Bedding and Shedding

I just got my Ball Python last night. Her name is Shilow. I got her Corn Cob Bedding. Is this OK to use? The only reason I'm asking is, tonight I fed her for the first time. She got some of it in her mouth on her first kill. After getting the mouse down the bedding was in there. And she was having a very hard time getting it out. Should I change the bedding?

Also should I have something in there with her, like a small log or something rough for her to rub against when it is time for her to shed?

Thank you to anyone who can help
Punk's Girl :skullbone

Corn cob is a bedding you want to avoid as they have small pieces in which they can get into there glottis(breathing tube). Also it can be very dusty and dry which in turn MAY cause respiratory problems.

Best alternative is Newspaper,Paper towel,Aspen,Cyprus Mulch

i have heard nothing good about that stuff so switch to something else. i was using aspen for my 20gal but i switched to newspaper and im soon going to a rack with tubs. if u really like aspen or some other similar substrate try feeding in another enclosure. i kno a lot of people say not to but if u start while ur snake is young enough ur ok. i did that for a while n my snake was alwasy fine

What do you mean by "going to a rack with tubs"? Is it a different type of tank or cage?

Punk's Girl :skullbone

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ighlight=racks

also do a search for racks on BP.net or google for some vids

As for the rough thing to rub up on. I keep my snakes in tubs with only paper towel, a ceramic water dish, and a smooth plastic hide. None of them ever have problems shedding.

The humidity is really what is important. Make sure your humidity reader is digital. You should have 50-60% humidity normally and around 70% during a shed cycle.

Corn cob is extremely drying. The cheapest and best is good ole newsprint or paper towels. It might not look as cool but it is very hygienic and easy to clean.

Depending on where you live, an aquarium may not be to good for your snake. If you live in an area that stays fairly humid it might not be an issue. If you live in a really dry area like me an aquarium is terrible. Aquariums do not hold heat or humidity well at all.

The cheapest alternative to an aquarium is a tub from walmart. You can burn holes in it for air to circulate. They hold humidity and heat super good.

You might check out the care sheets on here.

As a rule in my set-up I would 1st use paper towel. Why?? Well because I spray the paper towel down with P.A.M. and same with the new snake. Even if I trust the place/breeder. Just a small precaution but could save many headaches. I keep checking to see if I see any mites on the white paper towel. Then after about 1-1/2 to 2 months of being treated then I would change up to either news paper or Aspen.

I would strongly recomend to not use the corn cob stuff. Like stated above this can leed to issues with food intake.
Hope this helps and good luck. Hope to see pics.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WaRocker

As a rule in my set-up I would 1st use paper towel. Why?? Well because I spray the paper towel down with P.A.M. and same with the new snake. Even if I trust the place/breeder. Just a small precaution but could save many headaches. I keep checking to see if I see any mites on the white paper towel. Then after about 1-1/2 to 2 months of being treated then I would change up to either news paper or Aspen.

I would strongly recomend to not use the corn cob stuff. Like stated above this can leed to issues with food intake.
Hope this helps and good luck. Hope to see pics.

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Spraying the SNAKE with PAM will kill it...

After looking at the rack with tub system. It dosn't look like something I would be wanting to do. I only have the one right now. Plus I like seeing Shilow. I have her in a 55 gal. tank. And as for her bedding. I'm removing the Corn Cob tonight and going with newspaper for a bit until I can get to PetSmart to get some Aspen Bedding. I really like the look of it.

BTW Thank you all so much for the info. Shilow is not my frist BP, I had one when I was about 12 or 13. But my dad took care of bedding and things like that. So yeah....I'm a bit of a noob at this. And I'm open to any info you can share.

an enclosure that size is too big for a BP. ur snake will get stressed out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mpkeelee

an enclosure that size is too big for a BP. ur snake will get stressed out.

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That isn't necessarily true. The biggest problem with large enclosures is temperatures and humidity. A big tall aquarium means lots of air that you have to heat and maintain humidity in. Ball pythons don't really need the extra 12" of height that a 55g has which means half of the tank is unoccupied by the snake.

A 40g breeder has about the same floor space as a 55g but a much lower height. I would only put a full grown ball python in anything bigger than a 20g though. Ball pythons are secretive snakes that enjoy tight spaces. Ball pythons are not the kind of snake that you will see roaming around. They don't need floor space, they need two tight fitting hides and a water bowl.

All you really has to do about the big tank is to provide 2 different hides. One on each side for security. Then you can go to a craft store or even walmart and look in the isle with all the fake plants. Get a bunch of vine type plants with big leaves. NOT ones with a big hard plastic stem. Check the plants at home for any loops or areas she could squeeze her head in and cut those areas open for safety. Place the plants around the tank for a natural look and to make her feel more secure.

Big shallow water bowl in the center will help for humidity and soaking. Cover the top of the tank with something such as foil or taped down saran wrap to keep in heat and humidity. Leave the area around the heat lamp open for air flow. Cover the back and 2 sides of the aquarium. Use fish tank wallpapers or paint (on the outside) or whatever you want.

You can make it look really nice while still keeping the snake happy, secure and healthy.

Just keep a storage tub to put her in on feeding day so you dont need to mess around with bedding or her getting in the plants while trying to eat.

There are alot of affordable ways to keep a BP happy and healthy in a big tank like that. Post us some more pictures once you are done with it.