New Ball Python Owner. Checking in.

Hey Guys / Gals. Just wanted to check in. New Ball Python owner here.

I'm originally from Australia. I've just moved to Southern Florida in the past year, and have always had a great interest in reptiles. Most of my previous experience and knowledge was with Amphibians. I used to work in Australia for the Armadale rescue. Specifically with Whites, but varying tree frog species.


I've always been obsessed and inlove with snakes. particularly the Ball Python, since I was 15 years old and toured Africa. I'm 32 now, however residing in Australia I've never been able to own one. Until now. This has been a dream come true. As not only do I deeply love and respect the animal, I find them stunning. and I'm literally mesmerized by them. No crazy morphs needed.



Point in case. Upon settling into Florida from Australia. I've put in the research, time, set up the enclosure and finally, the last stage. Picked up my female baby ball python. I had originally planned on going through a breeder. However as fate would have it. Someone was getting 'rid' of a yearling ball python, that they could no longer care for.

After visiting their property in florida, and seeing the setup they were using. They had no idea what they were doing. I feel for a yearling, from my research she is a little underfed, and undersized. They said she has been in their possession (im guessing from hatchling) for over a year, however they are still feeding her a fuzzie per week)

But I look forward to doing for her what I can. Been giving her a fuzzie twice weekly, which she's taken happily, however I'm getting ready to try and switch her to rat pups. Any advice or comments on this would be really appreciated.



She's been in my possession now for a little under 4 weeks. I ended up buying her all new tanks and setup. And I feel my husbandry is spot on. 90% hotside. UTH heater inplace regulated by a quality Thermostat. 78% coolside. Ambient temps of around 82 - 83. Humidity in the morning is 55, afternoon to night is 57. Dropping to 55 by morning. I'm obsessive with numbers and regulating environments. So I feel confident I can give her the the best of what she needs.


I realise tanks aren't the best option. However I really do love the display. I've solved the humidity issue related with glass 'tanks' by covering 3/4 of the screen top with aluminum foil. With areas cutout to allow for light / heat flow from the day, and night lights as you can see on top. As well as allowing sufficient ventilation. Bedding is Aspen. Two hides are available. The tree stump you see on the left is hollowed out. Which she loves to move to when she's seeking heat. On the cool side (the right) there's a conventional hide, behind the log, which she also makes use of.



She seems to be settling in well. She's taken food 3 weeks running, with no hesitation. I'm feeding her in her tank, as I don't buy into the alternative (out of tank) feeding BS. Shes incredibly docile, and sweet natured. I've fallen in love already. This has really been a dream come true.




Eitherway enjoy the attached pictures. Pick apart anything im doing wrong, and I'm excited to be apart of this community, this forum, for my past few months of research has truely been invaluable. I'm just so proud to be an owner of such a gorgeous majestic animal.

http://i.imgur.com/FDO1oL7.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/R8pgmAh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5LZtrUH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SeetGfT.jpg

Thanks for taking the time to read this <3 I appreciate it.

Regards,

Mark (Navaro)

Nice setup, as long as the numbers are right your fine.
You could go for a pvc cage at some point, but for now,
don't fix it if it ain't broke! lol!

Cheers mate. I appreciate the reply. I've seen those pvc cages, they are excellent. As no doubtly my collection grows, I will definately look into that. The pre made bought ones looks excellent.

I also need to look into reputable Florida breeders for future purchases. I dont like the idea of mailing an animal. No matter how 'well' its done.

There are quite a few breeders in fla. I would also check out the shows,
got some good ones there, no shipping required.
Welcome and have fun.

Welcome! Nice set up!

That is a nice setup, I bet it's a pain to clean though.lol

Cheers for the replies, I appreciate it.

Cleaning wise its not too bad. As sadistic as it is, I actually kind of enjoy it. I've always worked around Vivariums and such. Planted and not its something I enjoy =P Any excuse to get in there and redo it once a month is enjoyable for me =P


Although people think I'm weird when we are watching TV, and instead of looking at the screen I'm just gazing into the tank hours on end lol.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Navaro

Been giving her a fuzzie twice weekly, which she's taken happily, however I'm getting ready to try and switch her to rat pups. Any advice or comments on this would be really appreciated.

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Very nice setup you have there! As for switching feeders, I would just offer the rat pup and see if she takes it. She's young enough and likely hungry enough that she may just grab it. If she doesn't, try offering the mouse first and then the rat since she's used to getting two prey items.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Very nice setup you have there! As for switching feeders, I would just offer the rat pup and see if she takes it. She's young enough and likely hungry enough that she may just grab it. If she doesn't, try offering the mouse first and then the rat since she's used to getting two prey items.

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That was great advice. I appreciate it. She happily and quite agressively took the Rat pup today without hesitation. I'm so excited.

Cheers

Cool. Next step - get a digital kitchen scale that will give weights in grams, and figure out how much your little girl weighs. You can give her a prey item that weighs 10-15% of her body weight every five days until she reaches 500 grams, then a small rat weekly afterward.

Welcome, and CONGRATS! It sounds as if you are enjoying the experience; love to hear that!!
Your setup sounds spot on! I think all good there, so don't worry :) My thoughts about feeding are, if the rat is about the size of the widest part of the body, it is good. Rat pups are probably okay - sad to hear that the snake was fed so little though - but ultimately it will be your call. You're going to do great, keep it up!

I personally am looking forward to when you tell us you're getting another one... ;)

All the best!

I plan on steadily increasing the size of her meals. I just didn't want to jump from something so small right away. She's been eating so well so I'm confident we'll get there.


And in regards to another one? oh it will happen. I've already been eyeballing reputable breeders here in Florida =P So if anyone has any experience with any great breeders Lemme know!

My previous house in Australia looked like a zoo with all the rescue animals I'd end up bringing home during their care. Can't wait to get a collection going again.

Welcome! That's a very attractive setup. Pretty snake too. I'm glad she found a good home with you.

As for meeting some Florida breeders, you should check out a Repticon show next time there's one in your area. Here are the ones coming up in south Florida:

August 9 - Sarasota
August 30 & 31 - West Palm Beach
September 6 - New Port Richey
September 12 & 13 - FIRExpo in Lakeland
November 8 & 9 - Tampa
November 15 & 16 - Fort Lauderdale
January 3 - Fort Myers

There's also the South Florida Herpetological society. http://www.southflherp.org/

Thanks a much for that post. Im actually near west palm beach myself, so will definitely make plans to go. Cheers

Here's a better photo of her from today. Shes finally starting to put on a bit of weight. Which is nice to see.

We'll get there... eventually. I've ordered some quality digital scales. So I'll be interested to track her weight over the coming months. I've also ordered some Animal Plastic stuff for my future 'collection' >.> This is going to get addictive

When I got her, the previous owner wasn't using a heatpad. Was using a 10 gallon fish tank. With fish tank pebbles lining the bottom. No hides. Feeding her a fuzzie mouse once a week. >.> They had her in their possesion for just over 12 months. :mad:


http://i.imgur.com/RmeHwnF.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3c5a3Uc.jpg



Also have done a little re-arranging. I added a hide on the warmside next to the log, just to give her a little extra security. You can also see the hollowed out stump I spoke about earlier. She still favors the coolside hide despite temps being spot on, but I figure she knows what she's doing.

http://i.imgur.com/xToN2y4.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/zxGkYFW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/49UIEJz.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/r9WEzZh.jpg

Nice. Keep up the good work and she will grow in no time. And yes this is addicting.

This is why I love glass tanks so much. A lot of work but gorgeous. :D She is lucky to have you! I'm loving the stump

Thanks Cyndy. I agree :D

http://i.imgur.com/7gENBIj.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/OdGgzAr.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mBsR2uV.jpg


Just love this girl. She's gorgeous, and really makes my day when she pokes her head out as I walk past.

Just wanted to post an update. This girl is up to 600 grams. As of today. She's still feeding like a champ. I've been offering every 5 days, and she hasn't skipped a beat.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this community. <3 much love.

Will post some update pictures in a few days. She's just been fed, so don't want to disturb her.

Just another update to this thread, and my girl.

She had her first shed with me last week. It couldn't have been more perfect. From a girl with a history (with her previous owner) of bad sheds, she nailed it this time! Eyecaps and all!


It's nice to know everything your doing is spot on.

http://i.imgur.com/P85DJQT.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/xoAgB7D.jpg

Nice set up. It looks very nice.what your feeding her seems rather small.good rule of thumb is to feed her 10-15% of her body weigh but sence u don't have a scale give her a meal size as big at the thickest part of her body. She will plump up nicely. She's a beautiful looking girl by th way.

Welcome to Florida! I'm on the opposite side of Florida from you but I'm sure there are a lot of good breeders over there as well. Your setup looks great! I wish I could give all of my babies that kind of enclosure but I'd have to live in a shed if I tried to do that lol. Although, I have been thinking about making a big enclosure just for them to "stretch out and roam" for short periods of time. It seems like you've done your research which is refreshing to hear and it's nice to know that the normals are still appreciated :gj:.

As far as feeding size, if she's 600g then rat pups are pretty small imo. I would go with a weened or small depending on how the rat breeder sizes their rats.

I should note she's eating two a feed (the pups I have weigh around 30 grams each give or take) untill what I have is used up. She's not just getting one :p

thanks for the comments ! Loving florida so far. Just can't wait for repticon. I have an addition two animal plastic setups ready to go, just need to find somthing to live in them :D

Very cool! I bet she's glad you have her now!


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Cheers dude. Appreciate that.


Btw, your Mojave Super Nazca on your website makes me *drool*. Stunning snake.