Ball Python Questions

Would you guys be able to post pictures of your tanks so I could get an idea of what I should do.

-Ifland

:) Check your private messages. I sent you pictures of some of my tanks as well as a checklist of sorts for setting up tanks well for BPs.

Good luck getting everything going properly!

I just noticed that she also does have a small case of scale rot on the under side of her body and was reading about some methods of getting rid of it. I was wondering if I was able to bathe her in a water and tea tree oil mixture and then rub neosporin on the infected area like the guide said to do. If the tea tree oil is bad is there any other type of substitute? They mentioned some sort of liquid that is used to clean poultry and meat and such.

Argentra, can you sent me pics of your set up as well?? thanks

WELCOME!!!!

As a new BP owner myself (I got mine about 1 1/2 months ago), I very quickly learned that the people here aer extremely friendly and knowledgeable as well. They will be quick to point out a mistake, but as long as you realize they are trying to help, you will be ok.

You didn't say how big your snake is... Just an FYI, as someone said earlier, BP's like security. A good measurement is the snake should not be longer than the length plus the width of the tank. You should get a screen lid ASAP, as I can almost guarantee you your snake will find a way out fast.

I started handling mine about 2 days after bringing her home. She has been ok the entire time.

There is an EXTREMELY good how to somewhere in this section on the setting up of a tank, I would suggest you read it and possibly use it to guide you on your set-up. Every snake is different, so use your snake's behavior as your guide.

I now have my baby in a 20L tank, and here is how I set it up:

I started off by painting some cardboard black, and taping it to the sidea nad back of the tank to create a more secure feel.

I used a medium sized under tank heater on the warm side, and a small sized one for the cool side.

I have an ACU-RITE temperature/humidity monitor device on each side of the tank. (I did this so I could better monitor the temps and humidity.)

I used 4 layers of aluminum foil (shiny side facing substrate), taped in place on the inside of the screen lid with black duct tape. I then cut a square hole slightly larger than my heat lamp in the foil layer in order to allow for heat and air. I use the heat lamp in addition to the under tank heaters because my house is kept at 68* all of the time.

I put the water dish (a simple 1/2" deep dish from the pet store) on top of the substrate on the warm side to help with humidity.

I use coconut bark substrate, mixed with sphagnum moss, about 1 1/2 - 2 inches deep. This helps hold humidity extremely well, when misted 2-3 times a day.

I have 2 hollowed out coconut shells with openings cut into them as hides, 1 on the cool side, and 1 on the warm side.

I bought some cheap plastic vines from the craft section, and used them and a pair of logs to help "decorate" the tank. To help hang the vines, I used the plastic suction cup hangers found in the Christmas decoration section.

All in all, my enclosure is pleasing to look at (it is in my living room), while maintaining an extremely secure environment for my snake to live.

If you have any questions, please let me know. I will do my best to answer them and help you out. I will also try to post pictures of my tank later tonight.