Hi! i just bought a cb baby ball, i would like to pick your brains

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jeffjr464

another question, i know your not supposed to handle them for the first week or so, so they can get comfortable and such, but i picked up my ball earlier today, it seemed like it was really happy to be in my hands and was really inquisitive lol ,now that i think of it maybe he was loving my body heat. so my question is, the more you handle them the better? i have a little boy and i want the snake to be as accustomed to people and friendly as i can get him to be.

---

You may want to cover the back and sides of that big tank with some sort of backing or just plain black paper. This can help your snake feel less exposed to the world in a larger glass tank.

I think snakes and kids, especially ball pythons, make a wonderful learning experience. Part of that though is teaching your son to respect the snake's very unique needs. Our youngest is 6 years old and he knows after living with snakes for a few years now that the snakes have their own ways and are very different than "normal" pets. I'm not sure how old yours is but the neat thing about having a snake in the house is the great life lessons you can use the snake to teach your child.

Things like counting the days the snake is in "quiet time", having your child participate by using a calendar to mark things like feeding day, handling day, cleaning day, etc. Learning to move quietly and to be very patient with the snake when handling it. Talking about how predators and prey are vital to each other and each fills the role nature gave them (important in our home since we raise the rats that are fed live to the snakes). Learning to judge the snake's mood by it's subtle cues and developing empathy skills.

Three of our four children now have their own "personal" snakes and it's been a joy to watch them learning about such unique and wonderful creatures! The maturity they all show when dealing with each of their snakes as well as helping with the rat colony and snake collection, makes us very proud as parents.

I'm sure this experience will be as equally wonderful for your child and your family as a whole. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jeffjr464

i got the 30 thinking it would be the only tank id need for him and i have the setup in my livingroom, i have to have it looking good or the wife will relegate it to the basement rec room lol

---

i have had my BP since november shes about 25 ins. long and at first we had her in a 20 gal tank and she was fine with it but like 2 months ago i moved her to my boyfriends house where she is now in a 50 gal tank and i watched her carefully for like a month cuase i know that some times tanks can be to big but she seemed to be ok with it...now shes moving around and everything just like normal. so if you do keep him in the tank you have just watch her its probilly not what hes use to. make sure hes eats normally and not acting funny.

i dont know guys corect me if im wrong.

good luck

Stacie

ok setup update, i went out an got a rheostat, uth, 2 small hides, small water dish, digital thermometer with probe and some more plants and some driftwood, i have the plants suctioned to the sides and back of the cage, the temps are 73 on the cool side 90-91 on the hot spot, think thats good?

anything below 75 is bad for your snake.

you need the cool side up in the 80's... like 84-82 would be great.

lol i just realized why i had such a low coolside temp, i had the uth and lamp both on the same side, now i have the lamp on my coolside and the uth on the hot, will post pics soon!!!