Noob BP help

I just got my BP last monday. I have a 20g long glass tank set up for him with a screen lid. I have a wooden log type hide that is open on both sides for him, and I use equine for substrate. I use a standard human heater (for back pain and such) under his warm side along with a basking light and on the other side its just the water bowl. My temperature right above the substrate is approximately 85F which I know is way to low.

Since I got my new BP (Ringo) I have handle him multiple times and he seems pretty comfortable. Usually sits in my hand for a couple minutes before starting to move a little bit. I fed him his first mouse Friday since I got him. He grabbed it right away with no problems.

So a couple of my concerns. I have left him alone since feeding until tonight, and I can notice that his coloration has faded tremendously. His yellow color is now almost a green. I am assuming it is time for him to shed but I want to make sure its not because he is sick or something. I cant tell of any eye discoloration but I do notice on top of his head it looks like a dry spot, which just looks like human dry skins somewhat. Am I overreacting or does this seem normal?

Since I believe it may be a shed I have set up a humidifier and a moist towel over his tank.

I also realize his enclosure may be too cool. From what I know I have done everything I can to make it warm enough. What else should I apply to reach the proper low 90 temperatures?

In advance, thanks for all the help!

Give it some time he really is probably only shedding. make sure the humidity is up so its a clean shed!!!

Damped towel and humidifier should be good right?

The best thing that you can do it pick up a tub. The human heat pad cant really penatrate throught the glass and then the substrate. Go to wal-mart and buy a 32qt tub. Then put the heat pad under 1/3 to 1/2 of the tub. Put your substrate in, and two hides. Half logs are pretty bad hides. They leave two sides open. The best thing you can do is get a smaller cardboard box for like poptarts or granola bars and cut a small hole for an entrance. These are disposable and FREE. You'll also need to solder some holes in the side of the tub, just enough to have air circulation without losing too much heat and humidity.

As for your ball python losing his color, hes going into shed. His belly is probably pink too. You said you've handled multiple times and you just got him last monday. You shouldnt bother him for 5-7 days after getting him in his new home. Then after that time you should try to feed him and if he accepts, then give him about 2 days to digest. If he doesnt accept the item then leave him for another week. Throughout this whole time you shouldnt handle him at all. You can check on him, the temps, humidity and check for waste but that should be it. Ball pythons are easily stressed and can be picky eaters, so you want to make it as easy as you can on them.

I think that answered most of your questions. Congrats on the new BP and welcome to the addiction. They key is to be patient.

yeah i just use a damp paper towel under the hide or wet the news paper if they on that personal preference! pick a method you like i was always going to get a few spounges to use over and over never got around to getting any... thought it would be easy and save paper towels to just throw a spounge in there...

What are you using for a thermometer? Is it measuring the surface of the substrate or is it measuring the air temp? What are you using for substrate?

Equine is the substrate and for measuring tempature I am using standard reptile high temperature thermometer that stinks on side of tank.

I kind of like the idea of a tub as well. But that for another then when I have more $$$

Is the dampened towel on top of the tank good enough of should I put something under him?

What is equine substrate?
Tubs are cheap if you want to go that route. They are becoming more and more popular. In theory you could sell your 20long and buy just about everything you need with the money you get from it. I don't have many issues with my glass tank though so I use it for my BP.

As for the temps/humidity: you can't rely on the thermometer you have. They are inaccurate and they aren't measuring what you need them to which is the substrate. You can get one at walmart for $12 that measures the temperature with a probe that you place on the floor of the tank. This will also measure the humidity of the tank so there is no guessing. As for now I'd keep the moist towel over and that should be fine. During shed time I throw in a moist hide which is just a small tupperware container with a hole cut in the lid the he can get in/out. I put paper towels in the bottom and put it in the hot end to the snake can go in there and have it real moist.

Maybe I am calling it the wrong thing, but it is tiny cylinder pieces of wood.

Would you suggest the heaters that stick to the bottom of the enclosure that can be bought at most pet stores over the heat pad I am using?

Make sure that your substrate does not contain any cedar or pine in it. If he is going in to shed there are several ways to tell depending on how far along they are. One way is late in the shed a couple days before shedding their eyes will turn milky(blue). Another way is their bellies usually turn a pinkish color earlier in the process. You will also notice after the eyes lose their milky appearance the snake will still have a couple days before shedding.

hope this helps

Danny

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Originally Posted by Greg31

Maybe I am calling it the wrong thing, but it is tiny cylinder pieces of wood.

Would you suggest the heaters that stick to the bottom of the enclosure that can be bought at most pet stores over the heat pad I am using?

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buy a tub, buy some DIGITAL THERMOMETERS, buy a heat pad or heat tape and ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS use a thermostat to regulate your temps or it could get too hot and possibly melt the tub!

as mentioned before also invest in tight fitting hides! half logs are open on 2 sides which can make the BP seem vulnerable! get a hide just big enough for him to fit in and leave 1 entrance. this will increase the security.

with tubs it's difficult to go wrong. they're cheap, very effective in keeping heat and humidity, and most of the time, the sides are very blurry so it can keep stress low as the BP will feel secure!

Should I stick with my substrate which is equine (small cylinder pieces of shaved wood) or go to paper towels?

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Originally Posted by Greg31

Should I stick with my substrate which is equine (small cylinder pieces of shaved wood) or go to paper towels?

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If you know what kind of wood it contains and you are sure that there is NO PINE and NO CEDAR (these are toxic to reptiles) then you should be ok. If you don't know for sure what it contains then you need to get rid of it. The substrate should also not be dusty because this can cause RI's (respiratory infections).

As for the heat pad, first you need to get digital thermometers so you can measure the heat. It should be between 90-93 on the hot side. If you can attain this heat with the pad you have now, all the power to you. If you are coming up short, then you need to get a new heat pad. You can do whatever you want, really, as long as you are providing the best conditions for your snake and there are certain measures that you need to take to ensure that you are doing so.

I just set up my tub. I will post pics in a bit. Looks pretty good I think. The hide may be a little big. You guys can be the judge.

Equine is not a good substrate for ball pythons.

I've used it for rats, and stopped using it fairly quickly.

What would you suggest?

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Originally Posted by Greg31

What would you suggest?

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Aspen shavings, cypress mulch, and newspaper have all worked well for me.

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Originally Posted by Nocturnal

Aspen shavings, cypress mulch, and newspaper have all worked well for me.

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I have used all 3. Cypress mulch I like the best but newspaper is sooo easy to clean.