Swimming BP?

Just came across a new topic of interest to me while browsing the forums: odor.
How do you mitigate it is my primary concern?
Are there practices that can reduce odor?

Check every day for the need to clean. Wipe out tub with vinegar. The only time I really have bad smelling animals is during breeding.

Vinegar, got it. Thanks.
Oh, well breeding won't be an issue for me. Good to know.
Edit: 50/50 Vinegar/Water has also been recommended to me from a local multi-snake owner.

Does substrate choice do anything relevant?
Edit 2: Butcher Paper vs. newspaper?

You can also use F10 or Chlorhexadine. I use chlorhexadine personally. Some substrates like coconut fiber will reduce the smell of their poop, but since you should be cleaning it as soon as you're aware of it anyway, this shouldn't be a real factor. Ball pythons themselves don't have a lot in the way of scent and most of the time it's hard to smell them unless you're really trying and impossible outside of their enclosure - I find their scent fairly pleasant personally. If you can smell anything without trying, it's probably time to clean.

I some of the natural substrates will conceal odor to an extent. I have used natural substrate in the past with lizards but not with snakes. Everything I own at this point is on paper. It does not look as nice, but it is a lot easier for me to keep clean. Most of my snakes, unless they are fasting will have a major defecation weekly. This generally means I replace the paper in each tub twice weekly. Once after the usually Wednesday poop, and once after feeding day. It takes around 2-3 minutes to clean a tub and inspect an animal.

I met my future boop today. :)
He's sooooooo CUUUUUUTTTTEEEE!
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...kane2small.jpg
He scarfed me too! XD
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...scarfsmall.jpg

Original owner says he gets fed once every 2-3 weeks and has never bit anyone.
Original owner also says I should get the lock on my T8 as a bp has enough friction in their scales to slide open the sliding glass doors (he personally had one snake escape this way once, he did recover the snake though, fortunately). XD
Need to figure out where I'm going to source my f/t rats from.
Oh and I should use a heat gun on the thawed rats to ensure 85-90 deg F temp.

I often hear good things about both Perfect Prey and Big Cheese Rodent Factory for f/t feeders!

Also congrats!!!

Thanks MissterDog! I'll definitely check those out.

More questions ahoy!:
For the break-in period when I first get my snake I know you aren't supposed to handle him or anything for the first week or so (except where necessary for cleaning etc). My snake will be living in my bedroom in a T8/12. I don't spend a whole lot of time in there outside of sleep, but he won't be completely by himself at nights. Should I use a cover on the front of his enclosure for the first week? Or will he be ok as long as I'm not touching him?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Flyheight

For the break-in period when I first get my snake I know you aren't supposed to handle him or anything for the first week or so (except where necessary for cleaning etc). My snake will be living in my bedroom in a T8/12. I don't spend a whole lot of time in there outside of sleep, but he won't be completely by himself at nights. Should I use a cover on the front of his enclosure for the first week? Or will he be ok as long as I'm not touching him?

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I don't think you need to cover as long as he has a hide he should be able to curl up in there and feel secure.

Awesomesauce, thanks Timeluguia

When I'm cleaning the snake cage I'm going to need a separate container to put the snake in, would a snake bag be ok for this?
And what size snake bag for a 5 foot male ball python?
Reptile Basics has 8x12, 12x16, and 15x24. I'm sure I could find other sizes if I looked elsewhere.
Actually, now that I think about it I'll quite possibly receive the snake bag with the snake from my seller so this sizing thing may not be an issue since he'll be giving me one that's good for the snake already.
Still would like to know if the bag would be fine for while cage cleaning.