first ball python

i got my first ball python tonight form a friend of mine who dosent have time for it anymore. ive been reading these forums and other sites for a while and have wanted to get one. i brought it home tonight and got him all set up. thought i would post some pics for everyone. he had ceader in the tank when i got him i cleaned the tank and and im using shreaded paper from our paper shreader is this ok? in the morning i am going to get him a good uth and heat bulb for the light.

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/100_1204.jpg
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/100_1203.jpg
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/100_1202.jpg
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/100_1208.jpg
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/100_1207.jpg

welcome, you've come to the right place :)

:welcome: Glad to see you got him off the cedar. A few substrate alternatives are paper towels, newspaper or aspen. The shredded paper should be fine. Cedar is TOXIC to ball pythons so keep your eye our for signs of a respiratory infection (wheezing, mucous, open mouth breathing).

Also, I would invest in a proper lid and cage clips. Weight alone isn't always enough to stop a ball python from escaping.

It would also be a good idea to get a hide exactly like the one you have now for the other side of the tank, then put the water bowl in the middle. Ball pythons need to thermoregulate (they need a hot side and a cool side) and if they don't have two identical hides, they won't thermoregulate properly.

Also, I would recommend getting an Under Tank Heater (UTH) instead of a heat lamp. Ball pythons really benefit from belly heat as they don't bask like lizards do. Also, they are nocturnal and don't need supplemental lighting.

Make sure you also get some good digital thermometers to measure your temps!

Welcome to ball-pythons.net, hope you enjoy it here.

His eyes are blue? Looks like he is going into shed. Don't bother him too much until he sheds. :)

Yeah by the looks of his skin, he really really needs to shed soon! Also i'm glad you took him off cedar, cedar is pretty much bad for everything and everyone, except furniture. Good luck with him and keep that humidity up like crazy for the next week or so!!!

heres a pick of him now with the paper and 2nd hide
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/100_1210.jpg

Yes, he definitely looks to be in the blue stage. Also, if I'm not mistaken, I see a dented eyecap. If you didn't know, dented eyecaps are caused from low humidity. Along with the digital thermometer Kaorte recommended, try and get a digital hygrometer, as well. The Acu-rite digital weather station will have both a temperature reader, as well as humidity. You can get it at Wal-Mart for $20-$25.

For now, just spray the tank a couple times a day to keep his humidity up.

PS: Heat lamps suck out tons of humidity. So if you can, try to keep the tank at the proper temperatures without a lamp.

its not a dented eye cap a rat got one of his eyes about 4 months ago

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shadow120

its not a dented eye cap a rat got one of his eyes about 4 months ago

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Oof. I'd be surprised if that BP isn't hesitant about eating.

:welcome:to BP.net...

In addition to what the others have said, I would also recommend the Acu-Rite. Depending on which model the store has it will either be called the Weather Station for the newer model or the older model is labeled as Indoor/Outdoor thermometer. Usually you can find them at Wal-mart in the Hardware section or a Lowe's in the outdoor section. They will cost you about $12. Also, while you are there, I would look at getting something to cover 3 sides of the tank. This will help your new buddy feel more secure because the tank won't be so open. You can use anything like construction paper, poster board, foam board, aquarium scenery, or anything like that. You can be creative. Also you might think about putting some fake vines in there, at some point, for him to move around under. Plus it will help fill in some of the vertical dead space. You can usually find these at the dollar stores or arts and crafts stores like Michael's for a few dollars and they are alot cheaper than what the pet stores sell the same thing for.
If you go with the Under Tank Heater, you really need to get a thermostat to control it. Using an un-regulated heater can cause bad burns and the cost of a thermostat will be cheaper than the cost of the vet bills for not using one. There are several brands and styles available to suit your requirements ranging in price from about $30 on up.
Good Luck with your new friend and welcome to the addiction... :gj:

welcome. everything i was gonna advize has already been said here so your in good hands. good luck with your new friend.

update

i thought i would post an update and some new pics. she is up to 44 inches and 1100g. shes eating strong im feeding a med rat every week. i also got her into a bigger tank with therodstat

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/100_1258.jpg
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/100_1259.jpg
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/100_1260.jpg

Wow she looks like she's put on a lot of size compared to the first pictures! Such a pretty girl. I'm glad you were able to give her a good home. :)

ya shes put on about 6 inches and 300g