New baby ball python

I tried Astroturf, and I think that it's the "ultimate" substrate. I keep two pieces per cage, and when one is soiled, I soak it in a 5% bleach solution for a day or overnight. I replace it with the second piece while this is done, then just airdry the first piece so it's ready for the next changeout. Here's a pic of Goblin's 30-gallon tank cage. I use plexiglass with a few drilled airholes, weighted down with rocks and clear duct tape, as a lid and it holds humidity in like a charm. The log hide sitting outside the tank is the hide that's usually placed on the right side where you can see Gobby; I removed it so I could feed him.
Astroturf rocks! It gives you something nice to look at besides newspaper, and it is safe to feed on, and it is cheap at your local home improvement store! I highly recommend it.


https://ball-pythons.net/modules/cop...10328/cage.JPG

I should mention, I bought the beige/brown Astro instead of the green, which was too garish in my opinion. And it needs to be weighted down with rocks if you have a BP who likes to go under things, since that could bring them too close to the heatsource below the tank. :)

As long as you are willing and able to make the extra effort, I'd think the tiles would be fine, but I'd make doubly sure that you have good, snug, secure hides with a little heft to them since the bp has no chance of hiding under the substrate.

I just have question don't the tiles get slippery? I see they are bathroom tiles so maybe they have texture so they aren't slippery but just wondering. :D

Hi Tiffany! Welcome to our forums!

I'm late jumping into this discussion and everyone has pretty much said everything, but I'll add my two cents anyhow. :)

For soaking, room temperature water, or just barely barely warmer, should be fine. If your humidity levels are correct, you may never need to make a separate "bath" for him to soak in...especially if you have a large enough water bowl for him to soak anytime he wishes. Wait to see how that first shed goes before you start adding more variables such as baths and humid hides and extra mistings.

As for substrate, I don't see any reason why the tiles shouldn't work. It wouldn't be my first choice, but since you're already working with them and know what's involved, and know to keep them dry...I don't see any reason why you shouldn't try them. I would be very interested in hearing updates on how they work for you and your little guy!

I think Marla already mentioned making sure to have really snug hides. They like to cram themselves into very tight quarters and feel most secure if they can feel their hides touching on all sides. And be sure to have at least two...one on the cool side and one on the warm side of the enclosure.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet, and that comes to mind when I think of smooth tiles as a substrate...is having SOMEthing in the cage that is rough and heavy enough for the snake to rub up against during shed. A rock, a climbing branch, a log-type or rock-type hide...just so long as their is something in the cage that is rough enough and sturdy enough to help him shed.

Can't wait to see pictures of the little guy! Keep us updated on how he's progressing. This is the first I've heard of someone selling a baby bp before their first shed, so I'm extra interested in how he gets along! :D

They sold all 6 before their shed. He is doing really good and seems ok, not balling up or acting scared, just curious. He hides in the corner behind his water bowl, I also have a half log in there for a rough spot. I did mention the possibility of using moss in the humid hide for something rough, but I am going to see how his shed goes before I add another hide. Since the half log is so big, I turned it on it's edge, so it forms a smaller space and later when he is bigger I can turn it back. I am currently leaving him alone until he sheds though.
I do have a question though. Since I have a solid top, I attached a porcelain fixture to it and added a 25 watt bulb to it. I was told that it didn't matter whether I used a daylight or nightlight, and they only had daylight, I am going to have them switch it for a night light when they get some in, I don't like leaving daylights on all day. Anyway my question is this, the lightbulb hangs down in the tank, and I am worried about him touching it, do they go after lightbulbs? I am thinking about custom building a lid, I am considering putting a screen lid on top of the tank and then making a solid box top to go over that...the final lid would still be solid top, just raised higher and a screen in between the bulb and the snake. Is this better than the bare bulb?

You definitely don't want any sort of bare bulb exposed inside the cage. They will find a way to climb on it and burn themselves for sure. Have you tried a heating pad under the tank for warmth? An inexpensive human heating pad (make sure it doesn't have an auto-shut-off) works well for most people. Then you may not have to mess with bulbs at all. If you do have to use a bulb, then get the screen lid right away to set it up on. Better to have a screen there, than a bare bulb...even if you have to work harder at the humidity levels.

As for the hides...I would highly recommend a small cave-like hide. You can buy cool looking ones at the pet store but those are usually expensive. They can be made just as easily from all sorts of inexpensive materials. A favorite is to take the bottom piece of a clay flower pot...the little "plate" that the pot sits in. Turn it upside down and cut out a little entry way and you have a perfect little hide. Do two of them so that you can have matching hides at the warm side and cool side of the tank. A bp will often sacrifice proper thermo-regulation for the sake of feeling secure in a favorite hide.

I sense that you don't want to disturb him any more than necessary right now...and completely understand. But I do think more proper hides will help him feel better.

He actually lays under the lamp in the open. I am going to make the new lid tomorrow. I figure if I add a few inches of melamine it will sit high enough that I can add a screen lid.