Newbie to the site & GOT MY FIST BP TODAY!!!

Okay, so I received a '12 High Yellow Ball Python about 12" in payment for 1 or 2 future baby Jackson chameleons I will be having in 4 or so months.. Brought me some of his cage accessories: hide, water bowl etc... I had JUST gotten back from buying a huge water bowl and stuff for him so I told him go ahead and keep the smaller bowl. But he brought me 2 fuzzies and the BP ate them right up! No problem! I bought some African Soft Hair Rats that might be too big, but if they are then I am sure I can get them exchanged... I've never fed live to a snake I've only ever owned king and corn snakes... Who ate frozen.. But I was prepared for the live feedings... And I was amazed how easily he ate the live baby mice! Especially under what I would have considered stressful situations! He seems to be very calm and easy going. But I'll stop blabbing and post pix! He's on the left in the pic w/2...
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/20/ysaty9ug.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/20/aba6yjub.jpg
He's very sweet! And just wondering... Is a 30gl too big??? I have him in a huuuge 30gl right now with a zoo med heat pad, and huge zoo med water bowl....

*~*~*~ Love always bring difficulties, that is true, but the good side of it is that it gives energy ~*~*~*
-Vincent Van Gogh-

Cute little guy! Congrats! ^__^ Your first will always have a special place in your heart.

30g is pretty big for his size. It could stress him out to be in such a large enclosure, not to mention a pain to heat. I think you'll find most on the site will recommend tubs over tanks, but if you do decide to go the tank route, 10g would be more his speed. Either that, or clutter up his 30g to make it feel more secure. But there's still the issue of heating...aaand anything you put in there has to be cleaned/sanitized on a regular basis.

Tl;Dr: you can totally make that tank work, but it'll be a pain to do properly.

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Originally Posted by Anya

Cute little guy! Congrats! ^__^ Your first will always have a special place in your heart.

30g is pretty big for his size. It could stress him out to be in such a large enclosure, not to mention a pain to heat. I think you'll find most on the site will recommend tubs over tanks, but if you do decide to go the tank route, 10g would be more his speed. Either that, or clutter up his 30g to make it feel more secure. But there's still the issue of heating...aaand anything you put in there has to be cleaned/sanitized on a regular basis.

Tl;Dr: you can totally make that tank work, but it'll be a pain to do properly.

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I have a huuuge heat pad under it...! I was prepared to heat a large tank. And am used to heating tortoise and bearded dragon tanks... Not that I'm easily thrown off by the challenge lol! I went to ken the bug guys shop and asked all the right questions. Gt the 30-40gl tank heater. And have plenty of basking lamps if need be...I ALSO have 10gl tanks I could put him in, but idk if the water dish would fit o.O
I was prepared for a 5ft snake.... Not a baby LMAO!!! But he seems happy in it, he's not acting stressed. But I could always move things around. ;-)
I am super excited to have him! Idk how much a high yellow is worth, but the guy that "traded" him to me is a return buyer of my critters.... And said he wanted the BP to go to someone who would take good care and be in a great environment... So he chose a great place!


*~*~*~ Love always bring difficulties, that is true, but the good side of it is that it gives energy ~*~*~*
-Vincent Van Gogh-

Also he wanted to get him a new home b/c his sister was born as a Siamese twin that consumed her twin I the egg, and had brain damage. And couldn't eat, and died... So he was lonely... And I handle my snakes daily!


*~*~*~ Love always bring difficulties, that is true, but the good side of it is that it gives energy ~*~*~*
-Vincent Van Gogh-

Looks like a really cool little normal you have there. Let the addiction begin! Make sure you are controlling your heat pad properly and giving him the proper temperature gradient throughout his enclosure.

Have fun!

Very good looking little guy. I would definitely try to get him in a much smaller enclosure for sure though with 2 hides and water dish you may see him get stressed and go off feeding in such a large enclosure.

I am only able to put him in a 10gl if I did put him in a smaller tank. But he has a nice looking setup. I already used the glue part to stick on the heat pad, and I have a heat lamp in the middle of the tank to spread thru what it needs. It's the same foot print as a 20gl long. So it's not HUGE... But if I were to put climbs in, it'd be quite a bit more space...


*~*~*~ Love always bring difficulties, that is true, but the good side of it is that it gives energy ~*~*~*
-Vincent Van Gogh-

You can make it work I did through trial and error with my first little guy.I had a rough time getting him to feed consistantly he's one of those really skiddish BP's and loves privacy hes an eating machine now that hes in a tub in my rack he has yet to miss a meal.

Very cute ball python.

What are you using to monitor temperatures? Is it a dial or a digital thermometer.

And do you have a thermostat? If not, your heat pad can get hot enough to burn your new little buddy!

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

Very cute ball python.

What are you using to monitor temperatures? Is it a dial or a digital thermometer.

And do you have a thermostat? If not, your heat pad can get hot enough to burn your new little buddy!

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Haha bobbafett love Ur name! Don't have any thermometers in there yet. But he's got alot of cushion aka bedding between him, and the heater. Also he has a hide he can go on. I just learned yesterday that he was coming into my life... Like this time last night! So I was pretty unprepared! Can the zoomed repti therm fry a snake!?


*~*~*~ Love always bring difficulties, that is true, but the good side of it is that it gives energy ~*~*~*
-Vincent Van Gogh-

Any unregulated heat source can easily reach over 100 degrees. Also, if you have your substrate too thick, your snake won't be able to reach the heat unless it burrows, which is now even more hazardous, due to your unregulated heat source.

I'd suggest unplugging it and picking up a light dimmer. Usually they can be found at home depot for fairly cheap.

You will need to get a thermostat though, as a dimmer is just a temporary fix. I'd suggest a herpstat 1.
http://www.spyderrobotics.com

Also, go to your Walmart and find a digital thermometer that has a probe. They have ones called accurites which will be able to show you your cool side and warm side temperatures as well as your humidity.

Here's some pix of him and his enclosure...
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/20/gu2y3e9e.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/20/a5a9yqy4.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/20/by2a4aze.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/20/ze4yveqy.jpg
I think he's ok.... But of course it's my FIRST python...
*~*~*~ Love always bring difficulties, that is true, but the good side of it is that it gives energy ~*~*~*
-Vincent Van Gogh-

He's very pretty.

Is that a half log hide? Ball pythons generally do better with tight fitting hides with one opening. I'd also suggest moving the water dish to the middle so you can have a hide on each side. This way your snake can properly thermoregulate.

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Originally Posted by bobbafett

he's very pretty.

Is that a half log hide? Ball pythons generally do better with tight fitting hides with one opening. I'd also suggest moving the water dish to the middle so you can have a hide on each side. This way your snake can properly thermoregulate.

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x2

I have a half log hide in my first males tank, he's had it since I got him, I've always just put Eco earth to cover the second opening. He's now gotten so big he fits in it perfect an has uncovered both ends so he can go back an forth threw it. Soon as I have an open tub hell finally get a tub but till then he's lived for almost four years with that half log... But yeah get a cold side hide for your little guy most people say same kind as the hot side so he can't favor one over the other because of design.. Again I don't do that on my only ball in a tank he has two different kinds of hides. Like completely different nothing about them is the same, I've never seen him act any different then any of my other snakes that are in tubs. My two cents I guess

We'll let me get the thermostat put in, then work on everything one at a time.... I was really unprepared and uneducated about him. But he'll have to make due with log hides... And a aquarium hide.... At least for now.... I'm doing my best.


*~*~*~ Love always bring difficulties, that is true, but the good side of it is that it gives energy ~*~*~*
-Vincent Van Gogh-

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Originally Posted by jfulcher

We'll let me get the thermostat put in, then work on everything one at a time.... I was really unprepared and uneducated about him. But he'll have to make due with log hides... And a aquarium hide.... At least for now.... I'm doing my best.


*~*~*~ Love always bring difficulties, that is true, but the good side of it is that it gives energy ~*~*~*
-Vincent Van Gogh-

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Youll get it! Don't stress none their hardy animals, you'd be suprised the shape some of my rescues have come in. Far as half log, like I said Ive used one with my first male for four years he's never seemed to mind if you can block off the back end a little with substrate I'd do that, but like I said my boy who's around 1100 grams pushes the substrate out of his log. Get the thermostat and another hide for cool side. Check out reptile basics they have cheaper hides if you want to buy them, otherwise you can find out how to do easy DIY hides (my cool side is one of them, new is needed tho). Did you already have a thermostat picked out? If money is an issue, hydofarms are on amazon for like 30$ and they work good, I have two and my buddy uses them too.

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Originally Posted by carlson

Youll get it! Don't stress none their hardy animals, you'd be suprised the shape some of my rescues have come in. Far as half log, like I said Ive used one with my first male for four years he's never seemed to mind if you can block off the back end a little with substrate I'd do that, but like I said my boy who's around 1100 grams pushes the substrate out of his log. Get the thermostat and another hide for cool side. Check out reptile basics they have cheaper hides if you want to buy them, otherwise you can find out how to do easy DIY hides (my cool side is one of them, new is needed tho). Did you already have a thermostat picked out? If money is an issue, hydofarms are on amazon for like 30$ and they work good, I have two and my buddy uses them too.

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I have a old water heater thermostat we used for our homemade incubator... But idk were figuring out as we go... Now for hot dogs!!! Then bed! Is 3am!!!


*~*~*~ Love always bring difficulties, that is true, but the good side of it is that it gives energy ~*~*~*
-Vincent Van Gogh-

Haha lucky! I got an hr left of work an I'm gonna watch the hobbit an goto bed. You'll figure out everything with your new pet, little time a knowledge your set.

OK....! I got the heat set with a human heat pad for now... It's holding a good temp. As well as a basking bulb for added heat outside his hide on sandstone rocks... Changed his hide, and well enclosure alllll around.. As well as got a new buddy.!
Here's some pix!!!
New baby!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/29/madejuby.jpg
And new setup with everything set up different!!!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/29/e2abu6ar.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/29/abaqyver.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/29/bu9y7uqu.jpg
I KNOW IM BEING UNCONVENTIONAL... But I'm finding ways of keeping him happy, and heating it more efficiently... Getting a better bulb soon... New baby didn't eat, so my corn snake ate his meal.... I've seen turf used as sub before, and know someone who owns a turf company... Just testing it out right now... It's in beta mode at the moment... Put it in my bunny cage and it looked soo good, and had plenty left over so I did the BP's tank... The hide is a one way safe enclosure. And Monty is used to cohabitating. And seemed to miss it... So I got a very pretty "normal" but looks like a pastel that got mixed into the normal batch... Very bright colorings, and looks EXACTLY like a honey pastel!!! Even the pet shop owner thinks so... Well.. Got to FINALLY go to bed!!! Or at least try! Gimme some feedback on my new setup... Always can take some feedback. Worst I can do is ignore it LOL!!!

*~*~*~ Love always bring difficulties, that is true, but the good side of it is that it gives energy ~*~*~*
-Vincent Van Gogh-

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Originally Posted by jfulcher

OK....! I got the heat set with a human heat pad for now... It's holding a good temp.

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Those tend to just shut off after awhile and will get more than hot enough to burn your snake.

You need to get a thermostat to control the heat or your going to have a burnt snake sooner than later. If you were unprepared and uneducated to properly care for the animal from the beginning, why did you get it? Same concept as having a baby without a car seat and diapers. Do what you can ASAP to get the temps dialed in PROPERLY for your animal.

... just trying to help and for the viewers wanting to get a Ball... BE PREPARED FIRST!!!!!

Congrats on the new snake(s).

However there are a few issues that I see.
1) Lack of thermostat. - This controls the heating pad, otherwise your heating pad can burn your snake. They can get up to 130+ degrees when unregulated.

2) You have 2 ball pythons in the same enclosure? Did you Quarantine the new snake? While it can be done, it's not recommended to house 2 ball pythons together for purposes other than breeding. Especially for new keepers.

3) I suggest blacking out the sides and back of your enclosure. It will make your baby feel more secure. The baby who hasn't eaten is probably stressed out from moving to a new place. So leave your snake alone for a week. Do not touch or handle him. Then try feeding him in his enclosure in a week.

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Originally Posted by jfulcher

So he was lonely... And I handle my snakes daily!

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Also, snakes don't get lonely. Anthropomorphizing is a no no. :P
BPs are solitary non-social animals.
Since you're handling your snakes daily, this is probably why your new baby isn't eating.

I'd be careful with the 2 snakes in the same enclosure. I tried this when i first got my BPs and it REALLY did not work out. They almost killed each other. Luckily i saw what was happening and separated them immediately. They say it "can" be done, but i STRONGLY advise against it. You may think it looks "cute" when theyre laying on each other but it actually is dominance for the best spot and it is stressful for them. Hope this helps a little, good luck with your new additions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by satomi325

Congrats on the new snake(s).

However there are a few issues that I see.
1) Lack of thermostat. - This controls the heating pad, otherwise your heating pad can burn your snake. They can get up to 130+ degrees when unregulated.

2) You have 2 ball pythons in the same enclosure? Did you Quarantine the new snake? While it can be done, it's not recommended to house 2 ball pythons together for purposes other than breeding. Especially for new keepers.

3) I suggest blacking out the sides and back of your enclosure. It will make your baby feel more secure. The baby who hasn't eaten is probably stressed out from moving to a new place. So leave your snake alone for a week. Do not touch or handle him. Then try feeding him in his enclosure in a week.

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THIS^. Very good advice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by satomi325

Also, snakes don't get lonely. Anthropomorphizing is a no no. :P
BPs are solitary non-social animals.
Since you're handling your snakes daily, this is probably why your new baby isn't eating.

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This is also very true. They don't like or want to be handled, they put up with it.

Just to add to the very good advice on setup that has already been posted here, please check out the site caresheet. Also, there are no such morphs as a "high yellow" or a "honey pastel", so I would take your pet store's input with an enormous grain of salt. You have a very nice-looking normal, which goes for $10-50, depending on the seller.