New ball python owner with many questions!

Alright. :) I kept reading a things with temp guns mentioned and I thought that they were just something bonus but not necessary if having temperature probe but now it seems that for proper safety it's necessary so after work today I'll be adding that into my amazon shopping list.

UPDATE:
The moss is working great! I picked up a box yesterday. I we some and put it in a hide, filled a very small bowl with wet moss, and also sprinkled some around the tank.

I also got an acurite thermometer to measure temp and humidity. My other temp probe didn't tell the humidity and I was using I dial one. I saw a post about those not being accurate so I set the acuright up last night only to find out my humidity has been staying in the fifties with no problem. My dial say 40% so I'm beyond happy to know it's alright. :) :)


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Good deal.

I love having a temp gun. They make keeping so much easier.

Yeah They seem so handy. Just another question I have my acuright by my small container of moss and the probe on the other side of the tank. The humidity reads in the fifties. Would that be accurate or not because of the placement of the acurite


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Welcome Victoria,

Personally, I use plantation soil (Ground coco husk) and it helps me keep my humidity stable.

Here is what I use for all of my wonderful snakes:

Exo terra 36"x 24"x 18" Terrarium
12 Watt UTH pad
100 Watt IR bulb on a Flukers Lamp Dome (Adjustable)
100 Daylight bulb on a Flukers Lamp Dome (Adjustable)
Exo Terra 2.0 Repti Glo natural light UVB bulb (Vitamin D3)

2 Hides, large water dish, decorations as you see fit to make him/her feel right at home.

Snakes generally do need a "cool down" period after going to a forever home. This lets them adjust and learn their new environment. Please remember not to handle on a daily basis as they can stress out even more so. Once every few days is plenty.

Tuna juice sometimes helps a fussy eater take a mouse.

Again, welcome to the forums and I hope this gives you ideas to make your perfect home for your ball python.

- Matt

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Originally Posted by W0ADRA1D3R

Welcome Victoria,

Personally, I use plantation soil (Ground coco husk) and it helps me keep my humidity stable.

Here is what I use for all of my wonderful snakes:

Exo terra 36"x 24"x 18" Terrarium
12 Watt UTH pad
100 Watt IR bulb on a Flukers Lamp Dome (Adjustable)
100 Daylight bulb on a Flukers Lamp Dome (Adjustable)
Exo Terra 2.0 Repti Glo natural light UVB bulb (Vitamin D3)

2 Hides, large water dish, decorations as you see fit to make him/her feel right at home.

Snakes generally do need a "cool down" period after going to a forever home. This lets them adjust and learn their new environment. Please remember not to handle on a daily basis as they can stress out even more so. Once every few days is plenty.

Tuna juice sometimes helps a fussy eater take a mouse.

Again, welcome to the forums and I hope this gives you ideas to make your perfect home for your ball python.

- Matt

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Thank you ! I haven't been touching him at all for the last three days or so. I will admit I did handle him the first two nights just while trying to adjust his tank and because I was stupid but I've let him be now. Picked him up for the first time today for less than a minute because I thought he may be getting ready to shed but I was wrong.

Today is the big day I have planned to attempt to feed him. I'm so anxious about it. I may have to try the tuna juice thing. Do I lightly wet the mouse with the juice?




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Quote:

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Actually if you are going to put the probe on the bottom of the uth you can cover the whole thing in foil tape. You will still need a temp gun to spot check and adjust inside temps.

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If you find a set up that works and use it every time,there is no reason to adjust anything,ever. I use the same watt bulbs all the time, my apt I keep about the same temp ur round. I NEVER have to adjust anything. And if the temps change a few degrees,it's really not a big deal,at all.

i also don't cover my entire UTH in foil tape,it's a waste. I tape mine on the outside. I run on strip running from one side if the mat to the other over leaping the foil holding the matt,no problems,EVER

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grim8899

If you find a set up that works and use it every time,there is no reason to adjust anything,ever. I use the same watt bulbs all the time, my apt I keep about the same temp ur round. I NEVER have to adjust anything. And if the temps change a few degrees,it's really not a big deal,at all.

i also don't cover my entire UTH in foil tape,it's a waste. I tape mine on the outside. I run on strip running from one side if the mat to the other over leaping the foil holding the matt,no problems,EVER

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Im game tonight I guess.
From this post I am taking it that you leave the wax paper on your UTH and never remove it? You do know that paper isn't made to handle heat right? Its only there to cover the glue till you stick it to something. That being said I didn't think I would need to explain this in detail. You remove the wax paper and cover the sticky side of the UTH with foil tape. This is so you can move or reuse it. So again tell me how this is a waste?

Now you use a bulb so I am guessing you don't use a thermostat, then again you are giving suggestions on an UTH so I would hope that you know a thermostat needs to be adjusted till you get the temps you are wanting. So again tell me how you are controlling your temps?

HE ATE !!!! Words cannot describe how happy I am. :) :) :) watching him eat was so amazing, like nothing I've ever seen before.


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Hi Victoria! Just a quick note to say that I almost had a nervous breakdown when I got my Oliver....I was so nervous and worried. You're doing great, and it sounds like you're getting the hang of it. Keep asking questions and know that we are all here to help you and cheer you on! Pamela


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by pbyeerts

Hi Victoria! Just a quick note to say that I almost had a nervous breakdown when I got my Oliver....I was so nervous and worried. You're doing great, and it sounds like you're getting the hang of it. Keep asking questions and know that we are all here to help you and cheer you on! Pamela


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Thank you is nice to know that I'm not the only one to ever be super nervous. Things have definitely improved thanks to the advice I've gotten here.


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