First ball python! Could use some guidance.

Hello there! LONG time no see!

I had really wanted a ball python when I joined here a few years ago, but circumstances weren't right and I ended up not getting one. Well, I found this girl on craigslist:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y11...psa9c7be7b.jpg

I just had to get her. Now, the guy that I got her from had her on sand. :( But she is incredibly stressed out right now. How long should I wait before I change her substrate? And he also had given her a rat before leaving the house (he said he accidentally threw it in the tank instead of putting it into another carrier to give me), and she threw it up in the car (she only had the head down anyway). Should I just throw the rat away at this point? She is showing absolutely no interest in getting back to eating it. He also told me to wait 24hrs before putting her shelter in and water bowl... but doesn't she need water? I'm just so confused... all the research in the world doesn't actually prepare you for the moment of bringing your new pet home. I also know the tank is filthy (the glass) and needs to be cleaned. But I just want her to get settled before disturbing her too much!

Thank you for any help!

I am also new, but I can't understand why you wouldn't put water and hides in. I would think that it would help her settle in.
Anyways, congrats!!

I know, that's what I'm thinking. I did put the hide in but I'd actually have to move her to put the water bowl in. I'm just trying to keep the stress to a minimum, but I'm pretty positive she needs her water bowl in there!

And thank you! :D I am so excited! I have wanted one for so many years!

Sorry for the double post but I took that rat out and put the hide/water dish in. She went right inside her hide. Just seemed unnecessary not to put them in. I still do have a question though about when to change the sand out for a more appropriate substrate? I also realize I need to get her 2 identical hides (they only gave her one), but again, I just want her to get settled first.

Also, they said to feed her large rats. But.. it seemed far too big for her? She seemed to be having a lot of trouble with it before she threw it up. Should I just stick with small rats? She's about 4 feet long.

Congratulations on your new addition: Just in case you haven't had a chance to look it over, here is the care sheet that is linked on this website, this should help with your new ball. http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

I would do all the cleaning, put in different substrate (with glass I would recommend Eco-Earth) and put in the hides (shelter), then put her back in and then give her a chance to settle in (few weeks) before handling.

Definitely change the bedding right away. The eco earth or aspen would be really good for your ball python. Sand is a bad media to keep BPs on. Also, let the BP settle in for a week or two before really handling it very much. Definitely check out the care sheet link to get a better idea for other questions. Good luck and keep us posted on the BPs progress.

Thank you! Unfortunately it's going to have to wait until morning to change it out. Is that ok? The pet stores around me are closed and I have some ecoearth (that I use for my fire belly toads) but it's not enough for this tank. I could also temporarily use newspaper if you think she needs to get off of it right now, but she's been on it all this time I don't think one more night will hurt?

And thanks for the link! :) I did a lot of research a few years ago in preparation, but it's been a while and I definitely need to brush up!

Newspaper or paper towels would be fine for the night. I use white paper towels for all new arrivals for a few weeks as it makes seeing snake mites easier if the snake has them. Just remember that if there is an under-tank heater, it thermostat will have to be adjusted to compensate for the change in substrate so your snake doesn't get burned.

She's already stressed now, so I'd just do everything now instead of letting her settle and then stressingher out again :gj:

Ok, I'm going to change out the substrate now and put some paper towels in. Now, she did come with a ZooMed UTH but it doesn't have a thermostat. That's another thing I have to get tomorrow (I got her late today so there wasn't a chance to get back out after I got her home). Right now I'm just using the lamp because I don't want to risk burning her. Hopefully this goes well and I don't get bitten, lol. She's so scared. :(

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Originally Posted by liv

she's already stressed now, so i'd just do everything now instead of letting her settle and then stressingher out again :gj:

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x2 :)

Ok, all changed over to paper towels. :) And she is so sweet. She was scared but was never aggressive. Just kept her head tucked in most of the time. So, I should still change her over to the ecoearth tomorrow?

And here's a photo I got of her while she was out for the cleaning. I can't get over how adorable she is. :D

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y11...ps4cb785ef.jpg

Either substrate is fine, but ecoearth may do a better job of helping with the humidity. It may work better than paper towels since lights tend to dry things out.

I use eco earth for my hoggy, pacman, and mix it with repti bark for my gtp. I like it for them but not my ball. It becomes dusty as it dries out. I prefer cypress mulch for my ball. I use forest floor and really like it.

Anytime I get a new addition its home gets a compete cleaning and usually many upgrades before I let it settle in. I have never had any issues doing this and personally believe that stressing them out a bit in the beginning but giving them the best home possible let's them settle in much easier and faster.

a BP will always appreciate hides :) especially when stressed

Ok, I got the new substrate today. I did decide to get the cypress mulch, but I got it from home depot and the mulch was a bit wet (it had rained today and the bags were stored outside at the store). I am really hoping the mulch will dry out? I also got a humidity gauge and a temperature probe, and now have two identical hides for her. The only thing I couldn't find was a thermostat for the heat pad. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I could get one online for a reasonable price (not really looking for anything too fancy, just something that is reliable and will do the basics)? I'm still really worried about the temps... Ambient temperature is 78.5 degrees at the moment and I figured that under all of the cypress mulch that the UTH wouldn't burn her, so I did plug that in and turn it on. But it's not even heating up the substrate yet and it's been over an hour? How long does it take? The temperature probe in the area above the UTH only read 76 degrees. I know it's working because I can feel the heat underneath the bottom of the tank.

Thank you again for all of your help!

The most inexpensive thermostat that is still functional is the Hydrofarm. It's about $30. Here's a link:
http://firestormreptiles.com/weblog/...hermostat.html

Well sounds like your on the right path to giving this snake the proper home. :thumbup: I get real annoyed when I see these types of ads on Craigs list. Never understood why people get animals without doing their homework first.

I use a hydro farm thermostat with no issues yet for $35, it's better then a rheostat or nothing at all.

Get a accurite digital thermometer/hygrometer. Put the probe in the glass under substrate above uth. And the unit on cold side. Could take up to six hours to reach full heat potential.

Good luck!

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The Forest Floor cypress mulch from the pet shops come damp in the bag. That's not a problem.

To utilize a uth your substrate needs to be thin. Less than a 1/2 inch. I use about 1/4.

78 is fine for now and I would hold off until you get a tstat before using the uth. Your snake can burrow trying to get to the heat and a unregulated uth can really harm your snake.

Ok, thank you so much everyone! :) I just unplugged the UTH and won't resume using it until the thermostat arrives in a few days. Didn't really think about her burrowing down into the mulch. I'll keep this updated!

Oh, I have another question. She has been eating live all of her life according to the previous owner. I would rather try to convert her to frozen/thawed, but for right now should I just stick with live which is what she's used to? Or could I go ahead and try a switch? She is due for a feeding as they told me she hasn't eaten in two weeks. That's why they had given her the rat she threw up. :(

Did the previous owner say if they tried frozen before and it was refused?

If so, I would wait and get a few meals in it.

If not, you could certainly try and see what happens. I personally have had really good luck switching snakes to frozen. Just thaw thoroughly and serve hot.

After reading over this thread, my recommendation is to let her settle in before trying to feed. Let her hide for a week or two. It's hard to be patient but its important for the health of your snake. After that, there's no harm in offering a frozen thawed. One other thing, it may be hard for you to notice mites with the cypress so inspect her closely when you do hold her. =)

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Originally Posted by KMG

Did the previous owner say if they tried frozen before and it was refused?

If so, I would wait and get a few meals in it.

If not, you could certainly try and see what happens. I personally have had really good luck switching snakes to frozen. Just thaw thoroughly and serve hot.

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Thanks! No, they didn't say that they ever tried it. I'll give it a try then!

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Originally Posted by Emeraldtail

After reading over this thread, my recommendation is to let her settle in before trying to feed. Let her hide for a week or two. It's hard to be patient but its important for the health of your snake. After that, there's no harm in offering a frozen thawed. One other thing, it may be hard for you to notice mites with the cypress so inspect her closely when you do hold her. =)

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But she hasn't eaten in over two weeks? Isn't that going to stress her to not eat and be hungry? And will do with watching out for the mites! :)

She was out wandering the entire enclosure last night for a while. I'm thinking she's starting to feel more comfortable all ready. :)

It's a good sign that she started to eat the rat, even with all the disturbances (and not surprising at all that she chose not to finish it). Just offer her whatever you have access to this weekend (live or F/T). A small rat should be plenty (50-80g). "Large" rats are way more than a BP needs, and would explain why she wouldn't eat for weeks at a time for the previous owner.

Ok, thank you! :) I thought that large rat looked way too big for her. She seemed to be having a bit of trouble with it. I'll get her a small rat this weekend!

Another question. I got a temporary hydrometer from Petco but I am really looking to get a better one (as I've heard these are really inaccurate). What do you recommend I get? I was thinking acurite after hearing so much about them on here, but then I saw they can also be inaccurate? I have no idea what to get?

Herpstats are recommended and trusted by everyone I've spoken to. They're expensive but worth it. I have a Herpstat 1 coming in tomorrow / Wednesday. Check out spyderrobotics.com.

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Originally Posted by TheBallPython

Another question. I got a temporary hydrometer from Petco but I am really looking to get a better one (as I've heard these are really inaccurate). What do you recommend I get? I was thinking acurite after hearing so much about them on here, but then I saw they can also be inaccurate? I have no idea what to get?

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I have a couple of Accurites and they've been pure garbage. I always hear people rave about them, but mine show a 30-40% difference in humidity between the two, and the temps are always 10+ degrees off...at least. I don't know if I got bum ones, or they were damaged somehow, or what...:confusd:

A good Infrared Temp gun is invaluable. I can check every tub in all three racks in about a minute and I can rely on the readings. Lowe's/Home Depot usually have them fairly cheap.

As far as measuring humidity, I gave up on the Accurites and just wing it. Being on the east coast, humidity isn't really an issue so I'm lucky there.

Best 20 bucks you can spend http://www.lowes.com/pd_73790-56005-IRT207_0

Temp guns are invaluable. The problem is finding something to measure humidity. The problem I had with accurite is when I spray the case during shed the humidity goes up as high as 85 just street I spray. The accurite's don't last in the humidity. The screen sips working right. They are crap. I'm still trying to find something to properly measure humidity in my racks. As of now, I rely on the room humidity and adjust accordingly.

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What do you recommend for measuring room humidity? I worry because I have her enclosure in the same room as my chinchillas. The chinchillas require constant AC so I'm sure the humidity isn't the highest (although it's a basement so I'm sure there is still a decent amount even with the AC on). I've just been misting the tank and draped a wet towel over the top to try and increase the humidity. My petco guage does say it's 55-65%, but I realize that's most likely not accurate (and when I mist the humidity gauge goes up to 80%).

Also, I found her out this morning completely stretched up along the side of the tank with her nose at the screen, and she just sat there.. is that normal, or is something wrong (like her trying to get to the heat source)?

I'm not sure if I'm getting this right but your snake is in a glass tank inside an air conditioned room? What is your heat source? A/c makes it tougher to regulate the humidity along with heat lamps. Heat lamps and AC drastically dry out the air making it more work to keep the humidity at normal levels. Also an accurite thermo/hygro will keep room temp and humidity f fine.

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Originally Posted by TheBallPython

What do you recommend for measuring room humidity? I worry because I have her enclosure in the same room as my chinchillas. The chinchillas require constant AC so I'm sure the humidity isn't the highest (although it's a basement so I'm sure there is still a decent amount even with the AC on). I've just been misting the tank and draped a wet towel over the top to try and increase the humidity. My petco guage does say it's 55-65%, but I realize that's most likely not accurate (and when I mist the humidity gauge goes up to 80%).

Also, I found her out this morning completely stretched up along the side of the tank with her nose at the screen, and she just sat there.. is that normal, or is something wrong (like her trying to get to the heat source)?

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That's normal. Especially for a new snake in a new home or after rearranging its home. When you startle them they will freeze in place because they are trying to hide and hoping you can't see them.

You by a weather station for your home but most you will find are Accurite. I still think for the money they are pretty good. The best gauge of your humidity is your snake. After a shed you will see if the humidity was good and the longer you keep them the better you will become at being able to read your snake.

I promise you humid hides will make your sheds great.

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Originally Posted by scooter11

Temp guns are invaluable. The problem is finding something to measure humidity. The problem I had with accurite is when I spray the case during shed the humidity goes up as high as 85 just street I spray. The accurite's don't last in the humidity. The screen sips working right. They are crap. I'm still trying to find something to properly measure humidity in my racks. As of now, I rely on the room humidity and adjust accordingly.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

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Sounds like you are getting it wet. You should never directly mist any gauge or probe.

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Originally Posted by scooter11

I'm not sure if I'm getting this right but your snake is in a glass tank inside an air conditioned room? What is your heat source? A/c makes it tougher to regulate the humidity along with heat lamps. Heat lamps and AC drastically dry out the air making it more work to keep the humidity at normal levels. Also an accurite thermo/hygro will keep room temp and humidity f fine.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

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Yes, glass tank in an air conditioned room. The heat source at the moment is just her heat lamp and the temperature reading around the area of the lamp has been 80 degrees. The room never goes below 72 degrees. So, I don't keep it freezing down there. Just cool enough for the chins. I have the UTH, but was told to wait until my thermostat arrives (hopefully in a few days. latest it says will be on the 10th...).

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Originally Posted by KMG

That's normal. Especially for a new snake in a new home or after rearranging its home. When you startle them they will freeze in place because they are trying to hide and hoping you can't see them.

You by a weather station for your home but most you will find are Accurite. I still think for the money they are pretty good. The best gauge of your humidity is your snake. After a shed you will see if the humidity was good and the longer you keep them the better you will become at being able to read your snake.

I promise you humid hides will make your sheds great.

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Thank you! Ok, I will get an accurite then to at least keep an eye on the room humidity. I still don't think it's too bad, because most of the time it still feels humid to me down there. It's a basement and naturally humid. I also live on the east coast where it is very humid (most days 70-90%). As far as the humid hides go, should I do that all of the time? Or just in shed? I have moss for my fire belly toads that I could use for that right away. Do I line both hides or only one?

Thank you so much everyone for all of the help!

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Originally Posted by KMG

Sounds like you are getting it wet. You should never directly mist any gauge or probe.

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They're junk. I don't spray them if that's what you mean. I take them out when I spray. After I spray the humidity is getting inside them once it's replaced. The problem being that's what I need it for. I have a temp gun and the temps have always been fine. But I need them to read the humidity and they don't last. I wouldn't advise anyone to buy them.

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Ok, so she hasn't used her hides all day, while yesterday she wouldn't leave them? :confusd: This is how she's been the entire day, smooshed between her hide and the tank:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y11...psfb5abaa3.jpg

Did you change the hide or the temps? Mine likes to hide behind hers sometimes.

I changed the clay flower pot the guy had in there out for the two plastic hides I just got her two days ago. She used them the first night and all day yesterday, but now she won't go in them. The temp is the same as it's been.

They may be to tall. You could cut it in half so the ceiling of the hide is lower. Or just put a good clump of moss and maybe it will hide under the moss.

As for the humid hide. I leave the moss in all the time but I only keep it damp during a shed. The rest of the time I will spray it real good and allow it to dry back out.


These are cheap, sturdy, and easy to clean.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

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Originally Posted by scooter11

They're junk. I don't spray them if that's what you mean. I take them out when I spray. After I spray the humidity is getting inside them once it's replaced. The problem being that's what I need it for. I have a temp gun and the temps have always been fine. But I need them to read the humidity and they don't last. I wouldn't advise anyone to buy them.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

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I never take mine out and have a wireless sensor as a double redundancy that reports to a unit in my living room so I can monitor my cages from anywhere in the house. All the units are really close in both temp and humidity.
That's three accurite units that match three separate wireless units. They work for me fine. I have even compared them with my cigar hygrometer and they agreed with that.

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Originally Posted by KMG

They may be to tall. You could cut it in half so the ceiling of the hide is lower. Or just put a good clump of moss and maybe it will hide under the moss.

As for the humid hide. I leave the moss in all the time but I only keep it damp during a shed. The rest of the time I will spray it real good and allow it to dry back out.


These are cheap, sturdy, and easy to clean.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

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I cut them down a few inches and she went in no problem. Thanks! :) She was very huffy about me rooting around her cage though (kept puffing up). Hopefully she gets used to it.

Good deal. I'm glad I could help.

Some snakes huff and puff forever, its not a problem. Just a snake being a snake. All my bloods and occasionally my ball huff and puff. My lil hoggy likes to musk me, which is always fun.

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Originally Posted by KMG

I never take mine out and have a wireless sensor as a double redundancy that reports to a unit in my living room so I can monitor my cages from anywhere in the house. All the units are really close in both temp and humidity.
That's three accurite units that match three separate wireless units. They work for me fine. I have even compared them with my cigar hygrometer and they agreed with that.

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Yes the ones I use are the smaller ones that are kept inside the cage. They are fairly inexpensive. The ones kept outside the cage with the sensor inside it work quite well. But for something simple to keep in a tub in a rack, those are a waste of money IMO. The more expensive ones are probably better, but not economical when you have upwards of 30+ tubs. I'm still searching for an economical solution and open to suggestions

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I understand Scooter11. What about running a humidifier in your snake room? You could put it on a tstat like a Herpstat with a humidity sensor and keep the whole room constant. Then you would only need to monitor the room and I would monitor one cage on each side just to know what the tubs were sitting at.

In my tubs I don't track the humidity. I just mist daily and more often during a shed. I only track my pvc cage.

Hey guys, I have another question. It is now Saturday and I was planning on feeding today. The problem is, the hydrofarm still hasn't arrived yet. Should I feed her before the proper temperatures are in the tank? The tank has been getting to about 82 degrees. Not sure if they need higher temps to digest properly. And if the answer is yes, I should still feed, how do I go about thawing the rat? And I plan on feeding in separate area. How long do I wait after she eats to move her?

Thank you!

Oh, never mind. I just checked my tracking number and it's out for delivery! My other questions still stand though. And how long should it take to establish a proper heat gradiant? Where should I put the heat lamp now? On the same side as the UTH?

I would wait until you get your temperature up and the thermostat installed. He/she needs higher temps to digest.

As for the feeding in another enclosure.... completely unnecessary and in my noobish opinion, would be more stressful than anything as you would need to move her back to her tank/enclosure afterwards. She won't like being messed with for at least 24 hours after.

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Originally Posted by TheBallPython

Oh, never mind. I just checked my tracking number and it's out for delivery! My other questions still stand though. And how long should it take to establish a proper heat gradiant? Where should I put the heat lamp now? On the same side as the UTH?

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Oops, we were posting at the same time. The heat lamp you will want on your hot side. Are you going to put it on a dimmer? That will help as those lamps can get toasty. Won't take too long to get your temps up once both are set up. Don't rush it, let it gradually increase with the dimmer <provided you use one> on the low side. You aren't too far off on your temps now. Should be an hour or so???? The veteran guys here would know better.

I just heard that giving them another feeding place can help prevent them from being aggressive in the tank. I know a ton of BP owners do it?

And no, I don't have my lamp on a dimmer. I didn't even know you could. I'll have to get one today. I am confused though.. first you say put the lamp on the hot side, but then talk about using the dimmer on the cool side? And it is my assumption that the UTH goes on the warm side, correct?