A Few Questions about my Ball?

Hey everybody! I'm new here. I want to Repticon in Memphis today and picked up a beautiful genetic stripe ball! Got him for only $115!!! Anyway, I weighed him when I got home. He is about 166 grams. The guy said he was born in August or September 2012. Is that a good size for that age? I own a normal ball that is about 120 grams but I'm not sure how old he is. What size feeders should I give my genetic stripe? I'm thinking rat pups. What do you guys think?
Also, is it safe to house these two pythons together? Right now, the new one is in a temporary cage that is a bit under 20 gallons I believe. That's just until I can get a 20 gallon or so. I didn't want to take the risk of housing them together until I find out if it's okay. I'm not an expert! I'm a bit new to reptile owning. Only been doing it for a few months so please help me out here! Thanks in advance!

-Cortland

Yes rat pups will be good! You definitely cannot house them together must have seperate enclosures.

Welcome! Congrats on your new snake. Give them their own enclosures.
How is your setup? What are the temperatures and humidity in the tanks? What's the humidity?
I think older rat pups would be good, no bigger than the thickest part of his body.

Thank you, that's what I figured! So a 20 gallon would be fine for that size?
EDIT: Meant to quote LucifersKeeper there, sorry.

If you get him a smaller enclosure it would be better. If you use the big tank, be sure to have plenty of clutter like fake plants and driftwood.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Capray

Welcome! Congrats on your new snake. Give them their own enclosures.
How is your setup? What are the temperatures and humidity in the tanks? What's the humidity?
I think older rat pups would be good, no bigger than the thickest part of his body.

---

The temp in the temporary setup for my new one is around low 80s. The humidity is about 60... The normal ball enclosure is mid-high 80s during the day, low 80s at night. About the same humidity.
Any tips on controlling heat and humidity better? I don't want them fluctuating.

Hey! Just thought I'd link you to the obvious helpful links since you're new to this! Post pics of the genetic stripe! I love that morph :)

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...Husbandry-FAQs

You can make the 20 work as long as you crowd it up and provide proper identical hides on hot and cool sides. Keeping humidity right in the glass enclosure is rough though.

What are you heating the enclosure with? The temp and humidity is good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Capray

What are you heating the enclosure with? The temp and humidity is good.

---

I've got heat pads under the warm hides. The enclosures are in a sun room/porch type thing, so it's pretty warm back there during the summer. During the winter, I turn the heater on. I may even have to get a window air conditioner back there for those hot summer days.

Do you have a thermostat controlling your heat source? If not, you really need one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FireStorm

Do you have a thermostat controlling your heat source? If not, you really need one.

---

Sadly, I don't. Do you think you could give me a link to a good one? What does it do?

It regulates power going to your heat source. It will help you keep the temps constant, and also prevent the heat source from getting too hot and burning your snake. Here's a link that may help:
http://firestormreptiles.com/weblog/...hermostat.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FireStorm

It regulates power going to your heat source. It will help you keep the temps constant, and also prevent the heat source from getting too hot and burning your snake. Here's a link that may help:
http://firestormreptiles.com/weblog/...hermostat.html

---

So do I plug my heat pad into that? Like I said, the heat pad is under the warm hide... Should I use another source of heat besides that?

You will plug the heat source into the thermostat, and then plug the thermostat into the wall. Then you put the thermostat probe in between the heat mat and the bottom of the enclosure. You may have to play with the temp you set the thermostat at to get the right temps in the enclosure, but if you can keep things warm enough with just the heat mats that is ideal. Lights dry things out a lot.

What are you using to measure your temps?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FireStorm

What are you using to measure your temps?

---

Im using a digital probe. I'm guessing a thermostat would be better? That $35 one on amazon looked pretty nice. So that can control the heat of the pad and tell me how hot it is?

You'll still want to use the digital thermometer to verify the temps in the enclosure, you just want the thermostat there to control the temps. In other words, you need both. Adding the thermostat will really help level off your temps. The Hydrofarm is definitely your best bet if you are on a budget...the cheap ones they market for reptiles don't seem to be as reliable. Otherwise, if you want to spend the money ($100+) on a high end one the Herpstat is great. The other thing is, what are you using for tops on your enclosure? If they are screen, covering them 2/3 of the way with foil may help with the humidity.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FireStorm

You'll still want to use the digital thermometer to verify the temps in the enclosure, you just want the thermostat there to control the temps. In other words, you need both. Adding the thermostat will really help level off your temps. The Hydrofarm is definitely your best bet if you are on a budget...the cheap ones they market for reptiles don't seem to be as reliable. Otherwise, if you want to spend the money ($100+) on a high end one the Herpstat is great. The other thing is, what are you using for tops on your enclosure? If they are screen, covering them 2/3 of the way with foil may help with the humidity.

---

I have another repticarpet on top of the screen (The pack came with two)
but I leave enough space for ventilation and for the lights.

It sounds like you are off to a pretty good start...I think the main thing you were missing is the thermostat.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FireStorm

It sounds like you are off to a pretty good start...I think the main thing you were missing is the thermostat.

---

I'll get one of those as soon as possible. Actually probably two for both enclosures... Thank you so much for your help! It's much appreciated! Also, congrats on the new clutch. ;)

Thanks! And good luck with your new addition.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FireStorm

Thanks! And good luck with your new addition.

---

Totally just mistaken you for a different person! :P My bad! Unless you ACTUALLY have a new clutch! In that case, congrats! :D

We did, so no worries;)