Help Please!!!

Quote:

---

a warm wet towel on the top of the tank

---

just be warned - wet textiles and sponges around the heat your tank will hold can make for ripe fungus/bacterial growth - at least providing a medium. We struck that from the caresheet for that reason.

Not to be further contradicting . . .

Yes there's a ton of info and it does sometimes seem contradictory, even worse when you're new to owning a ball python and probably way stressed out with worry. Just a suggestion but how about taking a few moments, deep breath and write a list to clarify things....prioritize just what your new BP needs immediately and what can wait a bit. If I was in your shoes this would be my list (and again, I'm no expert please remember) just a person that figures you are swamped with info about now

1) temps....read what the experienced people here say....ball pythons have pretty specific needs so that would be my number one concern

2) humidity...same thing...same advice...especially if this ball python might be ready to shed

3) water so the snake can't dehydrate....I don't know about snakes but most every other living thing can go without food for periods of time but won't go long without a consistent source of clean water

4) hides....everything we've read and been told...this is very important to keep your snake stress free...you said "hide box"....so I'm wondering if you kind of have to pull her out of a box of some sort...or do you just lift the hide off her?

5) peace and quiet....if the snake is stressed, ready to shed, etc. it probably feels like utter crapola....I'd hiss too (usually do before I've had my morning coffee)...take the advice given by the folks here about minimal handling and a quiet environment until the snake is eating, shedding and pooping as it should

6) eating....I know it seems funny to leave that till last but with all the advice we been given...and as long as the snake is not losing weight fast...it seems a snake that hasn't got the first 5...just isn't as likely to show a willingness to take food

7) vet visit....as long as the snake isn't obviously sick and hopefully the pet store sold you a reasonably healthy animal this doesn't have to be #1 but I'd sure make it a soon as you can thing

Okay you experienced folks, did this priority list make sense or was I way off base. I really hesitate to post "advice" when I'm totally inexperienced....but I can just imagine how over whelming this is for this new owner and wanted to help "cut to the chase" so to speak.

Btw, I'll have to read back in the thread but is this a captive born snake or not?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by frankykeno

Okay you experienced folks, did this priority list make sense or was I way off base. I really hesitate to post "advice" when I'm totally inexperienced....but I can just imagine how over whelming this is for this new owner and wanted to help "cut to the chase" so to speak.

Btw, I'll have to read back in the thread but is this a captive born snake or not?

---

Excellent list, in my book. :)

It is Captive Born so I was told... Thanks again for all of the help..

Hey, Can I just use the fake leaves at Walmart to put in the tank with my BP or is there a certain kind that I need to use. Where do I a branch to put in the tank for him to crawl on. Can I use one out of my yard?


Do I have to have a UV light? The lady at the pet store told me I had to have one for my BP, so I bought one for $40.00...

If I use the light on top of the cage 24/7 does the bulb have to be red or black. I was told that snakes cant see red, black or purple.

Thanks..

heh. BPs dont need UV light. dont listen to petstores. if you get a branch to crawl on for him outta your yard i would bake it in the oven, others will be able to tell you more. fake vines from walmart would be fine, maybe rinse them down to remove any dust on them if their not packaged. always use bulbs made for reptiles. dont use cheap dollar store black lights. i use red reptile bulbs with no problem, except of course humidity.

Ok, where do I get a red reptile bulb from. Where can I get a branch from, besides in my yard?

you can get a branch from that pet store when you take the UV lamp back :P Any place you get the branch from you should still bake it... you have no idea what you may be bringing home.

It does not specifically have to be a red bulb....walmart carries Reptile Rays bulbs by GE they are a kind of black light...they work pretty good...or check a pet store...or order one online.

LOL, your funny..:P Ok, what temp do I bake the branch at and for how long?


The bulbs at walmart, you said they are black (snakes cant see that right). Will it be alright to leave it on 24/7. It wont stress out the snake?

Yes they are ok to leave on 24/7....just make sure you get the light that is specifically for Reptiles (it will be by all the regular light bulbs at Walmart). When I used lights, those were the lights that I used all the time and everything was fine.

Bake the branch at 300 deg. for an hour or so and you should be good.