New BP Owner - Need Help

Ah sorry for not responding!

No, I currently do not have any thermostats, and since it has been brought up, I have just researched it and realize now that I need one. I had heard that people use them, but wasn't sure if they was necessary, or what they were, but nobody had told me that I needed one.

Now that I know their importance, it might explain my previously healthy garter snake's sudden and mysterious death.

I have a few more questions, if you guys don't mind:

I have two heat sources for him, a light and a mat. The mat was originally a seedling mat, and the lamp has a normal house bulb in it. It gives off some heat though, I imagine. Is a thermostat needed for both of them? Or just the heating mat, since the lamp has a normal bulb?

Do I need two thermostats, or can I plug a power strip into one as long as I don't exceed the maximum wattage?

This might depend on the brand/model, but if I plug them both into a power strip, and I put the probe between the lamp and mat, will it switch them both off when it reaches the ideal temperature between them? And will it switch them both back on when needed?

I'm going to order one from online as soon as I can. It may take from a few days to a week to get here. Is it really the best to switch off his heat sources in the meantime? Is it at least okay to keep his lamp on? It's pretty high up and I'll mention again, a normal house bulb.

Thank you for all the help! I wouldn't want my BP to go the same way my garter did.

You will need seperate thermostats for each heat source

As for switching the heat mat off for now, definitely.

How often is the bulb on? Is it just a regular white bulb?

Usually I leave it on along with my LED tank light until I go to bed, then back on when I wake up, but I could change that if needed. It is a regular incandescent light bulb.

I just read that I could use a dimmer instead of a second thermostat. Is that true?

Also, where's the best place to put the thermometer? Would it be best in the middle of the tank, or at the hot or cold side? If I will have a thermostat on monitoring the hot side, would it be best to put the thermometer at the cold side?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

- As for handling, do yourself AND YOUR SNAKE a favor and let him get settled in before doing any more handling.

You already said you've been handling him quite a bit, but only for enclosure cleanings and to weigh/measure him. You just got him a few days ago, his tank should be clean. You weighed/measured him already. Leave the poor guy alone now.

---

Thank you for the help. Also, I just want to clarify since I probably didn't make sense; I had handled him around three times in total, the first time was the journey between the expo and putting him in his tank, then I realized the next day that the tank was too small for him and moved him to a different tank, then after that I wanted to weigh/measure him so I could buy the right rat size in preparation. I haven't taken him out since everyone on here advised me to wait, so I'm hoping I'm finally doing it right.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 55fingers

Thank you for the help. Also, I just want to clarify since I probably didn't make sense; I had handled him around three times in total, the first time was the journey between the expo and putting him in his tank, then I realized the next day that the tank was too small for him and moved him to a different tank, then after that I wanted to weigh/measure him so I could buy the right rat size in preparation. I haven't taken him out since everyone on here advised me to wait, so I'm hoping I'm finally doing it right.

---

Sounds good!!!

Now, for the bulb...what's your reason for using it? It's probably not serving any purpose for the snake and could be adding unnecasary stress.

Although it is a normal bulb, it is still surrounded by the metal heat lamp, which gathers the heat and gives off a good amount of warmth. It still warms up the hot side of his tank to an extent when it's the only heat source.

Is it unnecessary, though? Will a ball python be okay with just a heat mat?

My thermostat, dimmer, and feeding tongs have either arrived or are about to arrive. I have acquired a freezer and have weaned rats now, deciding That's better for him than mice. I might be getting some fake plants for his enclosure tonight. My question is, can I add this all at once? Would it be okay to move him to a different container while he eats, and leave him to digest while I put the thermostat and all this new stuff in? Or would that overwhelm him? Is it best to feed him in has tank, or in a separate feeding tank? I've heard that stops them from associating the tank opening with food, but if I move him after he eats, isn't there a chance he will regurgitate?

You can get everything set up all at once.

I would wait a few days after adjusting everything to try to feed, but it's really up to you. I personally would wait, it's not going to hurt him. If you offer now he may or may not eat, no biggie.

As for a seperate feeding tub, that is old school and proven counter productive. I have always fed inside their enclosures and have never been bitten or even struck at within the enclosure.
This topic always brings a little debate, but you'll find the vast majority feed inside the enclosure. Using a feeding tub increases the chance of a regurge as well as increases the chance of getting tagged while the snake is in feed mode. Also, it can stress the snake prior to it even eating and cause refusals.

Thank you! I will try to add all the new stuff, then probably wait a few days to feed him so he gets used to it. He comes out at night regularly, but recently I think he's been looking hungry so I was worried about how soon to feed him, but I'm glad to hear it won't hurt to wait a few more days.

Also thank you for the information about whether or not to move him to a feeding tub. I'd heard so many different things about it I didn't know what was the right way.

I'm thinking that I'll try to put a lid down under the rat, as I'm worried about him accidently eating his substrate (eco earth coconut fiber). When I had a garter snake, his worms and fish, being slimy, would get covered in it and he would get it all stuck in his mouth and was visibly uncomfortable. I hope Ralph (my BP) doesn't get hurt by it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 55fingers

Thank you! I will try to add all the new stuff, then probably wait a few days to feed him so he gets used to it. He comes out at night regularly, but recently I think he's been looking hungry so I was worried about how soon to feed him, but I'm glad to hear it won't hurt to wait a few more days.

Also thank you for the information about whether or not to move him to a feeding tub. I'd heard so many different things about it I didn't know what was the right way.

I'm thinking that I'll try to put a lid down under the rat, as I'm worried about him accidently eating his substrate (eco earth coconut fiber). When I had a garter snake, his worms and fish, being slimy, would get covered in it and he would get it all stuck in his mouth and was visibly uncomfortable. I hope Ralph (my BP) doesn't get hurt by it.

---

Sounds Good!

I wouldn't worry too much about him getting a little substrate in his mouth. It happens. But yeah, a lot of people lay a paper plate or something over the substrate prior to feeding. I find they take they prey where they want to take it anyway, so I don't personally put anything down. It certainly won't hurt if you feel better putting it down though.