please help rookie owner

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Originally Posted by TwoPennies™

I felt the hot side and its been on all night and it isn't very hot he is chilling in the light right now I just have a daylight bulb he seemed skittle more calm today he's had his head out of his hide morning but sucks his head in if we step towards the cage

sorry for typos I'm using smart phone

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The hot side not "feeling very hot" doesn't mean it's not hot enough to burn your snake. I'd run out to get a lamp dimmer NOW ($9 at Home Depot) and put your UTH on that until you save up to get a good thermostat.

You could black out 3 sides of your tank with black construction paper to make him feel more secure too: or I just put a towel over my corn's cage when he's in shed to give him some privacy (he's my only snake in a tank, everyone else are in tubs).

Lol, no offense but you need some punctuation in your posts. If you have a smart phone it shouldn't be very hard. They are called smart phones for a reason!

It's hard to help when you have to fumble through a mush of words just to find out what is going on.

I understand being tight on money, but there are some pieces of equipment you absolutely need for the safety of your animal. Unless you want a burned or cooked snake on your hands I suggest you gather your pennies and get a few basic pieces of equipment.

1. A rheostat. You can get one from the home depot for about $10 http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...41&R=202051141
This will help you control the temps of your heating pad. It will require daily adjustments though.

2. A good digital thermometer. You can also get one of these from the home depot. Many of us here use an Accurite weather station for stand alone setups. The most basic unit has a probed thermometer (for outdoor temp) and a thermometer and hygrometer at the unit (indoor temp and humidity). These guys usually run about $11


As far as his behavior goes you have to understand what it must be like for this little one. You are a giant predator and for all the tiny snake knows, you are going to eat him. Leave him alone. Don't handle him at all for at least a week. Then you can start short handling sessions, 10 minutes every few days. You have to be patient. Don't be bothered if he does strike or bite you, it doesn't mean he will always be like that and honestly, getting bit by a baby ball python is no big deal. It doesn't hurt at all, it's just surprising.

I hope this helps. :) and :welcome: !

Okay so today I checked my ball and found a more running across his head I gave him a Luke warm bath and am going to clean his cage but I heard mites can be very resilient I am very worried about my little guy today I also noticed he looks a little kg and his eyes are a creamy white color can this be a bad sign? I've had problems with the pet store before with my first ball who had literally thousands of mites on him I thought I got rid of then all I don't want to take home back but I don't have money for a vet if he is sick either is his eyes a bad sign

His eye color could be normal if he is going into shed, if you can post a pic of her eyes and id try to get repti-aid Mite Off you can get it at your local pet store, make sure his cage is EXTREMELY Humid, this may help him. :) Don't worry im sure he'll be fine

I'd actually pick up a can of Prevent a Mite (PAM) over Mite-Off. You can order a can here: http://www.pro-products.com/index.ph...d=53&Itemid=59

Don't spray it directly on the snake - you mist the cage and substrate with it then after that air drys you put the snake back in. There's directions on the can.

Okay so I bought some PAM it should be here soon also I am leaving for the weekend should I turn off lamp or uth or leave them both on

Okay so I bought some PAM it should be here soon also I am leaving for the weekend should I turn off lamp or uth or leave them both on

I would leave the lamp on but turn the (still unregulated?) UTH off. Don't feed your snake before you leave and he should be fine. Make sure the water bowl is full :)

Okay thank you guys I should be getting a digital thermometer this week end I think I'm just going to ditch the uth I don't want my little one getting burned

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Originally Posted by TwoPennies™

Okay thank you guys I should be getting a digital thermometer this week end I think I'm just going to ditch the uth I don't want my little one getting burned

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I wouldn't throw it away all together, once you have the money for a thermostat it could be very useful!