First time snake owner... Lots of questions

Ok, so I bought a ball python. Not sure how old it is or even what the sex is. I was always intrigued by the ball python. Just a beautiful animal. Now I have one and I want to make sure I am doing my "husbandry?" correct. I have it in a 10gal glass terrarium. I have two lights one for day and one for night. I have a reptitherm uth heating pad and a small hide and a faux tree plant and a watering rock. I am using ecoearth as a substrate. I am having lots of trouble keeping the ambient temps up and the humidity. I have a screen top and I have tried covering most that I can with towels to try and keep everything in. How can I fix this? I have thought about just going to plastic tubs, but how would I set that up and is it a good choice. There is a lot of controversy over that issue I am seeing. Also, I tried doing the F/T route for feeding but he/she just wasn't interested. I did a live yesterday and it took it within less than 10 seconds. Also, I keep seeing people posting things such as pastel .1, what does this mean. I am very interested in delving deeper in so i can properly care for my new friend.

1. Is your UTH regulated with a dimmer or thermostat?
2. Cover your screen with aluminum foil. It'll hold heat and humidity in.
3. Anything before the decimal point indicates male, anything after indicates female.


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First thing's first, do you have a thermostat for your UTH? If not, you need to get one ASAP. The purpose of the thermostat is to regulate the UTH and keep it from getting too hot; just do a search for burns on this forum if you want to see what can happen without one.

Second; are you using those circle/dial thermometer and hygrometer sets they sell at petstores? If so, they are incredibly inaccurate. You'll want either a laser thermometer or temp gun and a higher quality hygrometer (you want humidity 50-60% normally and a bit higher before a shed).

I personally prefer tubs. They keep humidity in better. You can also pick up some sphagnum moss and spritz it and put it in a hide. That keeps the humidity in really well.

The decimals and numbers indicate male/female/unsexed. So if someone has 1.4.2 ball pythons, they have one male, four females, and two unsexed.

A tip for the eco earth... Mix it with some tropical jungle bedding. About 40/60 ratio having more eco than jungle. Moisten with water once or twice a week. Holds amazing moisture without being yucky.

Combine that with a nice foil top or like me make a nice one, and you should be pretty good

My Uth is not regulated, it just stays on.
I will add the foil tonight.

How can I sex my python?

Regulate your UTH right now. Those can jump up to over 120 degrees easily. They need to be regulated to 91f. Go get a dimmer from Home Depot or something like that. They're like $7 and you can adjust the wattage that is going to your UTH so that it can be regulated down to 91f. And make sure when you tape the foil to the screen, tape it on the outside so your snake doesn't get stuck to the tape.


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Have a breeder sex your BP. It's hard and I've never done it myself.


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Seconded about the UTH. Long-term you'll want a thermostat though.

Yeah, only way to sex a BP is probing or popping, both of which can be dangerous to the snake if they're being done by someone who doesn't know how to do them. Either a breeder or vet could show you how.

Thanks for all your helpful info.


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Originally Posted by jhumphrey

Ok, so I bought a ball python. Not sure how old it is or even what the sex is. I was always intrigued by the ball python. Just a beautiful animal. Now I have one and I want to make sure I am doing my "husbandry?" correct. I have it in a 10gal glass terrarium. I have two lights one for day and one for night. I have a reptitherm uth heating pad and a small hide and a faux tree plant and a watering rock. I am using ecoearth as a substrate. I am having lots of trouble keeping the ambient temps up and the humidity. I have a screen top and I have tried covering most that I can with towels to try and keep everything in. How can I fix this? I have thought about just going to plastic tubs, but how would I set that up and is it a good choice. There is a lot of controversy over that issue I am seeing. Also, I tried doing the F/T route for feeding but he/she just wasn't interested. I did a live yesterday and it took it within less than 10 seconds. Also, I keep seeing people posting things such as pastel .1, what does this mean. I am very interested in delving deeper in so i can properly care for my new friend.

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How deep is your substrate?
what size UTH do you have?
average temps in the room you keep your snake?
These will all effect the temp from the UTH to the inside of the tank, too deep of substrate makes it harder for heat to get through it, small UTH with a low room temp will effect the temp as well. UTH were made as a secondary heat source to use in conjunction with a bulb, they work well in racks because they are surrounded by the wood. if your room temp is in the 70's you'll be lucky to get a 90 degree hotspot with any kind of substrate. That being said, I would still recommend getting a rheostat/dimmer or thermostat with a probe as a precaution in case there is a short that causes a fire or for some reason your house gets into the high 80's and 90's.

you can get a sterilite-like tub with a lid from any store that sells them, drill a couple holes on the sides from the inside out(to keep the rough edges on the outside of the tub), add substrate and hides along with the UTH and thermostat on one side of the tub. place it on a solid surface(wood, metal, tile) you can buy some rubber stoppers to elevate the tub a bit. Thermometer with a probe or temp gun and a digital hygrometer to monitor the temp and humidity. You do not need a "day" light so you can save some electricity and run a red bulb or ceramic bulb all day, the room gets enough light on it's own, the daylight is for your viewing pleasure.

you can also get a piece of Plexiglas from your hardware store(some will cut it for you) drill a couple holes and add some drawer handles on top and use this to cover your screen top. You didn't mention the size of you snake but I would personally get a larger tank.

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Originally Posted by Aztec4mia

small UTH with a low room temp will effect the temp as well. UTH were made as a secondary heat source to use in conjunction with a bulb, they work well in racks because they are surrounded by the wood. if your room temp is in the 70's you'll be lucky to get a 90 degree hotspot with any kind of substrate.

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NOT TRUE. ... If properly attached and with a rheostat/dimmer the uth will maintain a correct hot"SPOT" even if the room temp drops into the 50's, a uth has nothing to do with the ambient temps. Yes substrate plays a small part in this. Your snake benifits from the hotspot by making contact and absorbing the heat from the area the uth is making contact with the tank. If the room your snake is being kept in stays between 75 and 80℉ you will be fine.

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Originally Posted by Aztec4mia

You do not need a "day" light so you can save some electricity and run a red bulb or ceramic bulb all day, the room gets enough light on it's own, the daylight is for your viewing pleasure.

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This depends .... Ball pythons need a light cycle to justify day and night. The OP never specified the type of room the ball python is being kept in. I myself work a late shift so I have black out curtains in my bedroom. It is always dark in my bedroom unless I actually turn my light on, So If I were to keep my snakes in my bedroom they would need to be provided a day/night light cycle. If the OP is keeping the snake in a room with no window this also applies. If light can flow into the room normally as the sun comes up and goes down then this won't be an issue. Ball pythons do not need uv rays or direct sunlight .... Just enough to differentiate the change of day and night.

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If properly attached and with a rheostat/dimmer the uth will maintain a correct hot"SPOT" even if the room temp drops into the 50's, a uth has nothing to do with the ambient temps. Yes substrate plays a small part in this. Your snake benefits from the hotspot by making contact and absorbing the heat from the area the uth is making contact with the tank. If the room your snake is being kept in stays between 75 and 80℉ you will be fine.

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I would assume that the UTH would be properly attached to the tank. A UTH contributes a little to the ambient temp in the tank(the heat doesn't just stop at the snake) but I agree that it has very little effect on the ambient temps in a glass aquarium. The ambient room temp however, will effect the UTH from my experience, but then again it's been years since I have used a aquariums for my snakes. I would like to see a hotspot in a tank with substrate in 50 degree weather. I also agree that if you have a room temp of 75-80 then you will be fine, I prefer to keep my ambient temps between that.

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This depends .... Ball pythons need a light cycle to justify day and night. The OP never specified the type of room the ball python is being kept in. I myself work a late shift so I have black out curtains in my bedroom. It is always dark in my bedroom unless I actually turn my light on, So If I were to keep my snakes in my bedroom they would need to be provided a day/night light cycle. If the OP is keeping the snake in a room with no window this also applies. If light can flow into the room normally as the sun comes up and goes down then this won't be an issue. Ball pythons do not need uv rays or direct sunlight .... Just enough to differentiate the change of day and night.

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I am going to have to disagree, ball pythons do not NEED a day/night cycle. If they did everyone would have LEDs in they're rack systems, but it also is not going to hurt if you want to give your snake one. Maybe in the wild it is useful so they know when to hide from predators during the day.

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Originally Posted by Aztec4mia

I am going to have to disagree, ball pythons do not NEED a day/night cycle. If they did everyone would have LEDs in they're rack systems, but it also is not going to hurt if you want to give your snake one. Maybe in the wild it is useful so they know when to hide from predators during the day.

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We may have to just agree to disagree on this one. I see what your saying about some rack systems. Some do not have clear tubs but do have viewing window, for instance the freedom tubs. I am not familiar with the systems that do not have clear tubs so I can't speak on that subject. But I will say that the day light changes with the seasons just as the temps do. The day light may not be as important in ball pythons seasonal changes as the temps are .... But I believe day light effects ALL natures creatures. With the ball python I believe that it allows them to know when to come out and roam and when to hide and rest, therefore effecting their activity. On a much more in depth level I believe it to effect their behavior, activity and quality of live (health).

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psp2koldrd.jpg


Lighting is not "needed", natural light cycle happens in the room. SMH
UTH does little to nothing in a cold room, it is there for a hot spot only.
If your UTH is not regulated, UNPLUG IT for the safety of your snake.

9

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psp2koldrd.jpg

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Nothin like a lil early morning arts and crafts :rofl:

Imo: for the safety of your snake. Contact a local specialist or known breeder. Sounds like way more than a shed issue. There will always be people that argue health and care. For the most part i pick up side tricks from forums and keep my real questions for up close and personal whereas someone registered handles my snake and her health and that's how i keep it. No risk of johnny dingleberry giving the wrong advise. Best to play it safe than be irresponsible.

Example: i hate store bought uth and only use seed starter pads for hydroponics systems. While still a heat pad, They are designed to never exceed 10degrees above room temp and have a built in sensor to make sure. Yes i tested it myself every way possible... over and over and over... a year strong and still working perfect no controls needed
but thats just me.

Before i get strung up and roasted for the health and shes issue part: I accidently pasted something from another forum and didn't catch it before I just smacked the SUBMIT button. I apologize. If i can figure out how to remove that part I will.

I repeat I'm not calling your snake sick. sorry man

So, just for more information so you guys can make more informed decisions based on my specific situation. I keep my ball in my living room. The tank sits a few feet away from a large window which provides pretty constant sunlight throughout the day. My apartment temp usually is on the low end at about 70-72. My aquarium is a 10gal that has a layer or reptile carpet and then about and inch to inch and a half of ecoearth. My UTH is stuck to the bottom of the tank and my tank has risers on it that helps air flow underneath and this sits on a solid wood surface.

Hows your top lookin? Is it open/screen topped?

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Originally Posted by T_Sauer

We may have to just agree to disagree on this one. I see what your saying about some rack systems. Some do not have clear tubs but do have viewing window, for instance the freedom tubs. I am not familiar with the systems that do not have clear tubs so I can't speak on that subject. But I will say that the day light changes with the seasons just as the temps do. The day light may not be as important in ball pythons seasonal changes as the temps are .... But I believe day light effects ALL natures creatures. With the ball python I believe that it allows them to know when to come out and roam and when to hide and rest, therefore effecting their activity. On a much more in depth level I believe it to effect their behavior, activity and quality of live (health).

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And thats the great thing about this hobby, we can disagree. There is really no right way to do things, what works for me may not work for the OP and what works for you might work for someone else. I will say that there are advanced levels of keeping that I would not recommend for a beginner, but most everything else are guidlines to start off new keepers. There is just to many variables with peoples enviroments to have a set way to do things.

My top is a screened top but for the most part it is covered with towels to try to keep the moisture from leaving.

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Originally Posted by jhumphrey

My top is a screened top but for the most part it is covered with towels to try to keep the moisture from leaving.

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How often do you have to change out the towel?

I don't???? Am I supposed to? I spray the substrate probably 3 times a day.

I would if it started to smell or mildew, but it doesn't sound like you have that problem.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...f5965b56e5.jpg

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Originally Posted by jhumphrey

So, just for more information so you guys can make more informed decisions based on my specific situation. I keep my ball in my living room. The tank sits a few feet away from a large window which provides pretty constant sunlight throughout the day. My apartment temp usually is on the low end at about 70-72. My aquarium is a 10gal that has a layer or reptile carpet and then about and inch to inch and a half of ecoearth. My UTH is stuck to the bottom of the tank and my tank has risers on it that helps air flow underneath and this sits on a solid wood surface.

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Get it out of the sun. That's an unregulated heat source and the glass magnifies the heat. It'll literally cook your snake.

I had issues with my temperature and humidity. I put foil (shiny side down) completely over the tank. I use a ceramic bulb for heating on one side, and a single opening hide for the warm side, a half log for the cool. I also covered the tank with a towel, over the foil, for extra heat. On the cool side I noted that the inside of her hide was a bit too cool, so I put a UTH with a thermostat on the side of the tank near the rear of the opening. It's worked amazing for me

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...53c8fa8b98.jpg a towel and a blanket, over foil. http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...72dca3bbbb.jpg "cool side" surface temp. http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...afffdc7c7c.jpg "warm side" surface temp. http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...6559b26260.jpg ambient temp and humidity. http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...e9ea011d54.jpg "warm" hide http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...b35bce03c4.jpg "cool" hide. http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...00b0cae471.jpg ceramic bulb housing. I had to cover the holes with foil to keep more heat in.

The light you see I don't use for the light cycle. I use it to add a little more heat.

This has worked wonders for me.

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Originally Posted by jhumphrey

I don't???? Am I supposed to? I spray the substrate probably 3 times a day.

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Be careful spraying too too much. High humidity can cause respiratory issues. Your humidity should sit around 40-60 slightly higher if they are shedding. (mine is getting ready to shed hence the humidity in the 70s)