Very New Owner (Who Needs A Lot of Help)

So yesterday, I purchased my first ball python who I named Bob.

I'll attach some photos just for the heck of it.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...39719847_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...35036796_n.jpg

After a little bit of debate with my mum on when to get him, I purchased Bob from Petsmart.
I know, I know... not the best choice since pet stores don't have the best reputations with snakes. (And to be honest, I had planned to buy a ball python from a local reptile store that is across town but... I held Bob and absolutely fell in love with him so it was impossible to let go)
Now that I think about it... I don't know much about him (The store associate didn't tell me much about him, except what he was feeding on, how often he fed and his health history...didn't help that the guy was relatively terrified of snakes) I do know that he is somewhere between being a juvenile and a baby. (Maybe you guys can give me a little bit more information on an estimation)

Originally, I had planned to go with housing him in a tub but I don't exactly have one just yet so I purchased one of those beginners' kits that they sell at Petsmart (which, let me say, are a little shoddy, accessory wise) So far, I have him on Reptibark..a nice snug hide on the warm spot..and his water bowl on the cool side.. I also have a separate digital thermometer with a probe that I purchased today and also a gauge to monitor humidity. I also have one of those overhead basking lamps that came with the kit..plus a spray bottle to mist the cage with...

I plan to move him into a tub once I purchase the appropriate size/width and make the proper ventilation holes.
But for now, I hope that he'll be okay where he is now. I would really like to keep two hides in there but there isn't enough comfortable space for it... I have this log type thing that just BARELY fits and I don't want him to feel too crowded out, so I just have his cave right now.

My main concern is just with keeping the humidity and temperature up.
The UTH that came with the kit can't be regulated.. it's just plugged in and there.
Should I invest in a new UTH or maybe something completely different? (Seeing that I do have the basking lamp)

So does anyone have any advice for a newbie?
I have already read the care guide on here, but I am always open to some elaboration on some of the things said.
Such as...
How can I regulate heat with a standard UTH that isn't adjustable?
When should I offer him his feed? (And on that note, what size feed would be good? I'm thinking a fuzzy would be good but I was a little unsure)
Do you think I should keep him in his current quarters right now or try to get that tub enclosure right away?
Anything else you can think of?


Aside from all of this, Bob seems to be happy and slowly starting to adjust!

You can just use a light dimmer for now. Can you post a pic? All he needs are two hides and a water bowl. If the wood isn't there, is there room for the second hide?

He's going to need probably an adult mouse. Not even the newest of hatchling ball pythons will bother with fuzzies, most get started on rat pinks or mouse hoppers. You're going to need to get a handle on that UTH and the humidity right away. Tanks are nearly impossible to keep humidity in. The lamp dimmer is a good idea. $12 or so bucks at any home improvement store and you've got a way to regulate your heat source. You'll have to keep a close eye on it even once it's dialed in, but as long as your house temps don't fluctuate too much, you should be able to dial it in and only check up on it every day.

Also, cluttered is good. But two hides is better. I would pick up a hide identical to the one you already have (if they have them) and ditch the log, at least for now.

The brand of UHT matters for a start some are regulated to a lower temp (but the regulator can fail so a thermostat is still advisable).
Since you don't plan on keeping the tank set-up just cover 2/3 to 3/4 of it with a damp towel to help keep humidity up. Keep this well away from the heat lamps.
Check out the care sheet they have here it is full of very helpful information.
Congrats on acquiring your snake, I hope you enjoy it for years to come.

I agree with the previous comments that the first thing would be to get your UTH regulated on a thermostat. As far as the hides go, he is probably more comfortable in a snug one. Congrats on your new ball python, Bob is very pretty!

Honestly my local Petsmarts aren't that bad. They take much better care of their animals than Petco, which isn't saying much, but it's something.

I would replace the repti-bark with paper towels, newspaper, aspen, cypress mulch (forest floor), or coconut husk (eco earth).

If you want a cheap thermostat, hydrofarms are decent digital thermostats that you can buy on Amazon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by meowmeowkazoo

Honestly my local Petsmarts aren't that bad. They take much better care of their animals than Petco, which isn't saying much, but it's something.

I would replace the repti-bark with paper towels, newspaper, aspen, cypress mulch (forest floor), or coconut husk (eco earth).

If you want a cheap thermostat, hydrofarms are decent digital thermostats that you can buy on Amazon.

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Except for the fact that petsmart gives many thousands more per year to the HSUS.. Ugh.. I wish people would stop buying animals, and especially reptiles, from the places that financially support the organization that is trying to take all of our pets away from us and completely demonizes reptiles.

It just freaks me out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Capray

You can just use a light dimmer for now. Can you post a pic? All he needs are two hides and a water bowl. If the wood isn't there, is there room for the second hide?

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http://i49.tinypic.com/e1ahpk.jpg


Here is the current set-up for Bob's cage. (And you guys get to see Bob in his prime haha)
Err, slightly ignore the choice for a water bowl. I know he's not a cat lol but hey, it's temporary.
(Plus it's never been used, just the right size for him and he seems to like it)
So as you can see, I don't have much room to work with.
Hide isn't terribly big, so I might be able to squeeze another one in there. Should I try or no?

Also...

Inarikins: Wow didn't think that he would an adult mouse this soon! But that sounds good, I wanna get him on a good eating routine. I am going to invest in a thermostat for the UTH when I go get him his feed. Speaking of which, when should I offer him his first meal? I got him on Friday night. I want to get him another hide, but judging from the picture, do you think it would be feasible?

Raven01: Damp towel? Gotcha. I had misted the cage earlier and that seemed to raise the humidity significantly. And thank you! I love him to death already and it's barely been 48 hours haha.

elbee: Thank you, will do!

meowmeowkazoo: Yeah at my local Petco, I was told they had ball pythons, corn snakes and baby red tails. Petco didn't necessarily strike me as the type of place to carry a red tail boa, considering how big they can get, but oh well. So replace the Repti-bark? Okie dokie. The only reason I had gotten it is because it's supposed to hold humidity well. But hey paper towels would be much cheaper (and presumably easier on Bob's skin)

Oh yeah forgot to mention that the hide is on the warm side, and the water bowl is on the cool side!

That would be fine if you added the other hide with the bowl in the middle. Cover three sides of the tank with newspaper or something dark so he feels more secure.

Using paper towels in a glass tank will be terrible for the humidity. Cypress mulch would be the best choice and holds moisture well. Repti bark is not bad and will work with your setup better than paper towels. Just mist it each day.

You do need to regulate the UTH. I like and recommend Herpstat.

http://www.spyderrobotics.com/store/...ain_page=index

Buy the best tstat you can afford. It is not an item to go cheap on.

Also the substrate over the UTH needs to be thin, usually 1/4 on less. Right now since it is not regulated and I assume your only heat source I would keep it thicker. If you are using the lamp that came with it and can create a 90 degree surface hotspot with an 80 degree ambient temp I would say unplug it for now and just use the lamp.

You really need two hides so even if it is alittle cramped I would put two. You might check into a smaller set for now, our make some. The snake will feel more secure with less open space. The more cover the better, especially for young snakes.

Another tip to help with humidity is place damp moss in the hides. This will create a humid hide with higher humidity than the rest of the cage and will benefit your snake greatly.

http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...psa5797386.jpg

Just remember that everything you put in the tank will at some point need to be cleaned. Make sure the items can handle water, heat, and high humidity.

Here is a really bad picture of my set up (sorry it's all I have right now xD).
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...psde9939b8.jpg
You need two hides, one on the hot, one on the cold, without two it will not be able to thermoregulate properly.
Cover 3 sides of the tank, to make it feel more secure, and if you can, clutter that tank up! the more "stuff" the better. They like crowded, especially as babies.
I use eco earth, but repti bark should be okay if you mist every day, they need high humidity, you should also cover at least half of that screen top with tin foil, plexiglass, or a tamp towel to help keep the humidity in.
Also they are not a fan of white light, if you could replace the white heat bulb with a red night bulb or a CHE it will be much happier. That UTH should be regulated as well, you don't need a new one, you can buy a separate thermometer.

I covered the back and sides of my tank with black poster board and cover the screen top with aluminum foil and electrical tape and left a round opening where the heat lamp goes, so I can keep humidity in, now I only need to spray the tank once a day.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

Except for the fact that petsmart gives many thousands more per year to the HSUS.. Ugh.. I wish people would stop buying animals, and especially reptiles, from the places that financially support the organization that is trying to take all of our pets away from us and completely demonizes reptiles.

It just freaks me out.

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I hate HSUS, but my only two options out here are Petco or Petsmart. :( I feel better supporting the store that takes better care of their animals. The only live animals I buy from them are fish, the rest is just supplies.

I would honestly use a coconut husk/cypress mulch mix to hold in humidity. Repti Bark has so many large, rough pieces in it. It seems like it would be easy for a piece of fecal matter or urates to fall between the pieces.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by meowmeowkazoo

I hate HSUS, but my only two options out here are Petco or Petsmart. :( I feel better supporting the store that takes better care of their animals. The only live animals I buy from them are fish, the rest is just supplies.

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Yes I agree that some people simply have no choice depending on where they live. I sometimes have to buy bedding there for the rats because no one else sells the kiln dried pine that works best. I don't buy animals from them though. I certainly never donate anything at the check out either. I wish they would open their eyes to what HSUS really is.

Thanks for the help everyone, I appreciate it!
So far I have purchased another hide and a new water dish (that will be big enough for him) so it is quite crowded in there now.
Also, I bought a container as his new digs in the near future.

He ate his first meal approximately 20 minutes ago!
It took him a while though. Not to strike, but to actually get it in his mouth because he went at it sideways.
So yeah I will probably post a picture of the new set-up in a few days, so I can leave him be to digest.

Welcome to the addiction. Kudos to you for asking questions and being teachable. We were all new oncew and we always keep learning. Can't add anything new except when I had glass enclosures, a wet towel covering 2/3 of the screen top really helped keep humidity up. Keep coming back, ASK QUESTIONS, read the threads, and you'll be a great snake owner. There's a wealth of knowledge here...

As you may know, Ball Pythons can live for decades in captivity. As you and your snake grow, you'll learn about better enclosures. Good idea to invest in a good enclosure/tub setup. Don't have to do it this minute, but the basics many pointed out will get you started in the right direction...Good luck!