Newbie to the Snake world- Baby Ball python

Hi everyone~

Brand new here and to the snake world in general. In short we just picked up our ball python. Its our "daughters"- after researching many little critters and pets (we already have a dog and cats) She originally wanted a hamster, but after our research, we have arrived at the other end of the food chain :)

I won't lie, im a little nervous about the new family member. well, not the snake itself, but i've had cats, dogs,birds, rabbits, hamsters, etc. Just never a snake or any reptile. So I want to make sure we do it right.

Our biggest issue so far (& not really an "issue") but its regulating the temp of her terrarium and what are the proper methods of heat and light?. Day vs. night, etc? It seems there is a wide variety of opinions on this issue.
Im very happy to have found this group and to hear what experienced snake owners have to say.

Any other info. for a new BP owner would be GREATLY appreciated. As I said, we just want to make this the best experience for the snake as well as our family.

Thanks!
Lisa

PS. BTW, our little BP seems to have the best personality. Not sure what is "typical", but Others we looked at just coiled up at first. But this one was cruising all over my daughters hands and arms from the beginning. She seems to adjusted to her new home real well :)

Hi. Welcome to the site. I have had my little girl for only 6mnths and she's my first also so I'm no expert but after months of trial and error I finely have her glass vivarium regulated. The best advice I got was to insulate 3 sides and the top. Lot's of different ways to do that but what I used was black foam board, high heat duct tape, and decorative cling for esthetics. Here's how it's done.

1. Measure and cut the foam board to fit the 2 sides, back, and top of the tank. Cut a hole in the top piece for your light and a couple of smaller holes for air.

2. Cover 1 side of all these pieces with the duct tape.

3. Place the decorative cling on the glass and the foam board behind it, duct taped side against the cling and facing down on top.

4. I used black duct tape to secure it all in place.

Once it's insulated use a UTH pad with a thermostat for regulating heat. Use a temp/hum meter with a probe for measuring levels and I place a small bowl of water on the warm side of the tank to raise the humidity. Plus I use coco substrate because it holds moisture longer.

It's a lot of initial work but it's much easier to maintain temp/hum levels and it looks great. Here's a picture of mine.

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/...BaloosHome.jpg

What thermostat do you have controlling the temps? Also what heating element are you using? a light or an undertank heater?
The very basic is all your snake needs. Two tight fitting identical hides, one on the hot side and one on the cold side. A water bowl and substrate. Thats all it needs in the tank. Anything else extra you choose to add is up to you! :)

Thanks enchantress62- took me a couple times reading, but I figured out what you did with the foam core. :) I have never seen that method in all my reading.
Thanks for the welcome & sharing your ideas. Your tank looks great :)

Mike- the current "thermostat" is "Me" :) Thats the next purchase, but again- looking for advice on thermostats and timers. What ones are good and whats junk? We have lamps and UTH. Bulbs were way too warm at first- we changed them out and now it seems perfect. Its about 85-90 on warm side during the day and cooler a bit cooler at night.

I've heard/read- "no need for special lights"- "yes need for special lights"- "Day light in room is enough if tank is warm enough"- "Use ceramic heat emitters- dont use them" "Need night light/ dont need one" So much contradiction my heads beginning to hurt. ha ha. Im just happy to have found this group. I've been reading through a number of posts and finding lots of useful info.

As for Substrate... what is the Fave around here? I've heard many different stories on this topic as well.

As for the basics, yes we are covered in that area. "Warm side and cool side, 2 hide outs, water bowl, substrate, and a nice log and greens for decorations that she seems to love to explore" she's been very active already. And I swear she comes to the glass to see us or the top, when we come in the room.

Thanks again!

I like eco-earth great for humidity

Welcome to BP.net!!!! Good to have you here.

Please take a look at the care sheets and the stickys about proper set up for either glass tanks or tubs.

Look forward to seeing you around the forums.

Hello. I'm a brand new ball python owner too! Just got my little guy this last Sunday. The temperature in my vivarium has also been my biggest concern. I just got higher wattage bulbs today, and even though they definitely produce more heat I think my tank may be too small for so much because it went up to like 94F on my hot side. There is so many contradicting opinions on the subject, but like you I seemed to find some good advice from this group. One thing I will say concerning thermostats is to opt for the electronic one with a probe. It's more accurate than the little dinky ones. Good luck with your new addition!

There is a difference between a thermostat and a themometer a fact that I didn't understand at first. The thermostat is something you plug your UTH into so you can control the heat it puts out. The themometer measures the temp in the tank. As for the substrate most people on here will suggest using coconut sub, which you can buy at Petsmart and Petco. I mix mine with regular reptile substrate but then I'm into the esthetics as well as the functional aspect.

Another thing I've learned in the last few months is that activity is not a sign of happiness with bp's it's a sign of stress. After getting advice in here I started paying attention to my girl's behavior and learned that when she's happy she hides all the time, only coming out if she's too warm, too cold, or hungry.

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Originally Posted by enchantress62

Another thing I've learned in the last few months is that activity is not a sign of happiness with bp's it's a sign of stress. After getting advice in here I started paying attention to my girl's behavior and learned that when she's happy she hides all the time, only coming out if she's too warm, too cold, or hungry.

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Funny you should say that, I JUST said to my husband- "she appears happy, but for all we know, thats a sign of stress for her to be so active" :) She seems to keep busy for a while, then goes to sleep, then wakes and "roams around" again, then sleeps. Tonight she was in a hideout for the first time! We were thinking it was odd she seem to rather sleep under some of the greens or behind her hideout & against a wall.

THANKS to all of you for the replies. I have read the Care sheets & stickies. I really appreciate the info. and tips. Keep them coming :)

do you have an accurate digital thermometer? If not, that is definitely something that you should look into.

Get on amazon.com and look up a hydro farm thermostat. They are around $30 and work just fine! Congrats on the new pickup btw! I use aspen bedding because it's super cheap and holds humidity a little better than paper towns. Be sure to check out the care sheet do you know what to set the under tank heater and humidity levels.


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Originally Posted by pigfat

Get on amazon.com and look up a hydro farm thermostat. They are around $30 and work just fine! Congrats on the new pickup btw! I use aspen bedding because it's super cheap and holds humidity a little better than paper towns. Be sure to check out the care sheet do you know what to set the under tank heater and humidity levels.

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Thanks Joe for the tip on the hydro Farm Thermostat. I will order that today, unless anyone knows of a place I can pick up a thermostat locally? Home Improvement store, Walmart, Pet Stores??

Yes brobertson- I have a thermometer- but going to pick up a better digital one tomorrow. It seems the "poplular" one around here is the Accu-rite with probe that everyone says I can get at Walmart?

Thanks again for the help!

Most local places don't really carry thermostats okay for snakes. You're going to have to get it online, but you could call around to pet stores that carry reptiles and ask. Don't bother with Petsmart or Petco or anywhere because they /don't/ carry them and if they do carry a ZooMed Rheostat it's more than useless for a BP. I had one and couldn't get the temps below 100 degrees.

And yes, the Acurite thermometer is popular because it's not expensive and works really well. Make sure it shows indoor and outdoor temps and humidity. Indoor for ambient, outdoor with the probe for your hot side, and humidity for... humidity.