New Ball Python owner

Yes, another one of those threads..

I've read a few threads on here, learned a few new things, such as..

- wet towel for shed problems

- don't put in bath before/during shed, as it can wash off the oils

- don't hold your snake too much, unless he/she is OK with it

- a wet towel over the tank helps keep the humidity level up (works for me, thanks whoever mentioned that.)

Anyways, my new addition to the family is pretty cool. I'm not sure on the sex yet, I imagine I would have to take it to a vet for that. I named him/her Sam, that way it has a unisex name, so I can't be right or wrong. Sam seems to like being held so far, doesn't jerk it's head side-to-side, doesn't try to get away quickly, just slides in and out between my fingers, or will interrupt my typing and slide on top of my laptop keyboard and just rest (imagine the heat from the battery feels good)

I have put a picture of Sam's living arrangements. Please feel free to critique it, give advice, etc. He/She has a warm side that stays between 84-86, and a cool side that is 78-80. A deep water bowl under the light, which helps the humidity levels, and two identical hides. Is it true that all hides have to be identical?

http://i46.tinypic.com/2vxhrvl.jpg

And a picture of Sam

http://s3.amazonaws.com/com.clixtr.p...c/r600x600.jpg

id advise to get a digital thermometer, hygrometer the dial ones can be really inaccurate.
my hot side is around 88-92 and my low side from 75-80,

i have never used a heat lamp not sure what they are like, i am sure way more people will give you advice on certain things etc..

make sure you dont cover the whole top with wet towels, the air flow needs to be good!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SRMD94

id advise to get a digital thermometer, hygrometer the dial ones can be really inaccurate.
my hot side is around 88-92 and my low side from 75-80,

i have never used a heat lamp not sure what they are like, i am sure way more people will give you advice on certain things etc..

---

I have one of those. I just have that in the middle to read the humidity levels. That white cord on the far right side is the digital for the hot side. I also have a gun that I can use also to read the temps. I've been using that for my leopard gecko set-up.

1.Black out the rear and sides of the tank, they feel more secure that way.
2.Half logs are not ideal, a fully enclosed type of hide with an entrance better suites the privacy thirsty ball python.
3.The thermometer on the glass doesn't do much good. Walmart sells an acurite digital thermometer and hygometer in one for like $8.
4.Hot side should be 90-92, your cool side is good.

How do you heat the warm side, under tank heater? Have a quality thermostat on it? If you don't it's a must.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brent

1.Black out the rear and sides of the tank, they feel more secure that way.
2.Half logs are not ideal, a fully enclosed type of hide with an entrance better suites the privacy thirsty ball python.
3.The thermometer on the glass doesn't do much good. Walmart sells an acurite digital thermometer and hygometer in one for like $8.
4.Hot side should be 90-92, your cool side is good.

How do you heat the warm side, under tank heater? Have a quality thermostat on it? If you don't it's a must.

---

x2 to that ^^

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brent

1.Black out the rear and sides of the tank, they feel more secure that way.
2.Half logs are not ideal, a fully enclosed type of hide with an entrance better suites the privacy thirsty ball python.
3.The thermometer on the glass doesn't do much good. Walmart sells an acurite digital thermometer and hygometer in one for like $8.
4.Hot side should be 90-92, your cool side is good.

How do you heat the warm side, under tank heater? Have a quality thermostat on it? If you don't it's a must.

---

1. I'll do that today. Should I just use black paper? Or can it be like a desert/forest background?

2. Yeah, the half log is just in there. I was thinking about taking it out. I was also looking at this for a hide. What do you think?
https://www.reptmart.com/p-1286-exo-...-for-sale.aspx

3. I only use that to read the humidity level. I have a digital attached, but you can't see it.

4. Ok, I'll get the heat up some more. The book I bought said 85-90.

5. I do use an under tank heater, plus it's naturally warm in my room too. That's what side (the hot side) is the digital thermostat on. You can see the white cord on the far right side.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bushido

1. I'll do that today. Should I just use black paper? Or can it be like a desert/forest background?

2. Yeah, the half log is just in there. I was thinking about taking it out. I was also looking at this for a hide. What do you think?
https://www.reptmart.com/p-1286-exo-...-for-sale.aspx

3. I only use that to read the humidity level. I have a digital attached, but you can't see it.

4. Ok, I'll get the heat up some more. The book I bought said 85-90.

5. I do use an under tank heater, plus it's naturally warm in my room too. That's what side (the hot side) is the digital thermostat on. You can see the white cord on the far right side.

---

yes that cave is fine but is your snake that big? your snake looks the same size as mine and i use small exo terra caves, they like small places!, btw do you know that heat lamps kill humidity youd be fine just using a heat mat with a thermostat.

read through this:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Thermometers

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SRMD94

yes that cave is fine but is your snake that big? your snake looks the same size as mine and i use small exo terra caves, they like small places!, btw do you know that heat lamps kill humidity youd be fine just using a heat mat with a thermostat.

read through this:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Thermometers

---

I was just using that as an example. They do have smaller sizes.

What do you use as a source of light? Just the regular lamp/light in the room? I do have plenty of red bulbs that the link suggested. Even have some blue bulbs.

Thanks for the link, some helpful info in there. I may try heat panels when it's time to move into the big boy tank.

Feeding..

I have frozen pinkies. Do you thaw them out first? or do you feed them while they're frozen?

Thaw them out! Never feed frozen pinkies. It's detrimental to their health. However, I doubt most of them will take an unthawed pinky.

Put the pinky in a ziploc bag and put in in hot water. Not scalding though.

What about hides?

Do they have to be identical?

I've never heard of hides having to be identical. They just have to be able to accommodate the size of your snake, so don't get one that's small.

yea hides have to be identical and to reply to your other post, i just use the natural light in my room for the light source.

im pretty sure if the hides are not identical then the snake will be more stressed but im not sure i have heard that you should use identical ones a lot

and what i do with my frozen rodents is leave them out in the same room as the snake, then use a hairdryer once they are fully thawed.. and hair dry the scent of the rodent towards the snake, when i do this my snake is in hunt mode and then just snaps the rodent up in seconds.

Oh, my apologies then. Sorry about giving misguided info when it came to the hides for the snakes.

Hides do not need to be identical.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bushido

1. I'll do that today. Should I just use black paper? Or can it be like a desert/forest background?

2. Yeah, the half log is just in there. I was thinking about taking it out. I was also looking at this for a hide. What do you think?
https://www.reptmart.com/p-1286-exo-...-for-sale.aspx

3. I only use that to read the humidity level. I have a digital attached, but you can't see it.

4. Ok, I'll get the heat up some more. The book I bought said 85-90.

5. I do use an under tank heater, plus it's naturally warm in my room too. That's what side (the hot side) is the digital thermostat on. You can see the white cord on the far right side.

---

1.I used a rainforest peel and stick, applied it with water and squeegee. Petsmart or Petco has it.
2.I would use a hide where the entrance is on the ground, the one in your photo looks like a roof entrance. Petsmart or Petco has it.

Also, I failed to notice that your heat lamp is giving off light, no good. Go get a (CHE) ceramic heat emmiter bulb, they heat the tank but supply no light, which is good since your BP is fine by the window day cycle. A 60 watt would work, and I know Petco/Petsmart carries the black dome like in your photo that has a dimmer on it. Brand name is Flukers.