new BP owner with questions

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Originally Posted by jimmysmom

Thank ya'll so much. What type or wattage of uth and thermostat would be best? Where would be the best place to place it in his home? Is there a bedding other than the aspen shavings that are better and that he would prefer? BP's have a long lifespan and I want him to be happy and healthy as possible. As for handling him, I have long acrylic nails, they are not sharp but I worry about them tickling him as I go to scoop him up. AS for feeding I put him in a separate container when I feed him and then leave him for about 30 minutes after he has ate. Is the an okay practice? Will I still need a heat lamp with an uth , my home stays pretty cool, and which is better for night, the red or purple lights?

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UTH on a thermostat for belly heat, set so the surface temperature of the glass (not the substrate) measures 90*F using a temperature gun or infrared thermometer.
CHE or light for ambient temperature in the tank in the upper 70's to 80*F.
Except for an opening for the heat lamp or CHE, cover the tank to retain heat and humidity in it.
Don't move your snake for feeding.

Are the fuzzies mice or rats ? Mice fuzzies are too small for any BP. As stated in another reply, prey size should be about the same girth as the snake. Once every 5-7 days is enough.

So this morning jimmy is back at it. He is not standing up, but is all over the place. He's pretty restless, he is drinking water and flicking his tongue. Could he be hungry seeing as how I have only given him mice pinkies. I live in a town with only one little place that has feeder mice and rats and they do not have rat fuzzies. I move him because , well petsmart says that's the best thing to do. I have looked online and can not find a place to buy a thermostat, all I come across is articles about them. I do keep the top of the mesh topper covered except where the light is. Thank ya'll so much. Jimmy's gonna be aa lot happier and healthier now that I have found this site.

I highly recommend any herpstat by spider robotics. Ve thermostat are good quality as well.

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Petsmart....... Not the smartest people most of the time.
Thermostats, check with Reptile Basics.
Pinky mice are way too small for any ball python.

I agree about petsmart not being the smartest. It is the only place to buy products in my area. I checked out reptile basics and will be ordering a thermostat from there but, I will get my uth at petsmart. Is there a certain wattage that I need, I see they sell different wattages also, where is the best place to put it ? He has been out and active all day so far. I was under the assumption that BP were not very active during the day . Could he have his days and nights mixed up? Also, what type of night light would be best? I currently have a 60 w purple bulb. I keep the the mesh lid covered with the exception of where the light is and about 2 inches on the cool side for airflow. I do know that I need to raise my humidity, what is the best and safest way to do that and maintain it? I see that I have not bee feeding him large enough food. I have feed him 2 small ones each feeding. I worry about him being hungry and that making him a tad upset. I know I get iffy when I am hungry. Is there any signs to watch for to know he is hungry? I do feel that he is under weight for his length, but I am just learning . I try to handle him at least once a day for a few moments at a time to get him used to being held. Any advice and suggestions on hat I should do to will be fully noted and used. Thanks guys

Since I am using a tub and not a tank, I can't really tell you where to place your uth. The UTH I use is the Zoomed brand and hasn't failed me when it comes to getting a 90℉ hot spot. As for him moving around I believe he could be one of two things.

He could be:
1. Just a very active and curious bp
2. Stressed.

I suggest making sure your husbandry is spot on and see if that will change his behavior. Someone else mentioned two hides with a single opening in the front to maybe make him feel more comfortable. My bp had this behavior for awhile too until I got him a different kind of hide. The hides I got were from www.professionalreptiles.com at a reptile show but you can find similar ones on reptile basics and eBay. Or you could make your own and such.

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Originally Posted by jimmysmom

... they do not have rat fuzzies.

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hopper/small mice?

I got uth and a thermostat today. Where do I place it? On the cool end of the tank, in the middle, or on the hot end of the tank?I have raised my humidity to about 55% up from 40. Would the Cyprus mulch be better than the aspen at helping me maintain humidity? I think he may be just an active BP, because he does stay in his hide a lot or under the plants on the hot side. I am pretty sure he is hungry (but being from the south we think everyone and everything is always hungry), but I am holding off till Monday to feed him so that I can at least stick to a schedule.

UTH should go on the hot side. Make sure to tape the probe for the thermostat underneath the glass before attaching the UTH.

I can't say anything on cypress mulch since I don't use it so hopefully someone will chip in on that.

And its good of you to be sticking to a feeding schedule. Can't really say much on where to get live rodents but perhaps look on Facebook and see if there is a small local rodent breeder. Worth a try.

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