New Bp

Hello everyone, I would show you my first ball python and asking you if my set up is ok. She's only 2 month old. Actually I have put she in a small box that I will change tomorrow with a big one. This is a photo http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/25/e8eqyqe5.jpg
(Sorry for my English but I'm writing from Italy)

No the setup is not ok! the heat pad should be under no more than 25% of her enclosure, and she needs a hide on the warm side! That plastic deli cup will flip in no time when he/she tries to drink. and the enclosure itself is way too small for that size bp. UPGRADE IMMEDIATLY!

Ok, thank you . I bought she yesterday, today I will change her cage and set up it on a right way.

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Agreed, the heat needs to be only under 1/3 of her tub. I don't see that tub size as being too small for a hatchling...if you upgrade don't go much bigger.

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Once you put a hide in there which is needed there will be zero room, also that snake seems to not be a hatchling, seems like it has some decent size to it.
Not saying to get a huge enclosure, but based on the size of the snake in that tub id go a bit bigger.

How much the hide should be big?

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Originally Posted by Matteoskull

How much the hide should be big?

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Large enough for the animal to fit snugly. Upgrade to at least a 32qt tub.

maybe im missing something....

but i cannot figure out how the temperature is controlled. heaters (unless they are extremely low output, like 5 watt or 8 watt) need to be controlled by a thermostat. how is it done here?

An uncontrolled heat source on a plastic tub is asking for a fire. Please get a thermoSTAT asap. That is the MOST important thing before upgrading size of tub or anything else for that matter.

And welcome!!
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Does anyone have a link to a very detailed set of instructions for setting up a brand new vive for balls? This would be helpful to the OP I think :)

I'm on my phone and have no idea how to post links, but OP browse through the husbandry section on the forum, also please check out the ball python care sheet also on this forum

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1) It looks like a baby
2) For a baby, that size tub or 6qts is fine, even with a hide. A 32qt might stress it out. Best wait till its at least 500+ g before upgrading to a 32, just in case its not a strong eater.
3) suggestion: use paper towel substrate.
4)the heat pad should only be 1/3 of the tub, preferable under the hide.
5) if you don't have a thermostat(not thermometer), do not use the heat pad.

Read this tub set up tutorial
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=139156

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Originally Posted by Pythonfriend

maybe im missing something....

but i cannot figure out how the temperature is controlled. heaters (unless they are extremely low output, like 5 watt or 8 watt) need to be controlled by a thermostat. how is it done here?

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Thermostats come with instruction manuals...read them and all will be clear. Personally I hate the damn things...I have been fighting with two of mine for the last two days...if they keep dropping the temp I am going to have RI on my hands...hopefully having it fixed today when I get home and put the damn probe in the cage itself using some silicon, putting it between the pad and cage resulted in my retics having a basking spot of 79F when the F****** machine is set to minimum 90F and max 94F...pieces of junk in my eyes right now, the only reason I have begun regulating my higher watt mats is due to energy efficiency..I never had these issues when I operated with unregulated pads.

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Originally Posted by Physician&Snakes

Thermostats come with instruction manuals...read them and all will be clear. Personally I hate the damn things...I have been fighting with two of mine for the last two days...if they keep dropping the temp I am going to have RI on my hands...hopefully having it fixed today when I get home and put the damn probe in the cage itself using some silicon, putting it between the pad and cage resulted in my retics having a basking spot of 79F when the F****** machine is set to minimum 90F and max 94F...pieces of junk in my eyes right now, the only reason I have begun regulating my higher watt mats is due to energy efficiency..I never had these issues when I operated with unregulated pads.

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What brand are you using? A quality tstat should go above 94.

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Originally Posted by satomi325

What brand are you using? A quality tstat should go above 94.

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I will look when I get home, I bought those two used from a friend, the receipt was dated for 2011 so they are from being out of commission. Right now I am hitting 85F for basking but I had to crank up the max to 100F, based on what my temp gun is telling me all this nonsense should stop when I attach the probe to the floor of the cage today...if not then I am using the damn things for target practice.

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Originally Posted by Physician&Snakes

Thermostats come with instruction manuals...read them and all will be clear. Personally I hate the damn things...I have been fighting with two of mine for the last two days...if they keep dropping the temp I am going to have RI on my hands...hopefully having it fixed today when I get home and put the damn probe in the cage itself using some silicon, putting it between the pad and cage resulted in my retics having a basking spot of 79F when the F****** machine is set to minimum 90F and max 94F...pieces of junk in my eyes right now, the only reason I have begun regulating my higher watt mats is due to energy efficiency..I never had these issues when I operated with unregulated pads.

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yes, i mean, no, we have a misunderstanding here...


i know how thermostats work, i posted and asked because in the picture in the first post, i see a big fat UTH, but i dont see a temperature probe, i dont see a cable for one, i dont see a thermostat or any kind of display. so my question about how its done in this case was directed to the OP, to find out if he has a thermostat or not. i didnt want to accuse him of using an unregulated heat source right away because maybe its just not visible in the picture somehow. but i do get the weird feeling that maybe he is using that UTH without any control.

Reading the OPs posts he is absolutely clueless,I don't get how ppl get pets with not a basic understanding atleast...I just will never understand ppl..I wish this poor little snake all the luck..

This is scarey,poor snake....

Ok you don't need to keep posting to make people feel bad... instead how about telling him how to correct it

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Originally Posted by Crazymonkee

Ok you don't need to keep posting to make people feel bad... instead how about telling him how to correct it

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Exactly! I agree there should have been some research done before acquiring the BP, but atleast he took the incentive to seek help with caring for it.

Continue making improvements (the sooner, the better) towards providing your BP with a safe and comfortable living space. The more comfortable the BP is, the more you'll enjoy his/her company! :gj:

Why you should say that? Being this my first snake is obviously that I don't say everything about BPs and his breeding. Although it's in my intention to keep this animal as the best I can do. Maybe when you bought your first snake you were knowing everything about it, and so you haven't been mistakes. I'm asking some issues about my breeding errors because I want to keep my bp in the best way. However this afternoon I have buy a new tub and fixed the bowl to the tub. Tomorrow I'll buy an adequate hide

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Originally Posted by Matteoskull

Why you should say that? Being this my first snake is obviously that I don't say everything about BPs and his breeding. Although it's in my intention to keep this animal as the best I can do. Maybe when you bought your first snake you were knowing everything about it, and so you haven't been mistakes. I'm asking some issues about my breeding errors because I want to keep my bp in the best way. However this afternoon I have buy a new tub and fixed the bowl to the tub. Tomorrow I'll buy an adequate hide

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Matteoskull, don't take anything this numbnut says seriously. He never has anything positive to say to anyone, we all take everything he says with a,grain of salt.

You're doing fine on getting him set up properly, just keep asking questions when you have them. Your learning curve is natural. :)

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Originally Posted by Matteoskull

Why you should say that? Being this my first snake is obviously that I don't say everything about BPs and his breeding. Although it's in my intention to keep this animal as the best I can do. Maybe when you bought your first snake you were knowing everything about it, and so you haven't been mistakes. I'm asking some issues about my breeding errors because I want to keep my bp in the best way. However this afternoon I have buy a new tub and fixed the bowl to the tub. Tomorrow I'll buy an adequate hide

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I wouldn't worry what NYHC4LIFE8899 says. No one else does. He's insecure so he spends his time trying to put everyone down so he can feel smart for once.

You just keep asking questions when you need to. Everyone else here will be more than happy to help you.

Thank you to everyone. I attach a photo of the tub how actually is http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/26/8u4u6u6a.jpg

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It needs a hide! And with that cord there on the side, I hope you have a hole in the cover to allow it to close up completely so it can't escape.

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Originally Posted by Matteoskull

Thank you to everyone. I attach a photo of the tub how actually is http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/26/8u4u6u6a.jpg

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Hey there OP that looks better, get a hide when you can :) it will help with settling and security.

Is that a thermostat probe? if so the way it should be set up is heat mat, then probe, then enclosure on top :) Also make sure your enclosure secures firmly and has airholes, they are escape artists when they want to be. Are your ventilation holes on the lid of the tub you have? :)

The cord running into your tub, it looks like the probe, if it is you should secure it to the tub directly over the heat pad to get accurate temps.
put a hole in the lower side of the tub and run it in. you must secure it so the snake cant move it.
Good luck and keep asking questions but also read the care sheets here.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...a0b773a27e350d

These are two of my tubs you may be able to see the heat mat positioning on the smaller one. The small (12l) one houses my hatchling spider; 2 hides and a water bowl. I also have a digital hygrometer/thermometer in there. He had shed perfectly and eaten both times with me. My hides are small plastic bowls with doors cut in and smoothed with a lighter and my water bowl is a small ceramic dish. My smaller rubs (9l) are also set up this way.

The larger one has my 600g boy in, I know you should have two hides so I am going against the norm here but this guy also eats/poos etc fine just for an idea on my set up. The probes are between the heat mat and the enclosures :)

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Originally Posted by Naom9Anne

Hey there OP that looks better, get a hide when you can :) it will help with settling and security.

Is that a thermostat probe? if so the way it should be set up is heat mat, then probe, then enclosure on top.

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Was'nt sure if that probe will fit under the tub if you can that would be better but definitely get a thermostat to control the temps .

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Originally Posted by brock lesser

Was'nt sure if that probe will fit under the tub if you can that would be better but definitely get a thermostat to control the temps .

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My probes are a little chunky but seem to work and keep temps :) it's just something I've read a lot although I'm not saying it is the only option of course, some people do see them up differently :)

Yes the probe is a thermostat that now I have put directly up the heat mat. Thank you again for your helpfulness :). However tomorrow I'll buy two hides. Naom9Anne how much is the weight of your spider?

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Originally Posted by Matteoskull

Yes the probe is a thermostat that now I have put directly up the heat mat. Thank you again for your helpfulness :). However tomorrow I'll buy two hides. Naom9Anne how much is the weight of your spider?

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My spider is quite small, he was only 99g when full last time. He was 87g when I bought him. He was only born on the 6th October this year so he is a baby, baby :)

I have a 66g albino and a 91g bumblebee (both weighed after a meal) who are in ones very slightly smaller but with the same hides and bowl.

Bumblebee is a very great morph in my opinion. I ask you that because I would know how you feed your hatchling snake, if you use a f/t, prekilled or live

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Of course, all of mind have F/T :)

My spider is feeding very well on F/T small mice, my albino is on F/T small rat pups (which here is between a rat pinkie and a rat fuzzie) and my bumblebee is on small rat fluffs. I have only had them for two feeds each but they fed very well. I posted a thread showing pictures of them feeding last night in general BP's under 'My babies fed!' if you are interested :)

Great job on fixing things OP! :)
After you get the hides he should be one comfy little dude

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Good job OP.

Ask a billion questions and absorb as much as you can.

Do you know a fast way for teach my bp eating f/t? Because the seller says me that she doesn't feed f/t but just only live. Anyway I have still not give her food yet because I'm waiting for Friday

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There is no 'fast' way. You can attempt to feed F/T and you may get lucky. All of mine were bought as F/T feeders which is the norm in the UK.

You can try with F/T but if your BP won't eat F/T you may need to feed live and then offer F/T later. You may even have a BP on your hands who will only eat live. It does happen but each BP is different :)

Thank you for yours answer. :)

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I would try to feed what it is accustomed to for the first couple feedings, after it is eating consistently then try the switch.
It is up to you whether you want to try f/t first, but don't be discouraged if it doesn't eat. Wait 5-7 days and try with a live then. :)

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Ok, I'll try in this way and I will refresh you about the result. Today I have built an hide, this is a photo of it. Shall I make it more small? http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/26/nemehe2u.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/26/use3u4en.jpg

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Maybe making it with less height? They should fit very snugly into their hides.

I would also put some fake plants over the top of it when possible as the top is quite exposed with the holes, this might not make your BP feel secure. All of my hides are fully covered/opaque apart from door cut in :)

If you think it'll be too small... it's probably perfect!! The like to have to squeeze them in there lol. My 400gram girl loves her hide from when she was just a hatchling, and it really only fits her like a hat now lol :)

Hers was actually a take out container for a side dish that I cut an entrance into

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It's a decent hide if it weren't so tall and the holes at the top weren't even there. They don't need fresh air in their hide since they can poke their heads out to look around. They need the fresh air from the top of the container though. You could even use a small plastic cup as a hide and your snake would probably love it.

I've found that sometimes when I lift my snake's hide up, he tries to smush himself to the outsides of it to try to stay in it, though he's too large to actually stick inside of it. So be sure the hide can withstand a snake pressing out from within it without falling apart haha.

I have changed it this afternoon with a smaller hide without holes in the upper part. But how powerful can be a snake? Today handling my 97 Gr BP I've seen that she is really strong when is ties my fingers. Another question, I see some breeders that put inside their cage or tub a bamboo, is it useless or useful?

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Bamboo as in some sort of log ornament, they are just that, an ornament. You can have things like that in and a snake may or may not use it. My snakes have very simple set ups and are happy enough. I bring them out for regular handling and let them roam around under supervision.

Snakes can get quite strong as they grow but as you have a young BP you will adapt with it and get used to the strength they can hold in their muscles. My 640g boy gives a fab neck massage when he moves around!

As they do get stronger with age it is always recommended to have a very secure lid if you are using a plastic tub (or secure enclosure in general) as it can get to the stage where they can push out should they try. I have one which clips them securely although none of mine have tried to escape yet, that I've seen at least :) Your current tub with be fine for your BP though! :)

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Originally Posted by Matteoskull

I have changed it this afternoon with a smaller hide without holes in the upper part. But how powerful can be a snake? Today handling my 97 Gr BP I've seen that she is really strong when is ties my fingers. Another question, I see some breeders that put inside their cage or tub a bamboo, is it useless or useful?

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Like a stick to climb?
Juvenile Ball Pythons will gladly climb, but, as a species they aren't really known for spending much time in shrubs and trees. Although, they can climb their heavier body structure doesn't lend itself to making an agile or graceful climber.
This will be one of those things that is strictly your preference the snake will be happy with or without it.

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Originally Posted by Mr Oni

Good job OP.

Ask a billion questions and absorb as much as you can.

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This. Ignore the haters. You're trying your best to make a perfect life for your little guy, and the willingness to learn and improve yourself and your keeping skills is the most important thing! We all have made amateur mistakes and did not start knowing everything. You just gotta learn from them. And asking a ton of questions, and doing a ton of research. Keep it up!