Re: Cage neglected python, what to do?
We're all just trying to help as we love these animals....ALOT! Heat rocks are NOT for snakes. No matter what the pet store or previous owners tell you. They simply get way too hot and can cause burns like this:
http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7c871bf2.jpg
This is the reality of unregulated heating sources...Heat rocks especially. All heat sources need to be regulated: UTH mats, radiant heat panels, etc. You do this with a thermostat. The heat source gets plugged into the thermostat, the thermostat gets plugged into the wall, and the thermostat probe gets sandwiched between the UTH mat and the bottom of the enclosure from the outside. You then set the max temp of the thermostat and it will turn off the heat source when it reaches this temp. If it gets too cool, it turns the heat source back on. Never place a heat mat inside a cage. Ball pythons are shy animals and like all cold blooded animals need a gradient of temperatures. Also, belly heat is much more important than heat lamps...though if you have a very cold room, a combination of them may be needed. The warm spot (above the heat mat) should be around 90 degrees. The cool end should be aroung 78-80 +/-.
The heat mat should be placed under the tank on one end and cover approx. 1/3 of the bottom of the tank.The thermostat regulates the heat mat and how warm it will get. Unregulated, these can get over 120 degrees and easily burn your snake....YES, even the ones marketed at the pet stores. Humidity should be kept around 50%-60% when they're not shedding and bumped to 70%+ while in shed (you'll see the eyes turn a cloudy blue, then they clear up, then they shed after days after "going clear"). You can easily keep humidity up with proper substrate (bedding) such as Cypress (NOT from Home Depot), Repti Bark, or even aspen and misting with a water bottle 1x-2x per day. And substrate only needs to be about 1/2". Any more and it can cut off the needed warmth from the heat pad. They also need a minimum of two appropriately sized hides. One over the warm spot and one on the cool end. Ball Pythons feel secure and comfortable wedged in hides. If the enclosure is large, you may put a third in the middle or simply clutter the enclosure up with other fake plants, driftwood, etc.
And a word of warning. Please ask questions here. We are here to help and we have been caring for these wonderful animals for years and years. No question is dumb. We all started somewhere just like you. DO NOT. I'll repeat, DO NOT take the word of pet store employees. Most (not all), but most are simply there to collect a paycheck and only know the mis-information their training videos provide. And, just because items are sold in a pet store, doesn't mean they are right for your snake.
Check out Reptile Basics: www.reptilebasics.com
They have just about everything you'll need and their pricing and service is second to no one!
Re: Cage neglected python, what to do?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rickys_Reptiles
Yeah, its a pretty dull video, lol! I'm not much of an actor. That was Molly, a bumblebee...she's a beauty!
It was very informative and I like having details and an understanding of the why and how of things. I enjoyed the video very much. But you know the old show biz adage never perform with animals or children? Yep, Molly stole the show. There's not much you could have done to upstage her- she was hilarious!
