Something Unexpected (image heavy)

Happy Holiday's everyone,


This is going to be long and I am sorry for that. 2 weeks ago I got a ball python.


I have a co worker who broke up with her boyfriend about a month or so ago. She then told me about his ball python he left behind
after texts back and forth he said he didn't want her and that he moved far away. She showed me these texts.
My co worker then told me after work that day she was going to drive to a wooded area and release her. I almost had a heart attack. I told her that you cant do that we live in New Hampshire we just had snow dump on us. She told me snakes adapt. I told her I would take her. So after work I went to her house and picked her up. I can not see any animals of any kind be treated this way. My cat someone did not want because he was mean (just needed love) my dog because she is to stupid for hunting. So I see this Large snake in this 10 gallon tank with news papers on the bottom and a small dish and a plastic hide thing and medium frozen mice. No temps no nothing. My co worker said she is about 3 years old and is female

I then go to PetSmart its the only thing close to me and ask if they were willing to take her they wont because of covid and illness. At this point I am just going to keep her. With a brochure, cell phone and worker in tow.


I got a 40 gallon reptile tank zoo med, a large rock hid, a big dish, a moss hid, a few plants and Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate. While I was there
I saw this form and placed an order with amazon for a large under the tank heater, Thermostat for the mat, Zoo Med Labs Digital Thermometer Humidity Gauge, a temp gauge.
The PetSmart worker took a look at her and said she was over weight which shocked me and I showed her what the women was feeding her the worker told me I should be giving her small rats.


I finally get home set it all up so it took about 3 days to get everything from amazon. I finally got her all set up I have a temp prob on the heat mat which
is plugged into the thermostat which is set it 90.


I realized my first mistake was the glass tank so last week I set off to home depot for insulation and got Extra Large Marine Roll Closed Cell Neoprene Rubber with Adhesive
which of course I didn't get enough so I did the back of the tank and the sides. I have a blanket covering the front and top of her tank around her light. The temps right now are at 85 basking spot her heat mat is at 90 and her cool side is 74 her humidity is at 52. She loves laying in that moss ball and loves being on top of the hide rock. She does dig under the Substrate some times but most of the time she is on top of her large rock Or moss ball.


So as of right now I have had her for about 2 weeks. She seems pretty happy and healthy from what I can tell. I did feed her on Saturday and she took the rat like it was nothing. I tried asking my co worker when was the last time she was fed and she said she does not know.
So I am worried about temp and the feeding any advice would be great I am doing as much research as I can. Please be nice, I just wanted to
save an animal from being killed or hurt. My vet is willing to see her after the holiday's


Here are some pictures these were taken after I got everything set up. I had not yet got the insulation in these pictures.


Meet Miss Venom

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Good on your for taking that critter in. Seems you did the proper research and are getting things dialed in well. I don’t see that animal as overweight at all. Maybe a bit small for its age but it’ll catch up in time.


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Ditto, thank you for saving this beautiful (not fat!) ball python from total ignorance & certain death; you did a great job & on such short notice for fixing up a nice home for her too. :gj:
I really like that hide- looks like she does too. :D

:welcome: We look forward to your updates & any questions you may have. :snake:

Thank you both I have been so worried I was doing things wrong. I was worried about the weight thing. Am I feeding her the right size? I fed her on Saturday A small rat. I tried to measure around her belly and all she wanted to do was climb all over me so I just let her be for now.

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Originally Posted by Starstop

Thank you both I have been so worried I was doing things wrong. I was worried about the weight thing. Am I feeding her the right size? I fed her on Saturday A small rat. I tried to measure around her belly and all she wanted to do was climb all over me so I just let her be for now.

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It's better to underfeed slightly than to over-feed. Off-hand, I'd say a small rat is just fine, but in a moment, I'll post a chart for you. ;)

This:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...%2F98qfzDH.png

You should be applauded for taking it in and putting your heart and sole into this venture !!


Just a few little things ..


The stat temp of 90F is only a guideline... you really need a digital temp gun ( $9 off eBay /Amazon or at least a digital thermometer with a wired probe ( both ideally) to check what the surface temps REALLY are ..

Also ideally two identical hides ( they like snug fitting ones -not too large ) one at warm end one at cool end ..

A cheap water spray to keep the humidity decent ..


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Looks like you got a great set-up for her. Congratulations and Merry Christmas to you and Miss Venom!

I love it when pets in dire need get a new home in time for Christmas, don't you? :love:

You did a wonderful job of saving this BP and giving her a great home! Although some people have suggested small tweaks to improve the enclosure I am overall really impressed, your set up shows you've done your research and that you clearly care a lot about this snake. I think you've done a better job of setting up a home for your unexpected new pet than many people who actually plan on getting a BP. So happy that this girl didn't end up outside in the New Hampshire winter has a loving keeper who will do a great job of looking after her. I wish you the best with your BP keeping journey! We're all here for you if you ever have questions or need advice with anything :)

I bought a spary bottle and I mist her tank and check on it daily. I do have 3 temp probs in there. One under the tank where her mat is between the glass and mat. I have one sat on top of her basking spot and I have one on her could side.

Should I turn her mat thermostat down I ha e it set to 90 for her mat??? I just ordered the heat gun thank you....

Is her hides to big?? The rock one should I get a smaller one???

Thank you very much for the chart.

Thank you so much. I was so nervous but like anything else I just jump head first and just hope for the best.

I am sure anyone in my position would have done the same. I can't see any type of pets hurt.

This picture will be helpful for thermometer probe placement relative to heating elements and thermostats until you can get a temp gun. You’re definitely on the right track and have things set up well for the quick turn around time with acquiring the animal
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d0f0772d7b.jpg


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Oh wow thank you so much. I do have the uth and probe as shown in the pic and I do have a thermostat. Her basking one,humidity and the one on her cool side is just lay on top of the substrate. Should all three go under the substrate???

Thank you again for the picture very helpful

I’d keep your thermometer and humidity probes where you have them. With a glass enclosure your temps under the substrate directly on the glass are likely very close to the temp set on your thermostat. Always a good idea to double check them from time to time with a temp gun though. You are set up better than 99% of new snake owners we see that join this site with questions about their enclosure arrangements. Don’t hesitate to keep asking questions as they arise though. We’re here to help and knowing what you’ve done so far helps us to help you better.


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Originally Posted by Starstop

...Is her hides to big?? The rock one should I get a smaller one???

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For such a quick unplanned adoption, I think (& as others said also) that you've done VERY well & better than most who actually planned to get a BP & have posted here. :D

She's eating for you, so I'd hold off on changing things around again right now. She obviously likes her new place- why not, it's far better than what she knew before, and habitat changes are somewhat stressful for snakes, especially since she's new with you. So I'd wait on changing or adding hides yet- & I can't really comment on this hide since I'm not seeing the whole thing (as far as how many openings there are- is it just the 2?) From what I can see, I like it & it appears she does too, in spite of having 2 openings. I also can't tell where it is in relation to the heat- it's always best to have at least 2 hides, one in the cooler part of cage & the other with heat, & you're correct that BPs like them to feel cozy in relation to their size. I think you mentioned there ARE 2 hides? So relax...you're doing great & she looks happy, & she already ATE for you. :gj: This calls for a "happy dance".

Yeah the big rock looking one has 3 openings one in front one in back and one on top I have thag placed on the heat mat with substrate on it.. the other hide is on the cool side its that moss ball. I have a heat gun coming in the mail so that will help me out.

Thank you all for the help and advice. Merry Christmas!!!

I love the set up! She's really lucky to have you.

One small suggestion: I've tried that exact same (fine coconut bark) substrate. I'd recommend going for something else a little less fine. The coconut powder, being a fine powder., can really get compacted in its nose or heat pits, or eaten while feeding. There are chunkier coconut substrates I'd personally feel better about.

Well, you certainly have it more together than I do!! I’m still working on wading through all of the conflicting information I’ve found. Can I ask you how you insulated the sides and back? Did you find a pretty immediate difference in ambient temp? We are in a very cold climate and honestly, glass was the only availability and I just can’t spring for a fancy plastic vivarium at the moment (or for awhile). Any thoughts on styrofoam sheets (the 1” thick kind)? I am planning on making a cool background with spray foam, etc eventually so I’m thinking its something similar anyways and will also provide some insulation. Anyways, sorry to hijack your thread with my own question! Love your setup and congrats on a new very awesome pet!

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Originally Posted by FerruleFern

Well, you certainly have it more together than I do!! I’m still working on wading through all of the conflicting information I’ve found. Can I ask you how you insulated the sides and back? Did you find a pretty immediate difference in ambient temp? We are in a very cold climate and honestly, glass was the only availability and I just can’t spring for a fancy plastic vivarium at the moment (or for awhile). Any thoughts on styrofoam sheets (the 1” thick kind)? I am planning on making a cool background with spray foam, etc eventually so I’m thinking its something similar anyways and will also provide some insulation. Anyways, sorry to hijack your thread with my own question! Love your setup and congrats on a new very awesome pet!

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Hi & :welcome:. There are many ways to insulate a glass tank, & honestly I prefer glass anyway but that's another subject. (Note, I've kept a number of BPs in the past, but currently keep mostly colubrids.)

There is at least one member that I can recall using thick styrofoam sheets cut to fit, so that's a perfectly good option- lightweight but effective. Sheet cork, or stick-on tiles of cork or carpet also can work, as does corrugated cardboard or foam-center poster boards, but the thicker styrofoam is likely going to give you the highest R-value (best insulation). If you don't like the looks, you could install scenery on the back & sides of the glass first, then you won't even SEE the foam taped behind it.

You can also insulate some or all of the underside of the tank but leave the area open around it IF you're using UTH, & remember to leave some gaps for it to "breathe" safely & for the wire- never leave a tank sitting on a power cord. If you're only using overhead heating devices (like CHE or RHP) then by all means, insulate the floor too. You can also insulate the lower part of the front if you like- maybe about 5" along the bottom- it's all up to you & how much efficiency you need.

The only issue with thick styrofoam is all the little bits when you try to cut it. (use a box cutter or X-acto knife) The foam-core poster boards I mentioned are under .25" thick, but they come in black or white & cut neatly, & you could always do more than one layer- it would look a lot nicer than styrofoam. It's all up to you though- efficiency, cost & hassle are variables.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FerruleFern

Well, you certainly have it more together than I do!! I’m still working on wading through all of the conflicting information I’ve found. Can I ask you how you insulated the sides and back? Did you find a pretty immediate difference in ambient temp? We are in a very cold climate and honestly, glass was the only availability and I just can’t spring for a fancy plastic vivarium at the moment (or for awhile). Any thoughts on styrofoam sheets (the 1” thick kind)? I am planning on making a cool background with spray foam, etc eventually so I’m thinking its something similar anyways and will also provide some insulation. Anyways, sorry to hijack your thread with my own question! Love your setup and congrats on a new very awesome pet!

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Hello No problems I am still learning ask away.

I got Extra Large Marine Roll Closed Cell Neoprene Rubber with Adhesive at home depo. I noticed a little change in temp if I was you I would go with something better. I live in New Hampshire in an old house so it is super drafty in here. I keep blankets on her cage I plan on getting some thing else.

I would go with what Bogertophis is saying. The stuff I bough was cheap and easy to find in a pinch.

Ask away I learn from everyone else.

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Originally Posted by andeal

I love the set up! She's really lucky to have you.

One small suggestion: I've tried that exact same (fine coconut bark) substrate. I'd recommend going for something else a little less fine. The coconut powder, being a fine powder., can really get compacted in its nose or heat pits, or eaten while feeding. There are chunkier coconut substrates I'd personally feel better about.

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Oh Did not know this. Is there a substrate you would recommend??