Some NewB ?'s

Ok i just purchased a young ball python, I brought him home and have him in a 15gallon glass tank, He has a heat lamp with water and a hider so far. Anyway my ? is...is it normal for him to be very active and antsy since i brought him home 6 hrs ago. And should i let him go 4 a lil while till he gets use to his surroundings or, is it ok to bring him out of his tank now?:confused:

He needs to settle in for at least a week before handling or feeding, also he should have 2 identical coll & warm side hides, a heat pad hooked to a t-stat or rheostat (94*) for the warm side.

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Originally Posted by llovelace

He needs to settle in for at least a week before handling or feeding, also he should have 2 identical coll & warm side hides, a heat pad hooked to a t-stat or rheostat (94*) for the warm side.

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i do have to hides on each side but there no identical. I will have to get another 1 tomorrow and swap it out. Thanks.

Also for some reason at the pet store they told me not to go with a heating pad?:confused:

If i do decide to get a pad, do i use the pad and the lamp and the same time?

when i had my bp in a tank, i actually had a heat pad AND a heat lamp.. i later discovered that the heat lamp sucks the humidity leaving ur bp w a bad shed. so i just left the heat lamp off, and kept the heat pad in between 92 - 95 degrees. i strongly suggest a heat pad but a t-stat is ESSENTIAL. now i have my snakes in tubs so lol, works best for me and my snakes =D

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Originally Posted by h00blah

when i had my bp in a tank, i actually had a heat pad AND a heat lamp.. i later discovered that the heat lamp sucks the humidity leaving ur bp w a bad shed. so i just left the heat lamp off, and kept the heat pad in between 92 - 95 degrees. i strongly suggest a heat pad but a t-stat is ESSENTIAL. now i have my snakes in tubs so lol, works best for me and my snakes =D

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When i purchase a pad should i get 1 the size of the tank out just for half of the tank?

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Originally Posted by pj240

When i purchase a pad should i get 1 the size of the tank out just for half of the tank?

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It should be about 1/4 -1/3 the size of the tank

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Originally Posted by pj240

When i purchase a pad should i get 1 the size of the tank out just for half of the tank?

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It should cover about 1/3 of the bottom of the tank. They have sizes rated for certain tank sizes.

Also, when you get identical hides, make sure they are the "rock cave" kind and not the half log kind. BPs prefer the more enclosed ones.

Make sure you also (if you haven't already) pick up at least one digital thermometer with a probe so you can measure the hot side temp and set it with your thermostat or rheostat.

As for the constant cruising, it is normal for a new snake. They are in a new environment and are just checking it out. Try to not handle him for a week. After a week is up you can offer him a meal. Then wait two days for him to digest and then you can start holding him on a regular basis. I know its hard. Trust me its like the longest week of your life but it is best for the snake :)