New Bp owner

Hi all, I just received my first ball python on Jan 10 2019. I have Kaa in a 20 gallon slim terrarium. I have tried twice to feed and both times Kaa seemed totally uninterested. I want to be a good human to my baby ball just worried I’m doing something wrong. So any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Can you tell us how your tank is set up? Things like temps, humidity, etc etc. Are you trying to feed live or frozen/thawed?


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I have a hide and 1 other structure and a water dish. Temp stays 80 to 85 on hot side and between 50 and 60 humidity. I really want to feed frozen. I don’t have any pics right now at work can post some later.

welcome Pale! glad u made it outta the chatbox!

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Originally Posted by PaleRider4

I have a hide and 1 other structure and a water dish. Temp stays 80 to 85 on hot side and between 50 and 60 humidity. I really want to feed frozen. I don’t have any pics right now at work can post some later.

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from your description, i think your BP's tank needs more work to make it feel comfortable. if u have a tiny baby in a 20gallon, it will need more than a hide, a decor and water dish. check out this guide on how to setup a 20gallon tank: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...0-New-Bp-owner the pix are down b/c Photobucket sucks but the step by step walkthrough is still helpful. in addition to this guide, i would just add more decor and clutter like fake plants to make your new BP feel more secure if u decide to keep it in a tank.

Some of the things that will cause them not to eat are:

Going in shed
Illness
Stress

Was the previous owner feeding him live food?


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Please stop trying to feed him more than once a week. If he turned to down, wait a week to try again.

Secondly, your hot spot needs to be about 88-90F by my preference is no higher than 88F.

Please read all the husbandry stickies in this forum.

I got Kaa from Pets mart

Also do u have a heat mat? They get their heat from their belly and that has to be on a thermostat. A heat lamp isn’t enough. Also like said above, need small hides on both sides. Don’t make them big, they like to feel cozy

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Originally Posted by Danger noodles

Also do u have a heat mat? They get their heat from their belly and that has to be on a thermostat. A heat lamp isn’t enough. Also like said above, need small hides on both sides. Don’t make them big, they like to feel cozy

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Actually, an UTH is not necessary. At least from what I've heard and known. Is it BETTER than heat from a lamp/CHE? That's up for debate. But a BP can definitely be kept on overhead heating their whole lives as long as the humidity and temperature meet the requirements.


But either way, make sure whatever you're using is regulated by a thermostat or at the very least a dimmer/rheostat.

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Originally Posted by Danger noodles

Also do u have a heat mat? They get their heat from their belly and that has to be on a thermostat. A heat lamp isn’t enough. Also like said above, need small hides on both sides. Don’t make them big, they like to feel cozy

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They actually don't require belly heat, that's just one type of heat source. Any heat source can be used, as long as the area or "hot spot" inside the hide is at the appropriate temps between 87~91.
And of course, as long as humidity can be maintained above 50%.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

They actually don't require belly heat, that's just one type of heat source. Any heat source can be used, as long as the area or "hot spot" inside the hide is at the appropriate temps between 87~91.
And of course, as long as humidity can be maintained above 50%.

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well I worded it a little wrong, I “feel” like the best heat is from a uth with a thermostat, then on top of that in my enclosure I have a heat lamp. But that’s just to keep the ambient temps good as I keep my house at 68*

My temp is in that range and my humidity is as long as I mist but it drops below that any suggestions on how to keep the humidity level up

In a tank? Cover the screen top with foil/plexiglass (there's a tutorial on here somewhere) or a damp towel, use a coconut-husk-based substrate, bigger water bowl, moving the water bowl to the hot side/ under the heat source, using a humidifier in the room where your snake is kept. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Some people get reptile misters/foggers. They're not particularly recommended for BPs, more for high-humidity amphibians and lizards such as dart frogs, but I've heard they can work as long as you put them on a timer to regulate how much they put out? Thing is you don't want the enclosure to be wet, just humid.

I am trying to post a pic of my bps terrarium but I can’t figure it out anyway i am just having trouble keeping the humidity level where it should be

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Originally Posted by PaleRider4

I am trying to post a pic of my bps terrarium but I can’t figure it out anyway i am just having trouble keeping the humidity level where it should be

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