New ball python help?

Hello a couple days ago i got my first ball python so i need some help. He is 440 grams and about 3feet long. The previous owner was feeding him a medium - large mouse every two weeks but I was wondering if I could switch him over to frozen rats. Im not really sure what to do about this situation. Also I only have a 10 gallon tank so it cant fit much. I know im suppose to have 2 hides one in the heat and one out of the heat but for right now I only have one hide above the heat pad and hes always under that on the right of the tank i have his water bowl. There isnt room for anything else. What should I do about this? Lastly I need to get some type of thermostat for the heat pad. I dont have much money so i need a cheaper one. Can someone help me with a good cheap thermostat link or tell me which type to buy? THANK YOU

OK, so, as I learned when I 1st got into this not long ago, you can't really go tooooo cheap on stuff like a thermostat. I did get the hydrofarm thermostat off of amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...ords=hydrofarm)

Now, the tank size, if you cant get a 2nd hide in on the cool side I would DEF get a bigger tank, at least a 20 gallon!!

As for the feeding frozen, the only thing you can do is try! Some snakes are just VERY picky eaters and won't eat it, and it's also t he same way for going from f/t to live sometimes!

Also, if you don't have one yet, you need a digital thermometer and hydrometer for your tank, analog just isn't as accurate! Here is a thermostat that is REALLY good and from what I have seen used by a lot of snake keepers and its cheap at walmart for about $12! I also use it, and its great, just make sure you buy a pack of 'AA' batteries and keep it with it just in case!!! http://www.walmart.com/ip/Acu-Rite-I...mometer/896347

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Originally Posted by hypnotixdmp

OK, so, as I learned when I 1st got into this not long ago, you can't really go tooooo cheap on stuff like a thermostat. I did get the hydrofarm thermostat off of amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...ords=hydrofarm)

Now, the tank size, if you cant get a 2nd hide in on the cool side I would DEF get a bigger tank, at least a 20 gallon!!

As for the feeding frozen, the only thing you can do is try! Some snakes are just VERY picky eaters and won't eat it, and it's also t he same way for going from f/t to live sometimes!

Also, if you don't have one yet, you need a digital thermometer and hydrometer for your tank, analog just isn't as accurate! Here is a thermostat that is REALLY good and from what I have seen used by a lot of snake keepers and its cheap at walmart for about $12! I also use it, and its great, just make sure you buy a pack of 'AA' batteries and keep it with it just in case!!! http://www.walmart.com/ip/Acu-Rite-I...mometer/896347

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x2

The hydrofarm is supposed to be really great for the cheaper thermostats. I've never used one, but it's what everyone recommends.

Also agree with the bigger cage. If you can't afford one, use a rubbermaid tub. The hide on the cool side allows your bp to thermoregulate himself.

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

x2

The hydrofarm is supposed to be really great for the cheaper thermostats. I've never used one, but it's what everyone recommends.

Also agree with the bigger cage. If you can't afford one, use a rubbermaid tub. The hide on the cool side allows your bp to thermoregulate himself.

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X2 on the rubbermaid tubs!!! Cheap and is REALLY good for holding humidity and can supply you with a lot of room!!! It doesn't matter if you care abotu being able to see your little guy there, you need to make sure he/she is comfortable more than anything!!

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Originally Posted by Dextrad

Hello a couple days ago i got my first ball python so i need some help. He is 440 grams and about 3feet long. The previous owner was feeding him a medium - large mouse every two weeks

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Isnt that a bit small of a mouse for snake that size??

our snake is 140 grams and we give her med. mouse every 5 days (mouse is about 17grams- 10-15% her weight)

Thanks guys. I plan on getting a bigger tank and that Thermostat also I already have a digital thermometer. Thanks again

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Originally Posted by Lisn123

Isnt that a bit small of a mouse for snake that size??

our snake is 140 grams and we give her med. mouse every 5 days (mouse is about 17grams- 10-15% her weight)

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Im new to this whole snake thing so im not sure. but im going to bring him to my local reptile breeder store tomorrow and find out what I should be feeding him then im going to try to feed him for the first time.

At 440 grams, you should be feeding weanling or small rats once a week. Or at least a ~2-3 adult mice once a week. One mouse once every 2 weeks is underfeeding.
And I agree with getting a larger enclosure.
For a ball that size, I recommend getting a 28qt tub. It's good for adults between 500-2000 grams and retains humidity well.
But remember, tubs only work well if your room temperature isn't too low (below 70-75*).

Yes the guy I bought him off of was underfeeding him. I'm going to work on getting everything I need and I will start feeding him bigger meals once a week. Thanks for the help everyone.

Where can I buy just a simple 28qt tub ? I plan on getting more ball python eventually so this would be the cheaper way.

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Originally Posted by Dextrad

Where can I buy just a simple 28qt tub ? I plan on getting more ball python eventually so this would be the cheaper way.

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Target, Walmart, CVS, Home depot, Lowes, etc etc.

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My local reptile breeder told me to get a 40 gallon tank and use a heating pad and a heating lamp. With 2 hides and a water bowl& newspaper as substrate. Is this a good set up for him?

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Originally Posted by Dextrad

My local reptile breeder told me to get a 40 gallon tank and use a heating pad and a heating lamp. With 2 hides and a water bowl& newspaper as substrate. Is this a good set up for him?

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It will work, but it is probably overkill. If you insist on a tank setup, a 20L might be a little more appropriate for your snake's size. Balls do not always do better in larger enclosures. They generally prefer more intimate quarters. Tanks can be a pain sometimes to regulate heat and humidity as well, but they are usually more aesthetically pleasing than tubs. Heat lamps will suck all the humidity out of your tank as well, so be prepared to work at keeping your humidity up. Constant misting and damp towels or aluminum foil over most of the screen lid will help. Also placing your snake's water bowl over its UTH can help raise humidity.

AKedit: Newspaper works just fine as a substrate. Paper towels are good too. Cheap, readily available and easy to clean up.

Sounds good just make sure you have a thermostat and he should do much better for you once he starts feeding more regularly :)

Good luck!

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Originally Posted by Dextrad

My local reptile breeder told me to get a 40 gallon tank and use a heating pad and a heating lamp. With 2 hides and a water bowl& newspaper as substrate. Is this a good set up for him?

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If you want to keep a tank, then that should be fine, as long as the heat is on a thermostat.

A lot of people find tanks hard to keep humidity in, hence the use of tubs.

My room in very humid if I turn off my fan the humidity gauge is at about 80 but when i turn it on and move around the air the humidity is at about 50-60. So humidity isn't a problem in my case. Thanks for the feed back everyone!

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I'm getting a deal on 20 and 30 gallon tanks because they have cracks on the bottom. Will this mess up the heating pad? Is it alright to use a cracked tank? Any feedback is good feedback. Let me know asap please.

I would say no, bps burrow sometimes, you wouldnt want him to potentially get cut.

But i dont really know. Im sure someone else will give better feedback

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Originally Posted by Dextrad

My room in very humid if I turn off my fan the humidity gauge is at about 80 but when i turn it on and move around the air the humidity is at about 50-60. So humidity isn't a problem in my case. Thanks for the feed back everyone!

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I'm getting a deal on 20 and 30 gallon tanks because they have cracks on the bottom. Will this mess up the heating pad? Is it alright to use a cracked tank? Any feedback is good feedback. Let me know asap please.

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Spend the extra money and buy your snake a tank that isn't broke! Or better yet, a tub. I would not use a cracked tank. That's just inviting all sorts of trouble.

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Yeah I use a cracked tank for mice, but a snake who has amazing crushing power?????


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Well I'm actually getting the tanks and a bunch of other accessories for a $40 watch that I don't even use.. so im not sure what to do. Why does everyone on this forum suggest a tub? If i decided to do the whole tub set up how will i need to set it up exactly? Every detail counts. Thanks again!

I think it would depend on the crack and whether or not it's sharp to the touch. I wouldn't risk it though.

You seem set on a tank, but have you considered a PVC enclosure?

You could silicone the crack if it wasn't too large. (Aquarium silicone that is.)

Here is an awesome link on how to setup a tub for a bp!!!

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