About the shedding process

i wouldn't listen to any advice pet shops give you most of them don't care and just want to make money, unlike local breeders, or specific reptile shops with people who like reptiles.

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Originally Posted by BallJohnny

Sadly i didnt find this site before i got my bp so i have a 75 gallon tank for him. Once i have some extra money plan to get a nice little rack system and what not.

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I'm just quoting this as a reminder for people to be reasonable before they jump down your throat about husbandry.

How big is the snake? You could probably get a 20g off craigslist for 20 bucks and will have a much easier time getting temps and humidity proper. More directly, you could probably sell a 75g tank for enough money to buy a PVC cage that's meant for snakes. There's my throat jump.


For humidity for now, I would say you should switch to either straight eco earth or some kind of humidity holding wood substrate like aspen. I would not 'wet' the substrate, but rather try to mist gently once a day if you find the humidity to be outside of a 40 - 60% range. Don't ever let the ground of the enclosure be wet to the touch.

When ball pythons become really active, they're usually stressed. The combination stress of the shed and environment being off has probably lead to the behavior. Good luck.

Ah true true sadly havent had the chance to weigh him, but hes about 2 1/2 feet long, he's also 2 and half years old. Trust me im trying to fix the things i got out of the petshop i got him eating better they fed his 1 adult mouse every 2 weeks. I got him on 3 adult mice every week, tried a rat he just ignored it.

Its often hard to help on this site since none of us are there to see it. I thought my 40 gallon was big. They made some money off you. If you put allot of fake plants and cover in the tank it will help make you BP feel safe and secure and make it less stressed. You can give it several hides too.

For the substrate I would let it dry out. I like Forest Floor shavings for my BP. But for my hognose I like the Eco-Earth b/c she burrows. But I don't keep the Eco-Earth wet after it dries out. You could be asking for mold to grow.

IMO you should stir it often to prevent mold and help it dry, then just leave it dry. Misting the tank should keep your humidity up, but like stated above during a shed it should be higher. Another good way to aid the humidity is to mist the cover and plants in the tank. Your BP will often times drink the water beads on the leaves.

Do you know your humidity? What are you using to measure it, digital/analog?

Yep im keeping track of my humidty its at 55-60 percent, I'll stop wetting it but if this helps i do change it out every 4 weeks and put new stuff in. Ya i got milked alittle bit but i do love me snake so some good did come out of it. I plan to get a small rack system and i do have alot of fake stuff in there so not nearly as open as it sounds. Trust me once i have some extra money going to change alot around.

I like the naturalistic tank. My tank is alittle large for my snake too. Since your snake is older it may do just fine in the tank. Just make sure it is offered plenty of cover. I can't post pics from my tablet but I have my tank on my profile gallery.

Changing the substrate in that big tank every four weeks is going to add up. You should be able to go a few months with good spot cleaning. Eco-Earth will help absorb and break down waste so just scoop out the waste and you should be good.

Ah thats good to hear and trust me the changing it out was starting to suck lol, cleaning a 75 gallon tank is tricky without help. Also one thing i should mention i have an over the top heat lamp. Yes i know should do the under the tank heat method but waiting to switch over rack system.

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Originally Posted by BallJohnny

Ah thats good to hear and trust me the changing it out was starting to suck lol, cleaning a 75 gallon tank is tricky without help. Also one thing i should mention i have an over the top heat lamp. Yes i know should do the under the tank heat method but waiting to switch over rack system.

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Whatever works, works! I keep my house under 70° so I actually have a UTH, 75w ceramic heater for the hot spot and a day/nite double lamp with 60w bulbs to keep the rest of my 40 gallon at the right temp. I do use light stands so the fixtures are not sitting on the screen.

75 gallon is very large for a ball python. it's not the width or length, but the height that's more of the problem. he's eating for you that's good. I would just junk it up. lots of plants so the height isn't as much of an issue. The over head heater is bad as this is a humidity killer. maybe place a large water bowl on the side that the light is on. since you have the room maybe more than one water bowl to help raise the humidity, plus spraying with water. you don't need a rack system unless you want more than one snake. I don't recommend a 75 gallon tank. but you could make it work if junk up, and you get stable temps and humidity.

Funny thing is i do want to get a few more lol. So thats why im looking into a rack system