First ball python! Could use some guidance.

Oh, I have another question. She has been eating live all of her life according to the previous owner. I would rather try to convert her to frozen/thawed, but for right now should I just stick with live which is what she's used to? Or could I go ahead and try a switch? She is due for a feeding as they told me she hasn't eaten in two weeks. That's why they had given her the rat she threw up. :(

Did the previous owner say if they tried frozen before and it was refused?

If so, I would wait and get a few meals in it.

If not, you could certainly try and see what happens. I personally have had really good luck switching snakes to frozen. Just thaw thoroughly and serve hot.

After reading over this thread, my recommendation is to let her settle in before trying to feed. Let her hide for a week or two. It's hard to be patient but its important for the health of your snake. After that, there's no harm in offering a frozen thawed. One other thing, it may be hard for you to notice mites with the cypress so inspect her closely when you do hold her. =)

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Originally Posted by KMG

Did the previous owner say if they tried frozen before and it was refused?

If so, I would wait and get a few meals in it.

If not, you could certainly try and see what happens. I personally have had really good luck switching snakes to frozen. Just thaw thoroughly and serve hot.

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Thanks! No, they didn't say that they ever tried it. I'll give it a try then!

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Originally Posted by Emeraldtail

After reading over this thread, my recommendation is to let her settle in before trying to feed. Let her hide for a week or two. It's hard to be patient but its important for the health of your snake. After that, there's no harm in offering a frozen thawed. One other thing, it may be hard for you to notice mites with the cypress so inspect her closely when you do hold her. =)

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But she hasn't eaten in over two weeks? Isn't that going to stress her to not eat and be hungry? And will do with watching out for the mites! :)

She was out wandering the entire enclosure last night for a while. I'm thinking she's starting to feel more comfortable all ready. :)

It's a good sign that she started to eat the rat, even with all the disturbances (and not surprising at all that she chose not to finish it). Just offer her whatever you have access to this weekend (live or F/T). A small rat should be plenty (50-80g). "Large" rats are way more than a BP needs, and would explain why she wouldn't eat for weeks at a time for the previous owner.

Ok, thank you! :) I thought that large rat looked way too big for her. She seemed to be having a bit of trouble with it. I'll get her a small rat this weekend!

Another question. I got a temporary hydrometer from Petco but I am really looking to get a better one (as I've heard these are really inaccurate). What do you recommend I get? I was thinking acurite after hearing so much about them on here, but then I saw they can also be inaccurate? I have no idea what to get?

Herpstats are recommended and trusted by everyone I've spoken to. They're expensive but worth it. I have a Herpstat 1 coming in tomorrow / Wednesday. Check out spyderrobotics.com.

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Originally Posted by TheBallPython

Another question. I got a temporary hydrometer from Petco but I am really looking to get a better one (as I've heard these are really inaccurate). What do you recommend I get? I was thinking acurite after hearing so much about them on here, but then I saw they can also be inaccurate? I have no idea what to get?

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I have a couple of Accurites and they've been pure garbage. I always hear people rave about them, but mine show a 30-40% difference in humidity between the two, and the temps are always 10+ degrees off...at least. I don't know if I got bum ones, or they were damaged somehow, or what...:confusd:

A good Infrared Temp gun is invaluable. I can check every tub in all three racks in about a minute and I can rely on the readings. Lowe's/Home Depot usually have them fairly cheap.

As far as measuring humidity, I gave up on the Accurites and just wing it. Being on the east coast, humidity isn't really an issue so I'm lucky there.

Best 20 bucks you can spend http://www.lowes.com/pd_73790-56005-IRT207_0

Temp guns are invaluable. The problem is finding something to measure humidity. The problem I had with accurite is when I spray the case during shed the humidity goes up as high as 85 just street I spray. The accurite's don't last in the humidity. The screen sips working right. They are crap. I'm still trying to find something to properly measure humidity in my racks. As of now, I rely on the room humidity and adjust accordingly.

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