New to Ball Pythons

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Originally Posted by Johnny Hive X

I also read elsewhere that astro-turf works as a decent substrate. Has anyone tried this?

I really would like to feed it live food - it just looks so much cooler, but I definitely don't want my snake being hurt.

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Astro turf sucks! hard to clean.

Its cool, untill you get attached to the rodent, or it gets hit in the wrong spot and shreaks and screams and carrys on, and your gf starts crying.... It is much more apealing to your gf to feed f/t.

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Originally Posted by stangs13

Astro turf sucks! hard to clean.

Its cool, untill you get attached to the rodent, or it gets hit in the wrong spot and shreaks and screams and carrys on, and your gf starts crying.... It is much more apealing to your gf to feed f/t.

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I'll keep researching substrates then. I'm still just really not liking the idea of newspaper or other paper. I dunno - just seems weird to me.

I've seen a couple videos of live feedings and it is hard to watch some. I'll see how it goes and how I like it and everything.

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Originally Posted by Johnny Hive X

I'll keep researching substrates then. I'm still just really not liking the idea of newspaper or other paper. I dunno - just seems weird to me.

I've seen a couple videos of live feedings and it is hard to watch some. I'll see how it goes and how I like it and everything.

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Then why ask for suggestions? Just sayin.

I don't think any of us really "like" watching another creature die to feed our animals, but it comes with the territory. Regardless of whether you're feeding live or frozen, nature has taken it's course and one way or another that prey item died to provide nourishment to your snake. That's something you have to come to terms with.

Lots of people use aspen substrate. I've tried this but I can never get it all clean! I do keep a pile of it in one part of the cage for my boas though...
Also, with the type of substrate you're talking about, I would think that the snake is going to have to burrow down all the time just to get the heat; maybe I'm wrong, but if you use UTH then it makes logical sense :weirdface
I use the cages at http://www.reptilebasics.com They are the bomb diggity!!! Just more info for you ;)
I'm also digging the radiant heat panels that they sell. Heat from above that won't burn the snake and yet warms like the sun and substrate is not a problem. Very nifty little invention!
Also, remember a thermostat!!

I use newspaper, and add under the hides some aspen snake bedding ( http://www.petco.com/product/14364/Z...e-Bedding.aspx )
it does help with the cleaning up process. The sides & back of the enclosure needs to be dark, unless you are using a tub.

you need UTH, both sides, with a thermostat. Need to have a temp gauge to see the temps & humidity.

Freshwater in a shallow dish.. you don't really need any plants or extra things in the enclosure. 2 identical hides.

I started out feeding my BP live mice, but after 2 months, as the prey was getting larger, I ended up getting frozen. You just let sit out (room temp) then give to my BP. He knows from alive & already passed on. He doesn't strike it, he studies it for a second or two & then goes to town. He is on small rats. I feed him every 6-7 days.

also be sure that you can afford & take care of a BP... as in a vet if needed.

:snake:

I use aspen and 2 identical half log smaller sized hides for Furio because he's still a little squirt. I stuff the logs loosely with moss though which he absolutely loves burrowing in and making a nest. Everyone has given you really good suggestions so far. It's to the individual keeper as to what they use and if they want to make it work. As a tank user, get ready to battle humidity issues (The moss works great with wet towels over the screen of the tank)

Good luck! :):gj:

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Originally Posted by darkangel

Then why ask for suggestions? Just sayin.

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To see if there is something out there other than what I'm wanting?? :weirdface

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I don't think any of us really "like" watching another creature die to feed our animals, but it comes with the territory. Regardless of whether you're feeding live or frozen, nature has taken it's course and one way or another that prey item died to provide nourishment to your snake. That's something you have to come to terms with.

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Well I'm going to see how it goes. I'm not losing sleep over what has to die for a Ball Python to live.

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Originally Posted by starmom

Lots of people use aspen substrate. I've tried this but I can never get it all clean! I do keep a pile of it in one part of the cage for my boas though...
Also, with the type of substrate you're talking about, I would think that the snake is going to have to burrow down all the time just to get the heat; maybe I'm wrong, but if you use UTH then it makes logical sense :weirdface
I use the cages at http://www.reptilebasics.com They are the bomb diggity!!! Just more info for you ;)
I'm also digging the radiant heat panels that they sell. Heat from above that won't burn the snake and yet warms like the sun and substrate is not a problem. Very nifty little invention!
Also, remember a thermostat!!

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I'll check out that link. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by V1L3 DiaL3cT

I use aspen and 2 identical half log smaller sized hides for Furio because he's still a little squirt. I stuff the logs loosely with moss though which he absolutely loves burrowing in and making a nest. Everyone has given you really good suggestions so far. It's to the individual keeper as to what they use and if they want to make it work. As a tank user, get ready to battle humidity issues (The moss works great with wet towels over the screen of the tank)

Good luck! :):gj:

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I'm ready to take it on. I've been reading about what humidity it should be.

Im hopping in now, before reaching the end of the thread...

Starmom, papers now use soy ink, so it's not toxic.

Bark is hard to clean and the paper is nice, but I prefer decorative. I use aspen. And sometimes the aspen mixed w/the coconut husk bedding. Easy to see the poo and the urates. You just need to clean a little bit bigger area than just the urates to get all the moisture. Astro-turf would be difficult to keep sanitary. I started with reptile carpet w/my first snake, and even though I washed it regularly, there was no guarantee that it was clean or sanitary.

Log hides won't provide enough cover/security for your little guy. The hides need to be identical and close/snug fitting for him to feel safe.

Moving around a lot from home to feeding tub to home again will often stress out the baby. Even bigger snakes can stop feeding b/c of the moving around about being "taken" out of hunt mode. They're ambush hunters.

If you feed FT, thawing at room temp is good, but then warm it up with a hair dryer or hot water, being bagged. Feeding cold food to your snake can cause digestive problems, or reluctance to grab it, if it's not warm enough.

82-84* cool side, 92-94* hot, thermostats on your UTH/lamps. If a tank & screen, cover all but a couple small areas < for ventilation > with tinfoil, plastic wrap or glass, to help trap in the humidity, and then you don't have to worry about bacteria growth in a moist towel. I tried paper towels for a while on top, but they were more hassle than they were worth.

Having your tank / tub all set up and stabilized is very good planning! Good for you, reading up and learning, BEFORE you get your new pet. :gj:

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Originally Posted by sweety314

Im hopping in now, before reaching the end of the thread...
Starmom, papers now use soy ink, so it's not toxic...

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By a large margin newspapers do not use soy ink!!

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Originally Posted by sweety314

Im hopping in now, before reaching the end of the thread...

Starmom, papers now use soy ink, so it's not toxic.

Bark is hard to clean and the paper is nice, but I prefer decorative. I use aspen. And sometimes the aspen mixed w/the coconut husk bedding. Easy to see the poo and the urates. You just need to clean a little bit bigger area than just the urates to get all the moisture. Astro-turf would be difficult to keep sanitary. I started with reptile carpet w/my first snake, and even though I washed it regularly, there was no guarantee that it was clean or sanitary.

Log hides won't provide enough cover/security for your little guy. The hides need to be identical and close/snug fitting for him to feel safe.

Moving around a lot from home to feeding tub to home again will often stress out the baby. Even bigger snakes can stop feeding b/c of the moving around about being "taken" out of hunt mode. They're ambush hunters.

If you feed FT, thawing at room temp is good, but then warm it up with a hair dryer or hot water, being bagged. Feeding cold food to your snake can cause digestive problems, or reluctance to grab it, if it's not warm enough.

82-84* cool side, 92-94* hot, thermostats on your UTH/lamps. If a tank & screen, cover all but a couple small areas < for ventilation > with tinfoil, plastic wrap or glass, to help trap in the humidity, and then you don't have to worry about bacteria growth in a moist towel. I tried paper towels for a while on top, but they were more hassle than they were worth.

Having your tank / tub all set up and stabilized is very good planning! Good for you, reading up and learning, BEFORE you get your new pet. :gj:

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I'll give the Aspen a try then! Thanks for the recommendation. Is it true that the thickness should be no higher than to the first joint of you index finger?

I'm going to get two identical hides off of the website provided earlier. They are a standard black and are inexpensive. Do you keep one of the hides at the warm end of the tank and one of them at the cooler end of the tank?

I'm going to feed the snake in it's home tank. I'm not going to transfer back and forth. I plan on handling it as much as possible (reasonably) so it shouldn't confuse me for food.

I plan on insulating the tank with probably cork board and foil tape on the sides and then foil and duct tape on the lid.


Does anyone have recommendations on how to secure the lid? I want to keep it as closed to locked as possible. I've seen a terrarium that has a slide in place lid and two holes align to fit a lock or nail through. Is there another method of securing a lid other than that or just putting a weight on it?