Help! New owner!! How to heat tank

Pet stores are notorious for not doing things right. We think the employees must know what they're doing since they work at, go figure, a pet store! But sadly, many many employees really don't know what's right or wrong for our snakes.

Don't be sorry for not knowing you weren't ready - we all have to start somewhere! The important thing is that you're here now and willing to learn! :gj:

You've been given great advice so far so I won't repeat what's been said, but I do want to be clear on one thing - ANY heat source MUST be regulated! That includes lamps. I am glad you have a herpstat on the way - those are excellent. But unless you have one that will regulate dual zones (or more), you will need to use a dimmer at the very least with your lamps. If you're herpstat will do dual zones, then you're all set - simply plug in the UTH in one zone and the lamps in the other.

Also, you need 2 hides, not just one. Your baby isn't using the one he has right now because he's stressed. But BPs are shy animals, so he will use it eventually. BPs are so shy that they will sometimes choose security over temperature so use 2 identical hides - one on the cool side and one on the warm side.

You mentioned that he's just eaten. Word of warning, do NOT hold your baby for about 48 hours after he's eaten. They need the time to digest. Also, you should give your new baby at least a week to relax before you hold him. He needs the time to settle in.

Tanks are fine. They do not hold humidity as well as tubs, but there's nothing wrong with a tank. You'll have to take certain steps to help with the humidity though. There is a good sticky in the husbandry forum (might be the "advanced husbandry" forum) that explains how to cover the screen lid with foil. I use wax paper with a 1/2 inch gap along the back. You'll have to mist periodically, particularly when your BP goes in shed. I mist once a week and every day during shed.

Any other questions, ask away! We are here to help! ;)

what i do for my ball python is keep a towel over the cage it helps keep the heat in and some humidity but still lets it breathe just dont cover the whole thing I hope this helps

what i do for my ball python is keep a towel over the cage it helps keep the heat in and some humidity but still lets it breathe just dont cover the whole thing I hope this helps

I wouldn't worry about tank size as much as the three H's: Heat, humidity, hides. If you have a bigger tank, provide extra hiding places. I keep my cool and hot sides as similar as possible: each has an identical hide, a piece of driftwood, and a fake plant. My girl will spent most of her time in the two hides, but she can and does wedge herself under or behind the driftwood on occasion, and under plant leaves too. You just don't want big open spaces in your viv, if your snake feels totally exposed traveling from cool side to warm side, they may not move and be unable to regulate. My cold and hot side are "connected" if that makes sense, the snake has plenty to hide behind in-between them. I think that is more important than over all enclosure size. Your baby will grow into a 20 gallon sooner than you think, probably even OUTgrow after a year or so.

As long as the temps and humidity are right, and as long as your snake has a MINIMUM of two hiding places, you are on the right track. :)

Glad you joined the club! Snakes make wonderful pets once you get things figured out. There is no one on this forum who knows everything, we are all here to learn from each other and to talk about what has worked for us and what hasn't. We're all glad to help. :)