So what about heating?

Geting a ball python. Do i need a heat mat aaand a light? If im using tuperware style cage setup how would i do lamp on that? If just a mat what brand is good? Getting all set up, than more reading up, than getn a baby ball python :)

If you plan on using a tub then no lamp is needed. Just a under tank heater or flexwatt. I use flexwatt that i bought from Reptile Basics. If you use an uth or flexwatt you need a thermostat to control the temps too.

It depends on how cold your room is. Heat mats only heat the floor of the cage. This means if you room is below 75 degrees you might also need a heat lamp.

Heat mats must be regulated by a thermostat. Without one the heat mat can (and will) get hot enough to kill your snake.

Just some advice, the stuff sold at pet stores (and this includes the snakes as well) are overpriced and of low quality. This is espicially true with the thermostats they sell.

Here are 2 good ones:

The hydrofarm, sold on amazon for $30 these will work but lack the accuracy and safety features of better thermostats. These should be replaced with a better thermostat when possible.

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

The Herpstat, these are the best but start at $99. They have multiple safety features and are very accurate.

http://spyderrobotics.com/


There are many good breeders that will ship a snake right to your door. Not only will these breeders have more/better snakes, but they are sold at what they are actually worth. (most breeders sites only have morphs listed. If you call/email them they usually have normals that are much cheaper

Wow thanks for the fast reply.
I understand the pet store scenario 100% as home depot and walmart products are cheaper, and better in my many mnay fish aquariums. (I have 4 heavy planted biome style tanks with varying difficulties of fish, so understanding other life and homeiostasis is no issue)
My rooms is usually around 75 80, maybe a bit cooler, but if just a bit would the mat be ok?
Do the therms keep the temp. Regulated, or do i just need to keep an eye out for the temp?
If i wanted a heat lamp, how to go about that in rubbermaid, or should i just start with a glass aquarium?
My snake will be as close to newborn as possible, as iw ant it to know me and only me as its super buddy :) :D
Ive got a 10gal glass, but am open to getting bigger, and plan on eventually droping him in a 75 gal in just a few months (over kill, but i want him happy, not just comfortable!)
Im mad excited, and i know i want a lap snake, like a ball python.
Any other lap snakes like this?
Am i over looking somthing silly
Thermometers, heat pads, cage, humidity..
If i go glass, how much misting would i take to keep my snake hydrated. Could i just put a water dish near heat source?
Thanks for the speedy replies

Stay as far away from glass tanks as possible, tubs or PVC cages are the way to go.

Here is a thread on tubs:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...Basics...*DUW*

Here is a thread on PVC cages:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

Thermostats and thermometers are different, a thermometer measures temperature and a thermostat regulates temperature.

You need both. I've already recommended good thermostats do here is a good thermometer.

These are sold at Walmart for $12 and measure 2 temperatures and humidity.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...nt/photo-3.jpg

Glass is a pain in the....well, you get the idea.

Ive got the thermometer and humidity reader, it was 15 at my wallyworld, but still cheaper than petstore crap.
Ive already got extra glass tanks, and run a pretty hefty maintenince cycle to keep these regulated, so if it is just a matter of humidity, and mister 3 or 4 times a day, ill already be in the fun room. What elae is wrong with glass?

Glass tanks are hard to maintain the proper temperatures and humidity in. They are designed for fish not reptiles, they are to open and can stress out a snake. This can all be worked around but by the time you get the tank set up you have spent far more time and money vs a tub or PVC cage set up. I prefer PVC cages because they are easy to maintain and also allow good viewing.

The larger the glass tank is the harder it will be to maintain. A 10 gallon isn't too bad but a 40 gallon is another story.

This is what I use:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/c22733cf.jpg

Well, i figured a hatchling ball python wouldnt need a huge heat source, and id deff. Be putting in a much larger enclosure when my leaae is up and im free to move, but until then, the 10 would be convienient. Would a hatchling. Be ok with mulch, and a few hideaways, maybe an extra or two, until we can get into a rubbermaid. I suppose i could get the container, as i have both time and money, but i figured a baby ball would be less ok with handling vs a larger one, so this way i could still check em out every so often.

I guess my question, what exactly maintinence wise am i looking at with a 10gal glass, simply because ive got one.
Again this is 2 months temporary housing until my lease is up, than i would like to make a big custom cage for him.

Also, amles vs females

Yes, I started out with 10 gluon tanks. a 10 gallon will last a few months at the least before they outgrow it (really depends on the growth rate of the BP) keep in mind if you are using a UTH the substrate layer needs to be 1/2" thick or less for the UTH to be able to do it's job. I prefer to use paper towels or corrugated wrap in my cages it makes cleaning much easier. (newspaper is also good). Don't use Cedar or Pine mulch in the cage as they have a chemical in them that is toxic to snakes (pine is ok if it is kiln dried) Aspen, Cypress, are the most commonly used. If you only have 1 BP I would just buy it from the petstore. it is much safer that way (though costs a little more) coco-husk is also a good choice (Eco-Earth is a name brand)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by serpent fan

I guess my question, what exactly maintinence wise am i looking at with a 10gal glass, simply because ive got one.
Again this is 2 months temporary housing until my lease is up, than i would like to make a big custom cage for him.

Also, amles vs females

---

Females get bigger than males but that is the only difference.

You will need to make sure that the temperatures are correct, a probed thermometer and thermostat will make this very easy. you will need to make sure that the humidity is between 40%-60% normally and 60%-80% during shed. this is the hard part, but can be done. you will have to mist the cage a few times a day.

Here is a good site that sells reptile supplies. I highly recommend the hide boxes they sell:

http://reptilebasics.com/

If you build your own cage i would recommend that you find somewhere that sells sheets of PVC or another plastic as wood cages tend to have difficulty with the humidity that the cages need to be kept at. (they also don't hold in heat as well)

Wow thanks everyone.
So to clear. My friend has a snake, i have none as of just yet :)
Checking the site now.
So ill probobly go with ut heatmat of some sort.
I will deff. Look into pvc for a tank when im outa my apt. But if i cant get away with a 10 gal and a mist bottle, i dont mind. Is there any sort of easier way to go about humidity (auto humidor for snakes?)

I have used humidifiers in the past. they require weekly maintenance if they run a lot.

there are also misting systems. Here is a good one that I am currently using in my cages.

http://www.mistking.com/

Overkill for a 10 gallon but whatever works right?

I use the mist king system along with my herpstat 4 (thermostat/humidity controller/lighting controller) the herpstat has a humidity sensor and the mist king pump plugs into the herpstat. when the humidity gets below a certain % the herpstat turns the pump on and it mists the cages. (I only have to run this system when I have a snake in shed as my cages stay about 60% humidity naturally.

Hmm maybe a spray bottle and vigilance for now...college paychecks here haha

This is off topic but...

If I were to get a single snake to keep as a pet I would not get a ball python. I would go with a boa constrictor, carpet python or woma.

Balls are great but their feeding problems do get annoying. If its your first snake you probably want to handle it alot and since balls are pretty nervous compared to alot of other boas/pythons its not the optimal choice.

From my reading, that shouldnt be a huge issue if i get from a hatchling, and acclinate him to handling over time. Ive got experience with pets, reps, but not snakes, but im incredibly patient, and have the time to be patient.

Also, the fact balls tend to ball up vs strike is nice.
Im aware of the feeding issues that may happen, but i feel a ball wpuld be what im looking for

If you have taken other snakes into consideration and still want a ball, you should get one. But be aware of the feeding issues that may arise! As for the balling up, some balls do others prefer biting! It all comes down to the personality of the snake.

I have 8 balls atm and only one of them is a biter, but I do keep handling to a minimum. I have a carpet (mcdowelli) which is kinda my pet snake. She has never even hissed at me, although baby carpets have a reputation of being little :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:s.

Anyways, good luck to you:)