New BP owner.

This is my first Ball Python... actually my first snake in general and I don't really know what I'm doing yet. I don't know how old it is, the pet store didn't tell us anything when we got him/her. Her name is Semii
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...bb840df2ce.jpg

How do I tell if it's male or female?

How do I figure out how old it is?

I've had her for about 2 1/2 months now not knowing when she had her last meal and the first month and a half she refused the pinkies (the guy that was at the pet store told us that's what she had eaten before.. We kept trying to feed her the pinkies every 4-5 days and she kept refusing. So finally I went and bought the f/t fuzzies. She snapped that out of the tongs quicker than I could even blink. She swallowed it withing 10 mins. And didn't even look like she had eaten. Fed her another fuzzie 4 days later and she swallowed it within 5-10 mins. I tried feeding her again a couple days ago which makes it a week since the last meal, this time the rodent was a little bit larger and she refused. So are pinkies too small, small mouse too big, but fuzzies just right?

Oh. I think she's about a foot and a half to 2 foot. Haven't measured her yet.

You don't know what you are doing? You mean you didn't research the needs of your animal before you got him? :colbert::colbert::colbert:

It would be hard to say how old the snake is. There are a lot of factors to consider when you don't know the hatch date. The most accurate way to determine sex is by probing. Please don't do it yourself if you don't know what you are doing. :colbert::colbert::colbert:

Fuzzies and pinks are far too small for that snake. It can easily take rat pups.

Good luck!!:gj:

Start here: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

And here: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ALL-caresheets!

Finally, most big box pet store employees are clueless about reptiles. A healthy hatchling BP can take a mouse hopper.

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Originally Posted by albinos_rule

You don't know what you are doing? You mean you didn't research the needs of your animal before you got him? :colbert::colbert::colbert:

It would be hard to say how old the snake is. There are a lot of factors to consider when you don't know the hatch date. The most accurate way to determine sex is by probing. Please don't do it yourself if you don't know what you are doing. :colbert::colbert::colbert:

Fuzzies and pinks are far too small for that snake. It can easily take rat pups.

Good luck!!:gj:

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I looked up basic stuff, but I'm trying to learn more. I want my bp to have a happy life.

Also, I just weighed her. She's 86g

bcr229s post is really useful. Those care sheets talk about how to correctly set up an enclosure and handle your snake. Pretty much every health concern (including eating) has roots in proper husbandry. Though your snake is eating, if not regularly so that is a good sign.

The rule of thumb of food items is that the item is as big around as the snake. This can be off a little (like in the cases of two foot long 86g BPs) if your snake is not eating well already but like a said its a rule of thumb, a good guideline, and discussed in the care sheets.

There is frankly no way to tell how old it it, at least for a casual hobbyist. But there are a couple of methods for determining gender though I would hold off on doing so until after the snake is comfortable and eating regularly and the added stress will not overwhelm it.

After you read the care sheets please post a description, and photos are great, of your enclosure if you have any questions. There is a great community here to help.

She's been eating regularly for the past 3 weeks now.
We just fed her a couple minutes ago and she swallowed the fuzzy within 6 mins.

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Originally Posted by Velrys

bcr229s post is really useful. Those care sheets talk about how to correctly set up an enclosure and handle your snake. Pretty much every health concern (including eating) has roots in proper husbandry. Though your snake is eating, if not regularly so that is a good sign.

The rule of thumb of food items is that the item is as big around as the snake. This can be off a little (like in the cases of two foot long 86g BPs) if your snake is not eating well already but like a said its a rule of thumb, a good guideline, and discussed in the care sheets.

There is frankly no way to tell how old it it, at least for a casual hobbyist. But there are a couple of methods for determining gender though I would hold off on doing so until after the snake is comfortable and eating regularly and the added stress will not overwhelm it.

After you read the care sheets please post a description, and photos are great, of your enclosure if you have any questions. There is a great community here to help.

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http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...88decc9656.jpg

ok,

There are a couple of modifications that need to be made to your enclosure.

1.) Remove the heat rock

2.) Place the UTH under the hide

It kind of looks like you're trying to produce a basking area on the right side of your tank? Snakes don't bask so this is unnecessary.

The heat lamp looks like its on the side of the tank. Try moving it to the middle of the top to provide an ambient heat to the entire tank.

It looks like you have condensation inside the tank, which means your humidity is much higher than it needs to be, which is in the 50% to 60% range.

Honestly a lot of this stuff is covered in the care sheets and stickies in the husbandry forums, you might want to take another look.

Again, this is information from bcr229's links but...

How are you controlling your heat sources? How are you measuring your temperatures? What are they?

Going to get a secondary hide for her tomorrow after work hopefully. The condensation is just from me misting the sides of her tank to create some humidity. There's still a lot I want to add to her home but money is tight at the moment so I have to do little by litte. I just have a reptile temp strip in the tank. Right now I'm just turning the uth on and off till I can get a timer.

Ok,

I'm serious, REMOVE the heat rock. See if you can get your money back or whatever but GET IT OUT of the enclosure.

Don't get another hide, your lack of reliable stable heat is your biggest problem and it is a BIG problem, the biggest in fact.

the UTH is going to get way too hot if its just plugged into the wall. Don't use it until you can control the output. Do this with a thermoSTAT, NOT a timer.

I guess you should put the temp strip on the substrate to get the best reading but even an analog thermometer would be an upgrade but ultimately you will want a digital or even better, an IR. Use this to try to get mid to high 80s in the tank with the lamp.

And READ, you said you know the basic stuff, I'm not sure what you meant because this is the basic stuff.

^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^

That thermoSTAT for the UTH is the most important piece of equipment you need to get right now. Without one the UTH can get hot enough to burn your snake in just a few minutes. The vet bill to treat a burn is many times the price of a thermostat.

Hides are easy to make, put some loosely crumpled-up paper in there for your snake to hide under, and call it done.

Is the purpose of the snake a recent one? Because something looks really wrong with the tip of its face, looks like a scab/sore.

Can't edit my previous post, meant to say picture, not purpose.

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Originally Posted by carlisleishere

Is the purpose of the snake a recent one? Because something looks really wrong with the tip of its face, looks like a scab/sore.

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I was going to mention that! It looks like he's been rubbing his face and looks very sore. I'd advise a visit to a reptile vet ASAP. I was also told in a tank that big for such a young snake to provide lots of other stuff like fake plants, extra hide (definitely over the UTH!!), and stuff for him to feel more secure. Also with a glass tank with screen? top you will need to cover it to maintain ambient temp and humidity. And yes REMOVE THE HEAT ROCK! They are dangerous to your snake. Please read the links, they hVe really helped me! I read everything I could get my hands on before getting my girls but so much is different in practice! Good luck with him/her. BTW the vet can tell you the sex too.


Molly & Steve
0.1 Normal BP. PRECIOUCESS
0.1 Normal Columbian BCI. LUNA

There's no scab or anything. It's all smooth. It's just colored like she had been eating chocolate or something.

As everyone has already said, remove the heat rock because they are dangerous and are known to burn animals. I'm not sure what species a heat rock is made for, but it's definitely not a ball python so see if you can get your money back for it. A 55 gallon tank is way too big for a baby like yours, but If you fill the tank with LOTS of things like plants and hides and such it will help your snake feel more secure. But as you mentioned, money is tight so if you don't have the money for fake plants and such you can crumple up paper towels to add more security.

I just want to say that you seem a bit irresponsible. You said you learned the basics, but obviously not because this is the basics. And you purchased your snake when "money is tight". So now you can't provide proper care for it. It needs plants and hides and a thermostat and you can't provide those things. I would suggest taking the snake back and waiting until you're in a more stable place financially before purchasing another one. And I'd also encourage purchasing directly from a breeder because pet stores are notorious for selling unhealthy animals. Especially if it's a big chain pet store. But you may have gotten lucky and purchased a healthy animal!

Good luck!


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Originally Posted by Ballpythoncrazy

As everyone has already said, remove the heat rock because they are dangerous and are known to burn animals. I'm not sure what species a heat rock is made for, but it's definitely not a ball python so see if you can get your money back for it

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They're not good for any species, reptile or otherwise. They're made by people who thought it was a good idea and continue to be produced because the pet stores still somehow manage to sell them to people without properly warning them. Same things go for certain bedding materials, really (ie. crushed walnut, which is advertised for beardies, but is essentially a death sentence).

The the OP; Don't get overwhelmed, now. I noticed this back when I had an iguana on a different site, but it can seem sometimes like the people on forums like this are almost attacking you for some admittedly beginner husbandry errors, but that's not how it is. Everyone wants to see every animal happy and well cared for, which is now your responsibility as an owner. Take a deep breath and every piece of advice given with a grain of salt, and just know that no one is trying to attack you.

On to some more positive things! Keeping reptiles on a budget is totally doable, so long as you have your priorities straight. Firstly; a thermostat has to be high on your list of things to get. A burned snake is a very bad thing. If you can take the heat rock back (as this is more likely to burn your snake than an unregulated UTH) and get a refund, that should at least put you in range for some of the thermostats they have in the petstores (usually kept in the same areas as the heat rocks, you can get a cheap one for around 35 dollars). Second! Mouse fuzzies are way too small. I did this with my first as well, and I had bought myself a bag of 50 of the damn things when I got her. Bump up the food sizes, mouse hoppers or rat pups are ideal, though if you have bulk fuzzies like I did you can try feeding two at a time. I know someone said a secondary hide isn't very important, but a 55 gallon tank is pretty big for a snake that small, so I would say go for it. The same kind of wooden hide there is probably your cheapest option, plus they're generally available in bigger sizes than the rock looking ones, though you'll learn they are a pain in the ass to clean (Spot clean all the time, you'll thank yourself for it). Also if you can manage it, some extra decoration (foliage, driftwood, etc) would help your snake to feel a little more secure, as little snakes in big tanks tend to stress out.

In that order:
Heat regulation
Properly sized food item
hides and decoration

While you're doing all this, browse the forums and look up some videos of BP keepers. The more you know about your little one, the better off he or she will be. Also at your original question about telling gender; unless your planning on breeding, the gender is whatever you think it is (read; it doesn't matter, and finding out can be stressful/unnecessary for a pet snake).

It's true budgets suck, but with the proper priorities thanks Daigga! there is no reason your snake won't be happy in no time!

Something you may want to look at, after the thermostat, when you are getting larger food... look around at breeders in the area. I buy from a site called RodentPro.com that ships bulk rats. While this is not a good option for you, it means that these people are getting properly sized food items at a buck a piece and can maybe turn around and help you out without charging 2 dollars for a tiny mouse like petstores do.

Now everyone pretend I didn't say that, I'm sure it illegal some how.

Hides and stuff to make his home more cozy, therefore making him feel safer don't have to be logs or other popular pet store purchases. He will be just as happy in an appropriate sized ice cream container upside down with a hole cut in it! Or balled up paper as one person suggested. Look on Craig's list for bargain decorations for sale. Be sure to sterilize them in a 10% bleach solution first! Also a wLk in the woods can provide a nice branch to climb on. Bake it for 20 min in the oven at 350f to kill any unwanted passengers. Aluminum foil works great over a screen top, and a wet wash cloth between the two raises humidity nicely. Cardboard and inexpensive woodsy looking wallpaper taped to sides and back of glass tank help hold in heat well too. Or bubble wrap. But the thermostat is a MUST!


Molly & Steve
0.1 Normal BP. PRECIOUCESS
0.1 Normal Columbian BCI. LUNA

You say I seem irresponsible because I'm asking for advice on how to take care of my snake?, my bad. I won't ask for advice anymore so I won't know whether or not I'm properly taking care of her. I didn't purchase my snake when money was tight, but unexpected things happen in life.

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Originally Posted by Ballpythoncrazy

As everyone has already said, remove the heat rock because they are dangerous and are known to burn animals. I'm not sure what species a heat rock is made for, but it's definitely not a ball python so see if you can get your money back for it. A 55 gallon tank is way too big for a baby like yours, but If you fill the tank with LOTS of things like plants and hides and such it will help your snake feel more secure. But as you mentioned, money is tight so if you don't have the money for fake plants and such you can crumple up paper towels to add more security.

I just want to say that you seem a bit irresponsible. You said you learned the basics, but obviously not because this is the basics. And you purchased your snake when "money is tight". So now you can't provide proper care for it. It needs plants and hides and a thermostat and you can't provide those things. I would suggest taking the snake back and waiting until you're in a more stable place financially before purchasing another one. And I'd also encourage purchasing directly from a breeder because pet stores are notorious for selling unhealthy animals. Especially if it's a big chain pet store. But you may have gotten lucky and purchased a healthy animal!

Good luck!


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If you want to make your snake feel more secure grab a can of Plastidip from your local Home Depot or lowes and paint the two sides and the rear. I found that the plastidip, which is basically a rubber coating REALLY helps keeping the temp regulated.

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Originally Posted by jmsemii14

You say I seem irresponsible because I'm asking for advice on how to take care of my snake?, my bad. I won't ask for advice anymore so I won't know whether or not I'm properly taking care of her. I didn't purchase my snake when money was tight, but unexpected things happen in life.

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Excuse me, when did I say you were irresponsible for asking for advice?


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Originally Posted by Ballpythoncrazy

Excuse me, when did I say you were irresponsible for asking for advice?


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Sorry, you just came off a bit rude.

Hey jmsemii14,

I don't think anyone believes you are irresponsible for wanting to learn about your snake. Possibly some, maybe including myself a little bit, were alarmed when you said something like. "I know basic snake husbandry, how do I determine the gender and age, of my snake?" Which are both valid questions but then you showed evidence that you didn't actually know basic snake husbandry, and had not read the information bcr initially gave you though you claimed you already knew it.

Unfortunately I think a lot of people have had bad experiences with hobbyists who think they know proper husbandry but don't. It kind of leads to situations like this where people start asking questions about there snake but don't know how to properly take care of their snake and are making mistakes that can be found in any decent care guide.

I can't speak for others that have posted (in fact I know there are those in the industry that I don't speak for and its really frustrating) but I feel like the well being and comfort are one thousand percent the responsibility of the owner. The animal can't go somewhere else to live better so its our responsibility to be sure the animal has exactly what it needs. Again I can't speak for all but I know I and assume others may come off harsh because we care for an animal in danger.



So... now that you know how to improve your setup, hopefully at this point you have read the caresheet that bcr linked, and have input from users here. We can all work together to improve the QoL of your snake.

Though I would suggest that if you have other questions specific to your setup you start a new more concise thread to get help faster.