First ball python!!

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Originally Posted by gameonpython

Honestly what I'm doing is working perfectly. Heat pad with a few layers of insulating paper towel on top and it makes for a perfect temp!


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just to throw this out there. it will go underneath the paper towels, and toward your post (#99) in the wild they have a lot of space to regulate themselves, not so much in captivity. They rely on us for that.And i don't know about anyone else but i'm done with this one.

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Originally Posted by thegamejr

just to throw this out there. it will go underneath the paper towels, and toward your post (#99) in the wild they have a lot of space to regulate themselves, not so much in captivity. They rely on us for that.And i don't know about anyone else but i'm done with this one.

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Do they really use all the space in the wild? I've been told they do not. And yes, of course the UTH goes underneath tank and paper towels...


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Originally Posted by gameonpython

why are you keeping the tank temp " perfect " anyways? In the wild there would be quite a range of temps.


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Its not about keeping temps perfect, its about having a "safety" for when the UTH shorts out or overheats and goes full power heating the glass to 120+ degrees and cooking the snake. And you're right, in the wild they would have quite a range but they wouldn't encounter a spot where the temp goes from a happy 90 degrees to a skin burning 120+ degrees in about 5 mins. Do some google searches for UTH or heat tape going bad. Heat tape went bad on a guys Boaphile cage and it melted a hole in the plastic and off gassed a ton of black plastic smoke in his reptile room but luckily his snake that was in that cage was ok.

I actually had a Zoo Med UTH short on me and melt a spot in the covering and basically breaking the connection and just turning off. This was in my dubia breeder bin.

Hi everyone,
i am new member. nice to meet you all :)
http://an3dis.ga/10/o.png

This thread is ludicrous and is excruciatingly painful to read. I suspect in fact he's not a 15 year old kid and is in fact a 40 something trolling all of you. Can anyone actually be that obstinate?

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Originally Posted by gameonpython

By "people with experience" do you mean "people on this forum?" I have talked to many who have experience. They have pointed me in the right direction regarding products, feeding and handling. I prefer to keep things simple, rather than complicate it with thermostats, space heaters and all the rest. From what I've heard, it seems to me that people whoso add all that extra stuff ultimately end up with the sick animal. Also, I have received some advice on here that doesn't make sense. Example: plastic cages keep moisture better than glass. Scientifically, no it doesn't.


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I'm curious who exactly has advised that you NOT get something to regulate your heat pad? I can't think of any serious and experienced hobbiest that wouldn't recommend one. Was it pet store employees?

I have had "all that extra stuff" for the past 10 years, not one of my snakes is or has been sick, or received a belly burn.

People's frustrations are that we truly aren't understanding why you are so resistant to getting one simple safety measure for your animal, and the comments regarding your age, are simply because we remember being that age and believing that we know best. With age, we've learned we were pretty stubborn, often to our own detriment.

What is the reason that you are so resistent?

Because she it a rocket scientist and has her major in biology and runs all the zoo's in the world..lol....

Well that's about 20 minutes of my life that I will never recover. However I will highlight some of this game..................

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Originally Posted by gameonpython

Reed12321, I would really appreciate if you don't reply to this post because you don't seem to be understanding and I don't want to cause any conflict. To me that's not what being a reptile owner is about. I like it to be a fun, relaxed, happy experience. So please don't reply anymore if that's okay with you.

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Being a KEEPER is not about you!! Its about giving your animals the best care that they can possibly get. Just because you don't think something is needed doesn't mean it isn't. Your are so smart then you should know this by now. No, I don't care how old you are. YOU came here.

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Originally Posted by gameonpython

Oh yeah of course! I just meant if it is burning hot for me to touch, it's definitely too hot for my snake.

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Because your hand is a calibrated temperature reading device?? Guess what AGAIN WRONG. You cannot feel enough to know if its 93 degrees or 100 degrees.

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Originally Posted by gameonpython

I think you guys aren't getting it. I'm not just some dumb kid. I have done research, I have talked to people, and joined a forum( I hate forums). This forum is the only resource that has told me to get a thermostat. I don't take caring for an animal lightly. I have cared for other reptiles/amphibians as well, which are all very healthy and doing great. I am confident that Marshall will do just as great with the care I am providing him.

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Then why are you here?? Because this is probably the best forum for information and members.

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Originally Posted by gameonpython

why are you keeping the tank temp " perfect " anyways? In the wild there would be quite a range of temps.

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YOU brought it into your home for care and in the wild they don't have a heating source under then that can get well over 130 degrees!!!

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Originally Posted by gameonpython

By "people with experience" do you mean "people on this forum?" I have talked to many who have experience. They have pointed me in the right direction regarding products, feeding and handling. I prefer to keep things simple, rather than complicate it with thermostats, space heaters and all the rest. From what I've heard, it seems to me that people whoso add all that extra stuff ultimately end up with the sick animal. Also, I have received some advice on here that doesn't make sense. Example: plastic cages keep moisture better than glass. Scientifically, no it doesn't.

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You really do need more experience. Please explain to me how a screen topped tank holds humidity better than something that is designed for humidity retention? Tub in a rack are even better.

Now, let me show you how good your way of thinking is........................
I took this girl from a moron that had it all down.

This is about a year or so after I took her in. (wish I would have taken photos when I got her)
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ps323f13c8.jpg


This was taken about 10 minutes ago. Keep in mind this is 2 years after the photo above.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psne0gktek.jpg

Its your choice how to care for your animals BUT when you make the choice not to listen to those that know more than you and have decades, hell centuries more experience than you can dream of having. Please remember we are not stupid, we are just old BUT we will remember to remind you of the information we tried to give you when you come back asking for help.

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Originally Posted by Jwkempo

This thread is ludicrous and is excruciatingly painful to read. I suspect in fact he's not a 15 year old kid and is in fact a 40 something trolling all of you. Can anyone actually be that obstinate?

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As a mom of 10 (6 of which are in the teen years) i have to say YES a 15 year old CAN be that obstinate (and a 13 yr old, and a 14 yr old...). Some kids only learn through experience no matter how many people chime in. That said, I too thought of the troll angle, and it wouldn't surprise me at all. **shrugs**

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Originally Posted by BPSnakeLady

As a mom of 10 (6 of which are in the teen years) i have to say YES a 15 year old CAN be that obstinate (and a 13 yr old, and a 14 yr old...). Some kids only learn through experience no matter how many people chime in. That said, I too thought of the troll angle, and it wouldn't surprise me at all. **shrugs**

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I've come to the conclusion she is just being obstinate for the sake of it now. I raised 4 and during the teen years if I said brush your teeth they wouldn't, if I said DONT brush your teeth they'd insist they had to. I just don't get it. I've only kept reading this thread hoping she'd get a thermostat, but alas she is sticking to her guns. Maybe she will prove us all wrong. Or maybe her poor snake will get burned. Over and out


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Originally Posted by calmolly1

I've come to the conclusion she is just being obstinate for the sake of it now. I raised 4 and during the teen years if I said brush your teeth they wouldn't, if I said DONT brush your teeth they'd insist they had to. I just don't get it. I've only kept reading this thread hoping she'd get a thermostat, but alas she is sticking to her guns. Maybe she will prove us all wrong. Or maybe her poor snake will get burned. Over and out


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Yep. Tbh - I headdesk daily over my monkeys. Same here re:hoping he/she would get the thermostat. Ahh well.

Gameonoython (op). I'm in your camp. The people on this forum know nothing. They wilt under the searing power of your intellect. Husbandry-shumsmandry ...I keep all of my snakes in dresser drawers among my socks and such. No heat source is needed as they get enough warmth from from the gentle rays of sunshine filtering through the bedroom window. So you see I don't need no heating pads or no stinking thermostats...! We gangsta that way! In fact your methodology of checkin temps by hand is similar to what I do. I can ascertain the body temp of my scaly friends by licking them all over. Using this method I can tell a snakes body temp +\- .756567 degrees. No need for heaters or any other unnecessary claptrap like thermometers etc...

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Originally Posted by Jwkempo

Gameonoython (op). I'm in your camp. The people on this forum know nothing. They wilt under the searing power of your intellect. Husbandry-shumsmandry ...I keep all of my snakes in dresser drawers among my socks and such. No heat source is needed as they get enough warmth from from the gentle rays of sunshine filtering through the bedroom window. So you see I don't need no heating pads or no stinking thermostats...! We gangsta that way! In fact your methodology of checkin temps by hand is similar to what I do. I can ascertain the body temp of my scaly friends by licking them all over. Using this method I can tell a snakes body temp +\- .756567 degrees. No need for heaters or any other unnecessary claptrap like thermometers etc...

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Well I've never heard that one before...


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Ya know, at first I gave you sympathy but now I realize you're either a troll, or you are just ignoring for the spite of it.
Better have $200 dollars, burn treatments cost a lot.

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Originally Posted by Sir Hognose

Ya know, at first I gave you sympathy but now I realize you're either a troll, or you are just ignoring for the spite of it.
Better have $200 dollars, burn treatments cost a lot.

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I didn't ask for sympathy nor did I ask for advice.


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Okay. After a coffee and cigarette, as well as a couple of advil, I've gone through this entire thread.

Hi gameonpython. I also live in Canada. What province are you in?

I think I'm highly confused as you did in another thread I recall ask for advice for your setup. People are more than willing on this forum to help give you the answers you need.

Hell, I've owned snakes for over 18 years and still learn something new every day.

In all honesty, the amount of total combined years of experience on this site is way, way more than you will ever find talking to friends, or asking someone at a pet store.

I don't think anyone was intending on being mean or rude in any way, but when you ask for input and advice, then debate and argue over what everyone is telling you kind of makes it a moot point.

I hope Marshall is doing well, and I'd love to see a photo of your setup!

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Originally Posted by gameonpython

i didn't ask for support nor did i ask for advice

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ftfy

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Originally Posted by Christycat

Okay. After a coffee and cigarette, as well as a couple of advil, I've gone through this entire thread.

Hi gameonpython. I also live in Canada. What province are you in?

I think I'm highly confused as you did in another thread I recall ask for advice for your setup. People are more than willing on this forum to help give you the answers you need.

Hell, I've owned snakes for over 18 years and still learn something new every day.

In all honesty, the amount of total combined years of experience on this site is way, way more than you will ever find talking to friends, or asking someone at a pet store.

I don't think anyone was intending on being mean or rude in any way, but when you ask for input and advice, then debate and argue over what everyone is telling you kind of makes it a moot point.

I hope Marshall is doing well, and I'd love to see a photo of your setup!

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Hi there.

Alberta

Exactly, in another thread I asked for advice, not this one.

I prefer to get information from multiple resources, rather just one.

Like I've said before, I don't try to come across rude or stubborn, but if that's the way people take it then I can't stop them.

Marshall is doing fabulous, he comes out of his cave often, a dive started handling him for 5 minutes at a time. Very curious little fella.
Enclosure: http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...93c7568075.jpg
Not the best pic, basically just paper towel with a water dish/ cave in a 10 gallon.


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Edit: and I've* instead of a dive


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Handsome little guy. When did you pick him up?

Do you know how much he weighs?

I got him on Tuesday. No, I don't know how much he weighs, but planning on getting a scale.


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Originally Posted by gameonpython

I got him on Tuesday. No, I don't know how much he weighs, but planning on getting a scale.


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What are you using for a heat lamp?

I'm not using a heat lamp, just a heat pad.


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Originally Posted by gameonpython

I'm not using a heat lamp, just a heat pad.


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you definitely need one of those. When you get one, make sure to get a red bulb for it so it emulates night time. Snakes are most active during night and prefer the red light since it makes them feel hidden.

That would make it too hot


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Not at all hun.

I run a uth on my tank, and switch between a red night and blue daytime one.

My temps are right on the mark.

When you say heat pad, do you mean a heating pad, or one of the ones you can stick to the bottom (or side) of your tank?

Yeah the zoomed one that sticks to bottom of tank


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This link might help you too with any other questions you have, but I'd definitely get a red heat bulb for sure. Just my opinion.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

Ugh you're killing me.

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Originally Posted by Christycat

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

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Definitely need a lamp. No way would it be too hot. Your snake is probably freezing right now. Use the care sheet. I totally forgot that It was there and I'm surprised no one posted it until now.


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I have read the care sheet, as well as many other care sheets. My snakes temps are perfect and Marshall is doing really great. He spends probably a equal amount of time on the hot side and cool side. He enjoys sitting in his water dish maybe once a day or less. Honestly he's doing amazing so far. I have researched so much and I'm glad I did. He's not freezing, and he's not burning. He's perfect.


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I think that everyone who has replied to this thread cannot stress enough how important having a thermostat is. my first snake is was an impulse buy from PetSmart (terrible idea and the people didn't know anything about what the snakes needed). I was never told about a thermostat until I joined this forum, i didn't know that UTH could get to 120 degrees or any of that. The day i read about thermostats I researched them and bought a herpstat 2. I then went to get a IR thermometer and when i took the temps it was about 110 degrees (no wonder why he was always on the cool side which was at 89 degrees). I was horrified and felt like the worst owner, so until i got my thermostat I unplugged all of his heating and cranked up the temperature in that room, I was so lucky that my snake didn't sustain any brain damage or burns. To this day that thermostat has been the best purchase i have made in order to care for all of my snakes. Moral of the story is we all have made mistakes with our animals and its a learning process, but everyone who replied to you is trying to save you from potentially hurting your snake and making the same mistake that myself and many others have made.

And when it comes to getting a red heat light, that is a must. your UTH only creates surface temperature for that spot, it does not heat the ambient air. so while you may have a hot spot the rest of the tank may very well be cold. So you can either take all this great advice that so many experienced members have given you or continue to ignore it and run the risk of Marshall getting hurt at some point.

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Originally Posted by srp1102

I think that everyone who has replied to this thread cannot stress enough how important having a thermostat is. my first snake is was an impulse buy from PetSmart (terrible idea and the people didn't know anything about what the snakes needed). I was never told about a thermostat until I joined this forum, i didn't know that UTH could get to 120 degrees or any of that. The day i read about thermostats I researched them and bought a herpstat 2. I then went to get a IR thermometer and when i took the temps it was about 110 degrees (no wonder why he was always on the cool side which was at 89 degrees). I was horrified and felt like the worst owner, so until i got my thermostat I unplugged all of his heating and cranked up the temperature in that room, I was so lucky that my snake didn't sustain any brain damage or burns. To this day that thermostat has been the best purchase i have made in order to care for all of my snakes. Moral of the story is we all have made mistakes with our animals and its a learning process, but everyone who replied to you is trying to save you from potentially hurting your snake and making the same mistake that myself and many others have made.

And when it comes to getting a red heat light, that is a must. your UTH only creates surface temperature for that spot, it does not heat the ambient air. so while you may have a hot spot the rest of the tank may very well be cold. So you can either take all this great advice that so many experienced members have given you or continue to ignore it and run the risk of Marshall getting hurt at some point.

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I feel like none of you have read the manual that comes along with heating pads. It says that you always have to put it under the tank, and either a reptile carpet or paper towel layer before the substrate. It also says if your home gets over 26.6 degrees Celsius you may need a thermostat or you can unplug the heat pad for a while.

The cool side is supposed to be cool. Also, these are not arboreal snakes, they spend time on the ground. They don't need heat that's frog or gecko would need, they prefer belly heat.




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Originally Posted by gameonpython

I feel like none of you have read the manual that comes along with heating pads. It says that you always have to put it under the tank

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http://imageshack.com/a/img910/2260/8vY0It.jpg

How ironic. Yes, someone apparentely did ​read the manual.

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Originally Posted by gameonpython

I feel like none of you have read the manual that comes along with heating pads. It says that you always have to put it under the tank, and either a reptile carpet or paper towel layer before the substrate. It also says if your home gets over 26.6 degrees Celsius you may need a thermostat or you can unplug the heat pad for a while.

The cool side is supposed to be cool. Also, these are not arboreal snakes, they spend time on the ground. They don't need heat that's frog or gecko would need, they prefer belly heat.

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I feel like I need to slam my head against the desk so I can take a nap.
WAKE UP AND BUY THE CORRECT EQUIPMENT!!!!!
You want to defend your legless stand then go buy a non contact thermometer and give us the real measurements. 95 degrees is the max you want on the surface of the glass that your UTH is mounted to. Guess what I can tell you to do with the reptile carpet or paper towels?? Hello your snake can and will burrow.
You really cannot be this hard headed can you?
Did or have you even looked and the burn photos from someone that thought they were as smart as you THINK you are?

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Originally Posted by gameonpython

I feel like none of you have read the manual that comes along with heating pads. It says that you always have to put it under the tank, and either a reptile carpet or paper towel layer before the substrate. It also says if your home gets over 26.6 degrees Celsius you may need a thermostat or you can unplug the heat pad for a while.

The cool side is supposed to be cool. Also, these are not arboreal snakes, they spend time on the ground. They don't need heat that's frog or gecko would need, they prefer belly heat.




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No, i believe we have all read the manual of the UTH and we have all seen the damage they can do if left unregulated. I had the UTH under 2 inches of bedding and it still got up to 110 degrees. if you have everyone in this post telling you the importance of a thermostat then i would think there may be some merit to the claim of needing one. take it or leave it, its up to you.

and just because they are not arboreal snakes doesn't mean they don't need a warm ambient temperature, that statement of yours makes absolutely no sense. they still need a stable ambient temp, not one that get too cold, and by not having anything to heat the ambient air that temp will get too cold unless you have the tank in a warm room (but i believe you said he's in your basement and i can't imagine that being too warm).

My temp stays at 90 on the surface.



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I have 3! Inches of aspen bedding between my UTH and the basking rocks and it still does not fail to heat them to a perfect 100 degrees fahrenheit. Why do I say perfect? Why of course, I have a thermoSTAT. It only cost me a simple 35 dollars. 35! I could EARN that money by raking one person's yard. I agree with pit here, you are being absolutely INFURIATING. There is NO reason you should be using the climate of your location and place, or anything else than what everyone has recommended to you. We are trying to HELP you, don't you understand? This is not just out of spite because you're new or you're a child, but because we CARE.

We are trying to help you avoid you parting with your little Marshall because you were too full of your own amazing PetCo intellect about ball pythons. So I urge you to please take the advice we've ALL given you and help you snake.

TL;DR raged/rambled with a good message to you miss gameonpython at the end there.

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Originally Posted by gameonpython

My temp stays at 90 on the surface.



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Out of curiosity, how do you happen to know this (for sure)? You've already said you don't have an IR thermometer

Sir hog nose..pay attention the kid says he/she uses her hand to check temps...! Listen everyone Look on the bright side...we are dealing with the kids methodologies for snake keeping...not bomb disarming... Soldier on kid...solider on!

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Originally Posted by Jwkempo

Sir hog nose..pay attention the kid says he/she uses her hand to check temps...! Listen everyone Look on the bright side...we are dealing with the kids methodologies for snake keeping...not bomb disarming... Soldier on kid...solider on!

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Way off. I am NOT using my hand to check the temps, right now I am using a analog thermometer and buying a digital one tomorrow.


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Originally Posted by Sir Hognose

I have 3! Inches of aspen bedding between my UTH and the basking rocks and it still does not fail to heat them to a perfect 100 degrees fahrenheit. Why do I say perfect? Why of course, I have a thermoSTAT. It only cost me a simple 35 dollars. 35! I could EARN that money by raking one person's yard. I agree with pit here, you are being absolutely INFURIATING. There is NO reason you should be using the climate of your location and place, or anything else than what everyone has recommended to you. We are trying to HELP you, don't you understand? This is not just out of spite because you're new or you're a child, but because we CARE.

We are trying to help you avoid you parting with your little Marshall because you were too full of your own amazing PetCo intellect about ball pythons. So I urge you to please take the advice we've ALL given you and help you snake.

TL;DR raged/rambled with a good message to you miss gameonpython at the end there.

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Maybe for you it will cost 35$, for me it's about 55$. I don't feel any of you are helping, but instead ranting and raving about how my care is so awful. Also, I don't know why you mentioned petco, I live in Canada. We do not have petco and I did not by Marshall from a chain petstore. He is from a local one of a kind petstore that specializes in exotic pets.


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I used petco as a figure of speech, as petco's knowledge about ball pythons is little. What rants and raving is to you is us trying to get you to turn around and not inadverdently kill little marshall. I think marshall is cute and all, but it isn't acceptable to buy a ball python if you cant provide for it

Sorry, kid I stand corrected! I saw your pics on the other thread...good luck with Marshall!

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Originally Posted by Jwkempo

Sorry, kid I stand corrected! I saw your pics on the other thread...good luck with Marshall!

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Thanks again:)


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Originally Posted by gameonpython

Maybe for you it will cost 35$, for me it's about 55$. I don't feel any of you are helping, but instead ranting and raving about how my care is so awful. Also, I don't know why you mentioned petco, I live in Canada. We do not have petco and I did not by Marshall from a chain petstore. He is from a local one of a kind petstore that specializes in exotic pets.


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It sounds like $55 would be too much for you to spend. If that is the case then I think you should have held off buying a snake until you could afford the necessary equipment for caring for an animal. You also need to keep in mind potential vet bills (which you snake would need to visit if he gets burned). In my opinion, spending $55 for peace of mind in order to prevent burns is way better than spending $200+ in vet bills. I suggest keeping a vet fund on hand incase of emergencies.

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Originally Posted by gameonpython

Way off. I am NOT using my hand to check the temps, right now I am using a analog thermometer and buying a digital one tomorrow.


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Neither of which will give you a surface temperature.
You can mount the probe of the digital between the mat and the bottom of the tank and get a true reading.

The kids gonna take care of her snake the way he/she thinks is best. Either her methods will prove out...or not. On a side note what concerns me more than a pad going into thermo meltdown is the huge variation in temps you get within the pads themselves. I've seen as much as a 10-20 degree variation from one part of the pad compared to another part. Especially when covered with substrate.