Re: Need Help New Ball Python Owner :)
Good idea. Well I hope he doesn't get curious in the mean time.
Re: Need Help New Ball Python Owner :)
I am making sure he gets it tommorow. Hey I have a Flukers Thermo-Hygrometer (Digital Thermometer and Humidity Gauge) how accurate you think these are? Are they any good?
Re: Need Help New Ball Python Owner :)
I think the best way for you to truly understand how dangerous those hot bulbs are is to show you Orlah. She's an adult female we found in a pet store, her dorsal scarring is actually much worse than this picture shows and our herp vet was quite surprised she survived this injury. Since it occurred before we bought her our vet can only surmise, from her experience as a herp vet, that it did occur from direct exposure to those sorts of lights inside an enclosure.
This is what a snake can have to live with, please don't let it happen to yours.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...lahMay2006.jpg
If you cannot immediately remove those then at the very least grab a roll of hardware cloth from the store (only about $5.00) and make light guards. It won't take but a few moments and can save the snake from a very sad, painful and needless injury.
Re: Need Help New Ball Python Owner :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by KingPython
Okay this week I will get him heating pad and remove those light bulbs
Don't forget a quality thermostat to control the UTH (I'm assuming that's what you mean by heating pad) or it could get hot enough to burn him as well.
Re: Need Help New Ball Python Owner :)
Hey KP,
Welcome to the site. :)
I also vote gaurding the bulbs - I have included pics of the gaurds I made for mine using nothing more than a pair of pliers. It wasn't too hard and I'm officially ambi-sinister (cr*p with both hands). I also have a picture of my male showing the scars he was left with from contact with a heat source.
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...ramicgaurd.JPG
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...rtankgaurd.JPG
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...urdfixings.JPG
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...rmansscars.JPG
Hope this helps.
dr del
Re: Need Help New Ball Python Owner :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by KingPython
I noticed it says your location is Netherlands my uncle lives in Amsterdam :) I cant wait to visit him.
Amsterdam is soooo cool!! I go there a lot to shop. But there's more than shopping, i don't think i have to tell you what... :D
Re: Need Help New Ball Python Owner :)
Thank you all for the tips I will defenately try to fix this situation before it goes bad, I keep track of him a lot when he is out on the tree or near the light so far I have not seen him get curious near the light. The only thing that concerns me now is why did that pet store person tell me that its okay to have those lights in there he told me he would never burn him self, those darn liars. As far as those heating pads go how do I set them up and can I control the temperature on them by a switch. Also is there anything on the market that keeps a steady 88 degrees temperature. I worry about the temeparature dropping or raising when I am not at home.
Lol I know exactly what you mean Nordin haha
Re: Need Help New Ball Python Owner :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by KingPython
Thank you all for the tips I will defenately try to fix this situation before it goes bad, I keep track of him a lot when he is out on the tree or near the light so far I have not seen him get curious near the light. The only thing that concerns me now is why did that pet store person tell me that its okay to have those lights in there he told me he would never burn him self, those darn liars. As far as those heating pads go how do I set them up and can I control the temperature on them by a switch. Also is there anything on the market that keeps a steady 88 degrees temperature. I worry about the temeparature dropping or raising when I am not at home.
Lol I know exactly what you mean Nordin haha
Well, the thing that would control your heating pad would be able to make sure it stays a steady temperature in your enclosure. You should have a heat gradient of 80-84 on the "cool" end and 90-94 on the "warm" end. A UTH (Under Tank Heat) pad will help there. What you need to control it is called a thermostat.
There a two different kinds of thermostats. Proportional and On/Off. Proportional are more accurate at keeping temps "perfect", as they increase or decrease the temp to keep the temp exactly where you set it. The On/Off varities are still good, but can be off one or two degrees in either direction.
A few brands reccomended often on BP.net are:
Proportional:
-Herpstat (I personally use one of these)
-Helix
On/Off:
-Ranco
-Johnsons
You will likely have to buy them online, unless you have a VERY well-stocked herp store nearby. A few places I know of off-hand are:
www.reptilebasics.com (he carries Helix, Johnsons and Ranco)
www.spyderrobotics.com (the makers of Herpstat)
www.thebeanfarm.com
Hope that helps!
Re: Need Help New Ball Python Owner :)
Thanks for the input Kim I will defenately have to find another way for now till I can afford one of those Herpstat's I guess now I will just go get 2 heating pads one for hot side and one for kool side and adjust the temperatures so that he's happy. I will buy another temperature reader for the warm side and remove those 2 heat bubls so he doesnt get burned. Ill keep you all informed what happens next lol I never thought it would be this much work :)
Re: Need Help New Ball Python Owner :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by KingPython
Thanks for the input Kim I will defenately have to find another way for now till I can afford one of those Herpstat's I guess now I will just go get 2 heating pads one for hot side and one for kool side and adjust the temperatures so that he's happy. I will buy another temperature reader for the warm side and remove those 2 heat bubls so he doesnt get burned. Ill keep you all informed what happens next lol I never thought it would be this much work :)
Well, here's what I'll say about it. I know that $75-$130 sounds like a lot to spend...but over the course of your BP's life, it equates to very little money for peace of mind.
On 2 heat pads from a pet store, you're probably going to be spending $35-45, depending on the size of the heat pads (since you're talking about 2).
What I would do is this, go to www.reptilebasics.com and buy 1ft of 11" Flexwatt heat tape (does the same job as a heat pad does) and a pre-wired Johnsons or Ranco thermostat. This will come out to $83 plus shipping. The flexwatt is really inexpensive, and in my opinon, it's worth it to have a good heat source AND a good way to control it. Spending the money now will be so much more worth it for you and your little one in the long run.
I understand money constraints, but a thermostat is definitely something worth saving for and purchasing. :)