Getting First BP Please Help!!!

Hey, I'm new here and I plan on getting a BP from a local pet store. I need help knowing what to get for him or her. My younger sister gave me a 100 gallon Reptarium for my birthday and I am wondering if that will work for housing my snake. I keep my room really warm, about 65 during the day and around 70+ at night. My room is also fairly humid (don't have a tool to check that right now). I have set up the cage and added the substrate (newspaper) and hides so far. When I get my allowance I'm going to get things for my snake to climb on, fake plants, and heat lamps. I would like to know what would work best. Also, will the Reptarium work? My family has four cats and one of them sleeps in my room at night. Could my cat get through the mesh and harm my snake? We keep her claws trimmed but she seems to like sitting on top of the cage. Would that stress my snake too much? The Reptarium zips closed and I don't think that she could open it. Please help!!! Thank you in advance.

You can't keep a bp in a reptarium...those are meant for chams and the such. Not to mention your bp would be VERY stressed out in an enclosure anywhere near 100 gallons. Please take a look at the caresheet and read it thoroughly. If you have any questions after reading it then please feel free to ask :)

I would advise you also to do a lot more research on this animal before picking it up....

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

And welcome to the site :)

100 gallon is way too big, especially for a young BP. If nothing else, you're probably going to have to section parts of it off.

And cat's and snakes don't really get along from what I've heard. Keep an eye on your cat and make sure that lid is secure. I would do everything possible to get that cat to stop hanging out up there, it certainly won't make your snake feel relaxed.

Also, you will need your heat source before you get a snake. Under the Tank Heaters are much better than heat lamps because lamps dry the air out.

Your snake needs an air temp in the 80s, with a hot spot of 92-94 and a cool spot in the mid 80s.

I suggest reading the care sheet...

UTH and thermostat, if you are crafty you can divide the tank.
Depending on the size you the BP you get will depend on where the divider needs to be.
+3 on reading the care sheet:gj:

x4

It will be almost impossible to keep up the humidity that a bp needs in an enclosure like that. Plus it's WAY too big, since I'm assuming that it's fairly young/small if you're getting it from a pet store. And yeah, having a cat in there with a mesh cage like that isn't a good idea... even though the cat probably wouldn't be able to get through it, if the snake had its face against the mesh while exploring and the cat decided to paw at it and got a claw in there... not good.

Ball pythons are awesome snakes though, and the care sheet here is a great place to start!! :)

I was planning on sectioning off the cage to about half until the BP got bigger. I've been working on training my cat to stay off of the cage and she's been doing quite well. (I've set up more places for her to lay down.) I know that my room at the temperature it's at right now would NOT work. So I'll need an under the tank heater and not heat lamps? Wouldn't I need both to keep the air temp up? I have read the care sheet multiple times. Oh, and I have a humidifier in my room.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

UTH and thermostat, if you are crafty you can divide the tank.
Depending on the size you the BP you get will depend on where the divider needs to be.
+3 on reading the care sheet:gj:

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He/she doesn't have a tank, it's one of those huge mesh enclosures for chams....there's no way a bp can be kept in those right?? I thought the same thing until I googled "reptarium" lol

I'm not wrong in thinking not only is it unsafe with other pets in the house but how could it possibly hold humidity? Unless he/she lives in New Mexico the humidity inside the house can't be that high?

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Originally Posted by LGray23

He doesn't have a tank, it's one of those huge mesh enclosures for chams....there's no way a bp can be kept in those right?? I thought the same thing until I googled "reptarium" lol I'm not wrong in thinking not only is it unsafe with other pets in the house but how could it possibly hold humidity? Unless he/she lives in New Mexico the humidity inside the house can't be that high?

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I have a humidifier in my room.

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Originally Posted by pianoflute2

I've been working on training my cat to stay off of the cage and she's been doing quite well. (I've set up more places for her to lay down.)

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Well, it's very difficult to train a cat. Believe me, as soon as she sees a snake moving around in there, she'll want to go over and investigate. It's just not the right kind of enclosure for a bp anyway in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

He doesn't have a tank, it's one of those huge mesh enclosures for chams....there's no way a bp can be kept in those right??

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I suppose you could, but you'd probably have to mist like 20 times a day haha unless you live in a humid climate or have a good humidifier anyway //edit// sorry, I didn't see that you had a humidifier :oops:

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Originally Posted by blushingball419

Well, it's very difficult to train a cat. Believe me, as soon as she sees a snake moving around in there, she'll want to go over and investigate. It's just not the right kind of enclosure for a bp anyway in my opinion.



I suppose you could, but you'd probably have to mist like 20 times a day haha unless you live in a humid climate or have a good humidifier anyway.

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My cat knows that if she goes near the cage she gets sprayed with water, which she hates. And I have a humidifier.

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Originally Posted by blushingball419

Well, it's very difficult to train a cat. Believe me, as soon as she sees a snake moving around in there, she'll want to go over and investigate. It's just not the right kind of enclosure for a bp anyway in my opinion.



I suppose you could, but you'd probably have to mist like 20 times a day haha unless you live in a humid climate or have a good humidifier anyway.

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I figured the same thing, between the cat, she says she has a humidifier, and what about rubbing? Idk it just does not seem like a safe environment for a bp. They like those small tight spaces, how in the heck do you section off this huge 100 gallon mesh thing meant for a totally different kind of reptile to seem "smaller"? lol IMO you'd be better off getting a tub, I'd even recommend a tank over that.....

I can see into the future...one of the next posts would be "my cat cut a hole while I was gone and now my bp is missing...." I can see it now.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

He/she doesn't have a tank, it's one of those huge mesh enclosures for chams....there's no way a bp can be kept in those right?? I thought the same thing until I googled "reptarium" lol

I'm not wrong in thinking not only is it unsafe with other pets in the house but how could it possibly hold humidity? Unless he/she lives in New Mexico the humidity inside the house can't be that high?

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OH pooo, I was stuck on glass.............not a screen house.:oops: That would be a no go.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

OH pooo, I was stuck on glass.............not a screen house.:oops: That would be a no go.

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Thank god! I was hoping I wasn't bashing this enclosure for no reason lol. The cat knows she gets sprayed when you're there....are you going to be in the same room as this bp 24/7? And what about at night when your sleeping? As soon as she sees that bp move around at night she is definitely going to investigate. Bps can fit through tight spaces and can easily escape a small hole in that enclosure.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Thank god! I was hoping I wasn't bashing this enclosure for no reason lol. The cat knows she gets sprayed when you're there....are you going to be in the same room as this bp 24/7? And what about at night when your sleeping? As soon as she sees that bp move around at night she is definitely going to investigate. Bps can fit through tight spaces and can easily escape a small hole in that enclosure.

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No, but I'll be in there when my cat's in there. Btw, anyone know how much I could sell the Reptarium for?

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Originally Posted by pianoflute2

No, but I'll be in there when my cat's in there. Btw, anyone know how much I could sell the Reptarium for?

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I'd say you can easily get $50.00-$75.00 for it, depending on if it was ever used before?

Even if kitty can't slice a hole...mine take running leaps and cling to whatever they grab. She could easily pull the cage over, spiling water, stressing the snake, and keeping it from reaching the UTH. If you have a lamp, that lamp is now on the floor and either reachable by the snake or burning a hole in your floor...possibly both.

The mesh won't hold any heat at all and humidifier or not, that bulb will zap humidity in the area it covers.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

I'd say you can easily get $50.00-$75.00 for it, depending on if it was ever used before?

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My little sister used it for raising butterflies. I just looked on Ebay and the max it seems to go for is $75. And what size tank should I get? 20 gallon? Maybe?

If you are going to get the tank I'd suggest a 20 gallon long. You will need a UTH for it on one side, a thermostat for the UTH (you can find decent cheap ones online) or a rheostat. Two identical hides, one for each side, a water dish, and then decorate as you like. I also use black Con-tact paper to cover the back and sides of the tank...helps them feel more secure. You will also need to cover about 2/3 of the top of the screen top to hold in humidity and heat better. You can probably get all of that for under $100 if you shop wisely. A digital thermometer at the very least with probes to measure temps.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

If you are going to get the tank I'd suggest a 20 gallon long. You will need a UTH for it on one side, a thermostat for the UTH (you can find decent cheap ones online) or a rheostat. Two identical hides, one for each side, a water dish, and then decorate as you like. I also use black Con-tact paper to cover the back and sides of the tank...helps them feel more secure. You will also need to cover about 2/3 of the top of the screen top to hold in humidity and heat better. You can probably get all of that for under $100 if you shop wisely. A digital thermometer at the very least with probes to measure temps.

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Thanks. Looks like I'm going shopping!!!!

http://i54.tinypic.com/j5yrtj.jpg
Here is my one and only tank, I have a rack and tubs for all my others. Just take out the hide on the left (I got a second one like the dome one to match), the lamp on top (because I quickly realized it hills humidity), and the second water dish on the left. I also add a humidity hide when I see he's ready to go into shed to bump up the humidity for him. Notice the blacked out sides and back, they really like that.

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Originally Posted by pianoflute2

Thanks. Looks like I'm going shopping!!!!

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Its so nice to see someone take the advice given instead of charging on with a bad plan. :) sounds like snakey will have a good keeper!

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Originally Posted by LGray23

http://i54.tinypic.com/j5yrtj.jpg
Here is my one and only tank, I have a rack and tubs for all my others. Just take out the hide on the left (I got a second one like the dome one to match), the lamp on top (because I quickly realized it hills humidity), and the second water dish on the left. I also add a humidity hide when I see he's ready to go into shed to bump up the humidity for him. Notice the blacked out sides and back, they really like that.

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Thanks :) I'm gonna head to the pet store when my mom gets home. Oh, and my cat (Bear) says thank you. Now she has more room to play.

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Originally Posted by MissDizzyBee

Its so nice to see someone take the advice given instead of charging on with a bad plan. :) sounds like snakey will have a good keeper!

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I want snakey to be safe and happy!!! I've even found a good exotic vet!

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Originally Posted by pianoflute2

anyone know how much I could sell the Reptarium for?

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You might try going to one of you "mom and pop" pet stores and see if they might trade you out for some stuff;)

Hahaha, oh and I only have those analog guages on the side for my guy to climb on...they do not measure temps or humidity correctly. This is what my tank looked like PRIOR to finding this website, so you're already ahead of the game...good luck :D

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

You might try going to one of you "mom and pop" pet stores and see if they might trade you out for some stuff;)

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I'm getting my BP at one of those.... That's a great idea!!!! :D Thank you!!

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Originally Posted by pianoflute2

I'm getting my BP at one of those.... That's a great idea!!!! :D Thank you!!

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I have one here that I trade back and forth with. I think I have traded the same tank about 3 or 4 times now:oops::D

Thank you guys all so much!!! I've been searching the internet all over asking about the Reptarium and this is the first place I've actually gotten a real answer. If I had a cord to hook my cell phone up to my computer I'd show you a picture of me holding the BP that I just fell in love with!! I shall try to find a way..... :)

A lot of times you can pick up a leaker tank for free or next to nothing on Craigslist, Freecycle, or at a pet store. Most of them leak from the seams, and if you can't feel anything sharp on the inside, you can go over the seams with aquarium sealer and it will be fine for snakes.

That is what my snakes lived in before I got my rack. I had no problems with them and I don't think I spent over 10 bucks for any of the aquariums, and some I got for free. The rack is a lot nice in terms of being easy to clean, but a well set up leaker tank can be a good snake home.

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Originally Posted by pianoflute2

Thank you guys all so much!!! I've been searching the internet all over asking about the Reptarium and this is the first place I've actually gotten a real answer. If I had a cord to hook my cell phone up to my computer I'd show you a picture of me holding the BP that I just fell in love with!! I shall try to find a way..... :)

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You could always......

send the picture in a text form to your email address (it works for me) then go to your email and save the picture onto your computer. Then go to photobucket.com or tinypic.com and upload the picture and copy and paste the IMG link onto here so we can all see this baby :D

<sigh> I type too fast lol.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&i...disp=inline&zw
Let's see if that worked!!
Ooh, thanks Redneck_Crow!!

YAY!!! IT WORKED!!!

Plus imagine if your bp took a big poop through all that mesh! Eww!

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Originally Posted by pianoflute2

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&i...disp=inline&zw
Let's see if that worked!!
Ooh, thanks Redneck_Crow!!

YAY!!! IT WORKED!!!

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Actually I think it only worked for you because you were logged into your email account at the time you posted. Try saving the picture and loading it to a picture sharing site

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6280156...n/photostream/ Does that link work?

Yes it worked....very cute! LOVE the purple hair too haha. :D

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Yes it worked....very cute! LOVE the purple hair too haha. :D

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Thanks!! :)

Sorry for the double post, but I went to PetSmart and this http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=4070849 is what I found. Will that work? I'm getting rid of that Reptarium. The snake starter kit comes with what seems to be everything I need for my new snake.

The tank is nice, the hide will work for a while, and the bedding is ok.
You wont need both lights, the water bowl is a joke, and you will still need a heat mat and thermostat.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

The tank is nice, the hide will work for a while, and the bedding is ok.
You wont need both lights, the water bowl is a joke, and you will still need a heat mat and thermostat.

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Agreed, you would be better off buying the things you need separately and not getting the things you don't need...like the lamps and crappy water dish lol. You can easily find a tank with screen on craigslist for dirt cheap. The rest you can buy online or that ma and pa shop, and you'll need the UTH and thermostat like pit said.

Ok, Well, I found a large water dish that I like. Will the large http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=2752561 of that work? For the UTH?

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Originally Posted by pianoflute2

Ok, Well, I found a large water dish that I like. Will the large http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=2752561 of that work? For the UTH?

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I am not familiar with that heat source so I cannot help you there.
Walmart carries ceramic dog bowl for like $6 that work great. You are going to be a snake owner so now you have to develop "the eye"!!

The Eye= you see a snake hide from an everyday item that can have a doorway cut in it and a water dish out of anything that will hold water and NOT tip:P:P:P

I used this one (small or med...no larger) for my tank
http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=2752652
And it's cheaper than the one you just posted.

As for a thermostat to regulate it, it depends on how much you want to spend. I'd go with this (temporarily, until you can ave up more money)
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...5222706&sr=8-1

And get one of these eventually:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco-etc-111000-pre-wired
http://www.reptilebasics.com/johnson...stat-pre-wired
(I have this one I LOVE IT) http://www.coldbloodedsupply.com/pro...-SHIPPING.html
http://www.helixcontrols.com/DBS1000.htm

or
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ve-100
These go from cheapest to most expensive (except the last one)

Good luck! :)

I just can't stress enough how hot these UTHs get...you should get some sort of thermostat, that first one at the very least. I have used that one and it's okay so far....but will upgrade eventually.

OH OH OH also, if you have facebook, add Ben Siegal Reptiles, he has these daily deals and one I literally just saw is my favorite temp gun shipped for $26.
http://tempgun.com/products/pe2/
With only one snake you can get away with digital thermometers, but I <3 my temp gun lol

I quit using mats except on my QT tanks, everything else gets 11" flex-watt cut to needed sizing;)

Ooh, ok!! Thanks!! :) I think I may already have 'the eye' my new snakey's hides are garden pots that I cleaned and put holes in! And there are TONS of things that I could use for a water bowl... Imma go water bowl searching in my house now!!! You guys are wonderful!!! :bow: I do not know what I would do without you!!!! Oh, PitOnTheProwl, what do you use instead of the UTH?

He (and I use on my racks) use Flexwatt heat tape...

http://www.reptilebasics.com/flexwatt-heat-tape

This NEEDS a thermostat as well... :D

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Originally Posted by LGray23

He (and I use on my racks) use Flexwatt heat tape...

http://www.reptilebasics.com/flexwatt-heat-tape

This NEEDS a thermostat as well... :D

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Ok, cool!! I shall be picking up a thermostat!! :)

If you order the T-stat from RB you might as well just order the flex-watt too, if you are using a 20L tank then all you need is a foot of 11" and I think they will even build it for you (install power cord)

Looks like I'm getting the snake at the end of this month.

this is my set up

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...sy247/nyx1.jpg

and this consists of

a visionarium (creativepet.com)
cage lock w/ 2 keys (LLLreptile.com)
aquarium background (reptilesupply.com, i think)
2 small hide boxes (reptilebasics.com)
2 flukers corner water bowls (reptilesupply.com)
hagen heat wave desert heat pad (given to me)
repti temp 500r thermostat (reptilesupply.com)
exo terra forest bark (reptilesupply.com)
accu-rite digital thermometer/hygrometer (given to me)
the accu-rite is mounted to the glass with a 2" x 4" piece of velcro (lowes)

and the snake is a female mojave from none other then our good 'ol frankie here (fat boys ball pythons)

Exciting new update!!! :D I am getting my snakey within a week!! He's been paid in full and they sexed him. He is a he!! I'm so happy!!!!!