new ball python

Hi
This is my first ball python. This is his/her enclosure 18x18x24. I know the height is not needed. As she grows I will have a custom made wood tank. I have digital thermometer/hygrometer, under tank heater, repto bark, 40 watt light 2 feet up. Ihttp://i933.photobucket.com/albums/a...ython003-1.jpgt still is cold in mass, large water dish, large hide shaped like a tree

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/a...python4001.jpg
She loves to climb into the tree

what u use for bedding?it look like it hard to clean.maybe you can use this for display only n put ur snake in another tube.i dont know what others say,just my opinion.

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/a.../python001.jpg

I am looking for any type feedack. i want to make sure I do everything right.

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Originally Posted by lisafoster2510

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/a.../python001.jpg

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i really like this pic.so cute........

it have a patern that looklike spider..just nice bp.

you said that your bp "always" love to climb the tree,bp dont always do that,almost 80% a day she in her hide.maybe she not comfortable in that tank.try check again your husbandry,what your bedding,hot spot temp,cool spot temp n humidity.

Do you have any regulation on your uth? What are the temps on the top of the substrate on the cold and warm sides? Do you have a hide on the warm and cool side? A ball python should be hiding a lot. If it isn't it is likely stressed. Good luck :)

i just put her in the cage today maybe that is why she is checking it out. The tank is 18" x18" should I get one that is 36" now or should I wait. I ordered a thermostat for the uth I had no idea I needed one. right now she is stretched out on the ground looking with her head up looking out of the tank

My house stays cool at about 65degrees. the side where the hide is is about 80 and about 70 on the cool side humidity is 60% that is from my digital thermometer/hygrometer. I have also ordered a temp gun. I have two hides

I like the look of the substrate I don't mind cleaning. I set up all my reptiles in terrarium style tank I do not like having standard tanks all over my house.

That is too cold. Your snake can and will get sick at those temperatures. They should have 88-92 degrees on the hot side and 78-80 on the cold side.

Please read the Ball Python (Python regius) Caresheet

Good luck with the new snake! The animal looks really great.

Regards,

B

that mean she stress.you should by some tube like this.if bp hide mean she is a happy bp.

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../tub_setup.jpg

I was worried about the cold I live in new england. Should I go out and get a ceramic heating light? There is an UTH in the hide I cannot get an exact temp reading I ordered a thermostat so I am sure in the hide it is warmer

The temp is going to drop at night should I get a red night bulb to keep it warm. Hopefully the warmer weather is on its way. I live right at the ocean s it gets chilly

i can run out now and buy anything i need.

Did you read the caresheet?

Ball pythons are pretty simple. Provide the temps and humidity however you can, give them a water dish and places to hide, and don't give them TOO much "open" space. Beyond that you can be creative in housing.

However, if you're choosing 'pretty' without providing adequate temperature or humidity, you're BEGGING for health problems for your snake.

I was accidently placing the temp probe in the middle of the tank. Groud tempin hiding spot where uth is 88 degress the ground temp on warm side is 80, 78 on cool side. Yes I did read the care sheets. However i have found that getting personal experiences from people works alot better. the care sheets do not take into account where you live and other variables. If i ran my reef tanks and chameleons on care sheets alone i would be in trouble. Pretty, I did not realize there was a problem using repti bark.

I chose reptibark because I figured it would help keep the humidity up. I have to constantly mist my chameleon cages to keep up with humidity when the heat is on

better use coconut chipsi or aspen for good humidity.and use tube because it easy to control humidity.bp is not a good display animal,because it always hide.so,simple tube is enough for her.it ok if u want to use that tank but like i said before,it only if u want to display it,maybe 2 or 3 day in that tank than a week in the tube.i dont suggest the lightbulb because it dont help much.bp just need belly heat n sometime too much light will make bp stress.they just need the heat,not light.n 1 more think.you MUST read the caresheet.it will explain more than u expected.thank to that caresheet,now i already understand my bp n ready to start to breed it next year.

ISo you have to keep a ball python in a plastic tub

not like that,what i mean is,u can still use that tank if u can give right heat n humidity.if u r hard to get it right,try use tube,because tube is easy to take care.the humidty is always right n the heat is easy(because tube is longer than ur tank,so that the hot spot n the cool spot is far from each other.than the temp of hot spot n cool spot dont mix.if u have a small tank like that,i think ur uth will make the whole tank a hot spot)

I had thought going up to a 36" tank for such a small snake would be to large. The snake is only a baby. The uth is about 4x4". I was thinking I could mist once day to keep up the humidity plus I cahnged the substrate to eco earth I figured that would help. Once the weather warms up the humidity will rise.

Beautiful tank but I agree you are going to have problems with it. Heat humidity and stress mainly. You don't have to do the tub. It is the easiest option but whatever you do it needs to be heated right, and provide safety. Switching the snake from display to tub is going to be way to stressful. You need to have one setup and keep that. With a taller cage really you aren't being as efficient as possible. You are going to need more heat lamps, more spraying, and on top of that you may still have a stressed out snake. They don't use tall cages. It's really just adding more problems. I recommend getting a 20 gallon breeder tank( those are shorter than regular tanks) if you want to keep the one you have you really are just going to need to make sure the bottom has a hot and cold side. Hot side is 90-92.f and the cold side is 80.f if the hotside is right on the cool end will be as well. You've got a little work to do on that tank. 1st things are to make sure your temps are correct. Hope this helps
Morgan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lisafoster2510

I had thought going up to a 36" tank for such a small snake would be to large. The snake is only a baby. The uth is about 4x4". I was thinking I could mist once day to keep up the humidity plus I cahnged the substrate to eco earth I figured that would help. Once the weather warms up the humidity will rise.

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Its best to have a UTH that covers about a bottom third of the tank. That way the animal doesnt have to use the hide to be warm. A large tank is not a great plan, as smaller is usually better for balls. They just need a couple hides, a 90 deg and a 80 deg side and your set. Then the humidity should be around 60 and your golden. I opted to use tubs just because they are super easy to maintain heat and humidity. Balls hide most the time anyways, so display is just some fake plants and rocks :). Lots of people use tanks though, but they take more effort.

If you animal hides a lot, sheds fully and eats well things are probably okay. But its always important to try and keep husbandry at an optimum level to help prevent disease and promote longevity.

I posted my new 20 gallon long set up. Advice welcome.