brand new bp owner please help

Hello everyone
Today I got my first bp for my birthday at a reptile show Iam so stressed trying to get the temps just right to get him comfortable.. what exactly is the correct temps for hot side? I have heard and read 85 then I heard 95! Iam so confusei have done some research before buying I only have three corns plus him now I just want him to be ok and happy also I have. A heat pad on hot side plugged into a zoomed thermostat and a digital thermometer
Any advice is much appreciated thanks

90-94 hot side

Much of the advice that I have gotten from this site suggest 88-92 for a hot spot :)

Welcome to the site!

Hot side needs to be between 88-92 degrees, and the cool side needs to be between 78-82 degrees.

Give this a read: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

I will also add that no part of the cage should ever get below 75 or above 95 degrees.

Do your thermometers have probes?

Also Under tank heating pads do not affect the air temperature in the cage so you need to keep that in mind.

i used to use that zoo med thermostat and it fried out and was about 5 seconds from lighting on fire until i ripped it out of the wall...i would try and get something else asap

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Originally Posted by warlord

i used to use that zoo med thermostat and it fried out and was about 5 seconds from lighting on fire until i ripped it out of the wall...i would try and get something else asap

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I agree, they aren't very good, none of the thermostats sold at pet stores are much good.

I suggest that you get one of these:

The hydrofarm, sold on amazon for $30. These are better than what you have, but should be replaced when possible.

The Herpstat, sold by spyder robotics. Entry models are $99 but there are more costly models as well with additional features. These are the best you can get and will last the rest of your snakes life.

Hydrofarm: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NZ..._bxgy_ol_img_b

Herpstat: http://spyderrobotics.com/

Take a deep breath and relax. While Ball Pythons have stricter requirements than Corns, they are fairly easy to maintain. Stressing about it will only make you crazy. Congratulations on your first BP and Happy Birthday...

Thanks everyone..
As for the thermometers yes it has probes also I only seen the zoo med brands at the shows and stores but I will look to get one as soon as I can .. so another question I'm sorry if its dumb but I know its a boy normal bp and I also noticed the spurs on him and tail end seems bloated like needs to poop is it normal to see these spurs and will they always be like that

It is completely normal to see spurs. Pythons are very different from corn snakes.

You can't get a good thermostat in a store unfornatly, some reptile speciality stores have them, but they are rare. You pretty much have to order them online. (that's why I put the links to where you can get them in my post about them )

Herpstat is great thermastat. 88-92 for hot side. Flexwatt works great. Make sure you have two identical hides is ideal. Reptile Basics is a good place to get supplies, and Rich is great. Corns are different than bps. I have actually found I enjoy bps more than Corns now. The caresheet on here that Aaron suggested is a great source of info. So are all the great members of this forum. Happy Birthday and enjoy your ball!

Well now it has been several hours and still Iam nervous this is my new baby so I keep checking on him I went into the room and just seen like literally the biggest snake poo
And also seen him do a quick yawn twice now what could this mean? Should I be worried ( about the yawning) ? I'm a lil concerned about that I just know of my corns going that only if they're getting ready to shed or have just ate and I know this guy has recently ate last Mon and recently shedd

some BP's yawn, normally it isn't a big deal, but it can be caused by a RI (respiratory infection) as long as you don't see any mucus or hear any wheezing/popping noises then there is nothing wrong.

Mine will yawn from time to time. It's very cute. Usually after a meal to realign their jaw as well. If its just a yawn, no mucous, I wouldn't worry. I think there might have even been a picture thread on here once of pictures people caught of their bps yawning.

getting your first ball python can be very stressful at times, it was for me too. But a couple things to think of are: 1. what room are they being kept in? because for me, i am above a garage so it gets very cold in the winter and very hot in the summer. So along with a heating pad, a good thermostat is a big deal. 2. look at where your snake tends to lay in the cage. if it is always on the hot side, it might be too cold in other places, and if it is always on the cool side or soaking in water, it might be too hot. Just remember, not every ball python will be exactly like the ones you read about so you will most likely learn something new each day. Enjoy your ball python! :)

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Originally Posted by Snake_Tooth

getting your first ball python can be very stressful at times, it was for me too. But a couple things to think of are: 1. what room are they being kept in? because for me, i am above a garage so it gets very cold in the winter and very hot in the summer. So along with a heating pad, a good thermostat is a big deal. 2. look at where your snake tends to lay in the cage. if it is always on the hot side, it might be too cold in other places, and if it is always on the cool side or soaking in water, it might be too hot. Just remember, not every ball python will be exactly like the ones you read about so you will most likely learn something new each day. Enjoy your ball python! :)

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Why is your BP in the garage? I have seen far too many BP's die because they are being kept in a garage. that is unless it is a climate controlled garage.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Why is your BP in the garage? I have seen far too many BP's die because they are being kept in a garage. that is unless it is a climate controlled garage.

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reread his post, above the garage :)

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

reread his post, above the garage :)

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ah yes, that makes a big difference lol please disregard my last post

To the OP: all of the advice you have been given is good so far. I dont really have anything to add except reiterate the fact that a good quality thermostat is one of the best investments you will make with keeping snakes. Its not worth the risk of losing your pet or having them severly injured. Other than that it sounds like youre doing a good job!

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

reread his post, above the garage :)

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Haha yes, no worries my babies are being kept in a heated/air conditioned room. I just happen to have the room above the garage so i take extra care to make sure their temps will make them comfortable:)

Thank you all for the great advice I'm just a worry wort by nature and with my kids so this guy is no exception... As for the thermostat Iam certainly going to get the better one . Thanks again