you are either not doing so or are doing it the wrong way (no offense). Ideally, you will want this unit: http://www.songbirdgarden.com/store/...URITE00891.jpg
It has everything you need to measure temps and humidity in your enclosure.

Personally, I don't like the jungle bedding because it is too much like dirt. That kind of stuff works well in living vivariums, but not really for anything else in my opinion.

I think the rule on this site is that you must post pictures before asking any advice. :D Everybody loves pics... just kidding. Not a rule.

I'm a new owner myself so I can't offer much help. I'm using unprinted newspaper as substrate - much easier to clean up. The under tank heater is very nice - I'd recommend one of those.

:welcome:

I wish there was a option for good. I mean there are always room for improvements with any enclosure, but I don't think your's is as medicre as ok.

I agree with all that's been said before. Temps, humidity, and security are three really important aspects of bp husbandry. Good luck, welcome, and I look forward to pics of your enclosure/little guy.

Welcome!

check out the "glass tank setup" sticky on the BP Husbandry Forum. It will give you great ideas regarding your setups.:rofl:

:welcome: to the forum. In addition to a good set-up and husbandry, it is also a good idea to keep accurate feed/ growth records. I keep track of when I fed them, what I fed them, how big the prey was, when they shed, when they poop etc... I also weigh my snakes at least once per month. Usually after a poop or shed, or when ever I start noticing a growth spurt. Keeping accurate records will help the vets whenever you take your snake in for a check-up or if it gets sick. Also if you snake gets anything like mouth rot, scale rot, or mites document that to as to what it was, what you treated it with, etc... This will also help you, the snake and the vet. I also keep the vet results from check-ups. I do this in case I ever need to re-home my snakes then I will have an accurate history to turn over to the new owners. I know I would be more likely to take a snake that came with a documented history ( whether good or bad) over one that the owner "claimed" had always been a good, healthy snake. That's just my opinion and recommendation. Oh! and make sure you always keep a camera handy. We always like to see pics of snakes...:D and also if you have any problems, a picture really is worth a thousand words...


Rob

Ok here is my updated setup. I have a rock cave hide, a water dish big enough for my bp to submerge his body, a piece of smooth wood that i bought at the pet shop for something to climb. my background sheet covering all but one side of my tank a head lamp a Under the tank heater, a hydrometer/temp monitor (electronic) jungle mix substrate.

I have been spraying water into the tank for humidity but im going to by a tank fogger.

My BP has started to shead right now his caps are a white color but has not been agressive when I have taken him out. Since I seen signs of sheading starting I been keeping the humidity level around 87% to help with the sheading my temp has been between 90 degrees and 85 degrees lower when i spray the tank due to removal of the heat lamp. I also have towels covering the tank screen in order to help keep the temp and a good level and my humidity high. I think the wood and the stone cave hide will help when it comes time to start sheading. My bp is 1 1/2 month old I have him eating regular size mice. 1 to 2 times a week. The pet shop keeps recommending if he is eating regular mice to switch him to rats but im afraid that the rats will hurt my snake as he will not eat unless its live pray.

Ideas and tips are welcome as this is my first time owning a snake of any kind
I really am trying to provide the best care I can for my BP

You'll need a second identical hide.
Don't get a tank fogger, it's a waste of money in this case.
Do this instead.
Or, get some sphagnum moss, get it damp and put it in the tank.
Or, run a humidifier in the room.

87% is too high, even during shed. Aim for 60-70%. I know spraying causes the humidity to fluctuate, but the tips I gave should help even it out. If possible, stop using the lamp all together, or put it on a lamp dimmer so it won't dry the air as much.

Also, try to follow the 10-15% of snake's body weight rule for prey items. Get a hold of a kitchen scale that measures in grams to find the appropriate size feeder. Or, find prey that is the size of the width of the snake at its largest point.

You said his eyes are white? They normally turn blue before a shed, then go back to normal right before they start.