Layla the Ball Python & a few questions :)

Hi everyone! New here, and decided to join a forum just like I did when I got my little corn. So I got my first ball python a few days ago. Don't know if she's a male or female but she's a she for now! She shed the other day so instead of waiting a week after getting her, we just decided to feed her cause her last owner said she eats great - and she does! Didn't even hesitate :) Anyway here she is, this was before she shed, before we even got her :
http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/4166/dscn2565xe.jpg

Do you all think she's a normal morph? That's what the guy said but I don't know much about the different morphs yet.

This is her after she shed:
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/1140/wp002837.jpg

This is her tub, does it look ok to everyone? I noticed that condensation on the inside of her tub this morning but there was more than in the picture above. Our room is kind of damp, is this causing it or is it because her water bowl is too full/big?
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/4567/wp002839.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/4100/wp002864.jpg

After her full belly :) What should she be fed? She was born July 2011, and havn't gotten a chance to weigh her yet.
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/4906/wp002872.jpg

So this is her, tell me what you experts think :)

Welcome to the forum!

Layla looks like a normal. Still beautiful!

The tub condensation is normal, as long as it's no a ton. If it's dripping off the lid or something, just use a smaller bowl. They don't soak often.

The setup looks good. What are you using for heating? You may want to put paper over three sides of it, below the holes so she feels more secure when she switches hides.

She is a normal. You don't want condensation on tub walls. I would get her a smaller water bowl. What are you using to measure temps and humidity with?

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Congrats on her!

She looks awfully small for a July '11 baby: I'd recommend a digital scale so you can weigh her and track her growth (if you don't have one already of course)

She also looks like a nice little normal to me.

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Originally Posted by Capray

You may want to put paper over three sides of it, below the holes so she feels more secure when she switches hides.

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So I just put more aspen all along the sides, seems to do the trick :)

And I put back in her smaller water bowl and the condensation has already gone down.

I'm using a heat mat under one side, should I have a lamp as well?

So I havent gotten my hands on a thermometer or hygrometer yet is that really bad? I meant to get them for my corn but he seems to be fine regarding temp but obviously I know you're supposed to keep an eye on that kind of thing. Just dont have any spare money to get them atm..

Do you think she looks small? What weight/ length is normal for a year and a half? Ill weigh her this evening and ill try measure her as well

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Originally Posted by Sekani

So I havent gotten my hands on a thermometer or hygrometer yet is that really bad? I meant to get them for my corn but he seems to be fine regarding temp but obviously I know you're supposed to keep an eye on that kind of thing. Just dont have any spare money to get them atm..

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An Acurite thermometer/hygrometer at Walmart is $15. You attach the probe to the plastic directly over the heat tape (where she lays for her hot spot), and place the unit at the other end of the tub for an ambient measurement. You must KNOW your temps. Do you have the heat tape on any kind of dimmer or thermostat.

Make sure you know your temps and regulate them. No lamp needed if you you have a heat mat.

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Originally Posted by axeman569

Make sure you know your temps and regulate them. No lamp needed if you you have a heat mat.

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ONLY if the ambient temps measure at a reasonable level. The hot spot can be 90deg with a heat mat, but if the ambient temp is still only 69deg, then you need a second heat source.

That is true though in Az. we have a hard time with humidity so lamps are bad.

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

An Acurite thermometer/hygrometer at Walmart is $15. Do you have the heat tape on any kind of dimmer or thermostat.

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Unfortunately we don't have cheap shops like that over here in Ireland (unless anyone wants to point me in the right direction?), was looking around at prices and they're around €16 for a thermometer and hygrometer each :( I know that may sound like not much to you, but over here, that's a weeks food for myself and my boyfriend!
Was looking on ebay, and I'm kind of hesitant as I'm not sure what constitutes a "good" one or not... What do you think of this one? Does it look any good? I hope don't sound like a cheapskate!!
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Digital-LCD-T...#ht_1016wt_909

The heat mat is just by itself, plugged into the wall.

I forgot to say btw, i weighed her on the kitchen scales (I know - not ideal - but she's too big for our digital scales!!) And she weighed in roughly 380g. Please tell me is she small for a july 2011? When I got her the guy said she was a year old so maybe he meant 2012? Anyway let me know what you think

She's a little small, but probably not terribly so for an early 2012. I apologize for not realizing you aren't in the States; that's what I get for assuming! The link you posted is the right idea, just read up on the specs for how much they consider an acceptable accuracy deviation (1 degree, 5 degrees, etc.).

Oh, and I weigh my bps on digital kitchen scales, so nothing wrong with that. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

She's a little small, but probably not terribly so for an early 2012. I apologize for not realizing you aren't in the States; that's what I get for assuming! The link you posted is the right idea, just read up on the specs for how much they consider an acceptable accuracy deviation (1 degree, 5 degrees, etc.).

Oh, and I weigh my bps on digital kitchen scales, so nothing wrong with that. :)

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Have the ebay one ordered! :) Oh I contacted the guy again and he said july 2011 again so does this mean she's too small? I want her to be healthy
Here's a video of her eating. (excuse the funny music :banana:) She has some strength I'll tell you that! Is this an okay size for her?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z3TlgN0jZ8

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DooLittle

She is a normal. You don't want condensation on tub walls. I would get her a smaller water bowl. What are you using to measure temps and humidity with?

Sent from my ADR6410LVW using Tapatalk 2

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Is condensation an awful thing to have in a BP enclosure? I've got the zoo med humidifier set up for my little gal and it will make condensation on the glass where her hide is set up. I noticed she would lick up some of the condensation when she was in shed and didn't want to leave her hide, but is this really a no-no for BP enclosures?:colbert:
If so, I imagine I could move her hide a bit away from the side, as to not trap the condensation in there.