BP Husbandry Help

https://i.imgur.com/uFCJCBN.jpg

My temporary setup until I can get better equipment... It was recommended by the pet store, so honestly I'm not very sure this is what's best for Wheatley.

If you have any better products that I can trade in to make this place a better set up for my baby, I'd appreciate it. (Please link products)

Pet store set-ups are far from good, and honestly I see quite a few things that would need change... ;)

To begin with I would suggest reading through this and making adjustments as needed:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

And just to name two easy-to-fix things: I would highly recommend getting rid of that stick-on dial there! Replace it with a thermometer with a probe, as those other dials are inaccurate and can get dangerous ― Lots of people from the US recommend the Acurite!
Also, half-logs make for poor hides, you will want to use two identical hides which are closed on all sides except for the bottom and a small entry hole. The log hides don't provide enough cover :)

Based on the pictures of the snake in the other thread (underweight animal, even if eating for now) there are a lot of things to do and this is where to start.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-hatchling-101

An underweight snake that is leaving in too large of an enclosure and that is handle frequently is not a good thing.

The enclosure is way too big that's for an adult, the thermometer is junk, y ou need a digital thermometer and should read the temps at the floor level.

The hide should preferably be identical so the animal does not chose security over thermoregualtion, a proper hide is very small tight touching your BP's body, in you case nothing bigger than a 6 inches plastic flower pot saucer.

Smaller, more enclosed hides, more silk plants, less light (better to use a UTH---with a thermostat! A blue or red bulb would be better if you need to use a lamp). The main cause of BPs not eating is that they feel insecure. You want it nice and snug for him to feel safe.

https://i.imgur.com/7ef6tm0.jpg

The he enclosure my snake was in at the store. He's almost doubled in size since two weeks ago, which I think is a good thing. I'm not sure what bedding he's on but it looks rough... But this is the reason why I didn't trust what they were telling me, because he was in this set up and they were telling me another was better...

Updated:

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...96baf6f209.jpg

On the left, the warm hide, with a small water bowl underneath to make up for its size and add humidity. On the right, the cooler side with its own water bowl and the other hide. I'm going to move it so there's more space between, and I'm about to put paper towels over the glass.

Also, it's placed on a short stand of sorts now, so the UTH is getting more air underneath and should more accurately detect when it is too warm.


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What's your humidity reading? Heat lamp + screen top tank + aspen = problematic humidity.

Follow the directions in Deborah's link to a T. It is PERFECT for baby balls.

your current set up is way too big and open for such a little guy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by voodoolamb

What's your humidity reading? Heat lamp + screen top tank + aspen = problematic humidity.

Follow the directions in Deborah's link to a T. It is PERFECT for baby balls.

your current set up is way too big and open for such a little guy.

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Heatlamp is never on. I don't use it unless I'm giving the UTH a break because it was over carpet. Now I don't have to worry about it.

Aspen is good right now because I'm spraying it down.

Screentop is good for circulation of air.

His humidity sits at about 60% now before spraying. Inside his rock hide sits at 70% because the small water bowl inside that.

The tank is actually quite small when I covered the tanks glass with sheets of paper towels. :)

That tank is too big, no matter what.
Why would you be giving the UTH a break, is it being controlled by a thermostat?

Follow Deborah's care instructions, you can move him into that tank later when he gets bigger.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PythonBabes

Why would you be giving the UTH a break, is it being controlled by thermostat

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Yes. And the carpet is burnt. That's why. It was a fire hazard. It's not anymore.


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I'm concerned with the carpet being burnt under a thermostat controlled UTH to be honest. It may be worth considering placing a board underneath the enclosure and having the tank raised on those little sticky rubber feet you can buy at the hardware store. That would ensure a good airflow around the heatpad and prevent hotspots forming.

A big tank for a small snake can be an issue because sometimes it's harder for babies to find the hotspot and also they may feel less secure which can create stress. You can look on your local craigslist for a 10 or 20 gallon tank, which would be perfect for a baby ball. They usually run about 10-50 bucks, heck some people even give them away. If you buy a new one at a pet store they're about 30-50 for a 10 gal and around 70-100 for a 20 gal. If you don't get another tank you can still make it work, just make sure you add extra hides to help your snake feel secure.

Your set up isn't bad, good idea with the multiple water bowls, and keeping one on the hot spot. Just make sure you fill them up daily. I've noticed that shallow bowls tend to go dry quicker. Other than that I'd say aspen isn't the best at holding humidity, especially combined with a tank. A good way to keep humidity in is to dampen some paper towels with warm water and lay them over 3/4 of the tank screen. That's what I do and it works well, but you will have to wet them 1-2 times daily. The next time you buy bedding go for something that holds humidity better like ZooMed Forest Floor, but as long as you can keep your humidity around 55-70% you should be fine.

Oh, and be sure your heat pad is regulated by a thermostat. Without proper temperatures (between 88-91 degrees) your snake may become sick and have trouble digesting. Too hot of temps may also burn him, which can happen when your heat pad isn't regulated. You can buy a thermostat on reptilebasics.com or buy one on Amazon, I use a Hydrofarm Jumpstart Thermostat. They are $30 on Amazon.

It can be a bit stressful getting your set up correct, and everyone goes through it. Just get temps, humidity, and hides under control and you will be fine :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

I'm concerned with the carpet being burnt under a thermostat controlled UTH to be honest. It may be worth considering placing a board underneath the enclosure and having the tank raised on those little sticky rubber feet you can buy at the hardware store. That would ensure a good airflow around the heatpad and prevent hotspots forming.

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http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...3ae21c01bc.jpg

:)


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snizards

A big tank for a small snake can be an issue because sometimes it's harder for babies to find the hotspot and also they may feel less secure which can create stress. You can look on your local craigslist for a 10 or 20 gallon tank, which would be perfect for a baby ball. They usually run about 10-50 bucks, heck some people even give them away. If you buy a new one at a pet store they're about 30-50 for a 10 gal and around 70-100 for a 20 gal. If you don't get another tank you can still make it work, just make sure you add extra hides to help your snake feel secure.

Your set up isn't bad, good idea with the multiple water bowls, and keeping one on the hot spot. Just make sure you fill them up daily. I've noticed that shallow bowls tend to go dry quicker. Other than that I'd say aspen isn't the best at holding humidity, especially combined with a tank. A good way to keep humidity in is to dampen some paper towels with warm water and lay them over 3/4 of the tank screen. That's what I do and it works well, but you will have to wet them 1-2 times daily. The next time you buy bedding go for something that holds humidity better like ZooMed Forest Floor, but as long as you can keep your humidity around 55-70% you should be fine.

Oh, and be sure your heat pad is regulated by a thermostat. Without proper temperatures (between 88-91 degrees) your snake may become sick and have trouble digesting. Too hot of temps may also burn him, which can happen when your heat pad isn't regulated. You can buy a thermostat on reptilebasics.com or buy one on Amazon, I use a Hydrofarm Jumpstart Thermostat. They are $30 on Amazon.

It can be a bit stressful getting your set up correct, and everyone goes through it. Just get temps, humidity, and hides under control and you will be fine :)

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I do have one right now but I'm starting to think it's no good. Or maybe I messed it up.

Either way a new purchase soon for sure.

I don't remember the actual specs but I was told this is a 25 gallon?

I wanted to get the one with the glass door but they are $200. Definitely something I'll get when he's older though.


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25 gallon should be fine for a baby. I don't think that's too big at all as long as you have enough hides. (3-4)
The Jumpstart Hydrofarm works good, there are better more expensive thermostats, like the Herpstat, which I'll be switching to soon. They are more reliable and last longer. They are around $100 for a single outlet one I think. Check out spyderrobotics.com to find out for sure.