List of supplies needed for "first" time owner

Buying a ball python for my GF tonight from pet store (i know, expensive) but i need a list of what i need for a small 10 gallon tank.

this will be her 3rd snake, my first to buy.

she has a large tank back home but not one here at school.

so far i have

Temp guage
UTH
10 gallon cage (no duh)
newspaper for bedding
shoebox/cerealbox/box
water tank.

anything else???

thanks

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=52

Look over the caresheet as well.

I'd strongly suggest a digital thermometer/hygrometer for gauging whats going on in the setup - the analogue gauges are notoriously innacurate for temps.

If you're using a 10gal and (i assume) screen lid I'd go right ahead and get the screen lid covered with something like transparent ConTac paper, plexi or plastic to better retain heat and humidity.

Any questions on anything just post away - always a host of great folks here to answer!

What will you be using to control the temps of that UTH? They can reach temps of over 115 degrees and cause thermal burns on the snake. At the very least you need a rheostat (dimmer) and preferably a thermostat.

yea, im gunna get an el cheapo 10 gallon tank from walmart since this will only be used for about 3 months im guessing.

i was going to get an Accurite Thermometer from wally world as well.

after reading the care page, i was wondering if a "back warmer" thingy from wally world would work as well to be a cheap UTH as long as it doesnt have an auto shutoff

You still need something to control the temperature regardless of what type of heat source you buy. Most of the new human heat pads have auto shutoff as a safety precaution. I cant stress enough that you need a rheostat or t-stat.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

You still need something to control the temperature regardless of what type of heat source you buy. Most of the new human heat pads have auto shutoff as a safety precaution. I cant stress enough that you need a rheostat or t-stat.

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i was under the assumption that most of the back warmers came with diff. setings (the one back at my house did) and that would be enough to keep a good temp for the cage.

if not please let me know more about the heating, its what i know the least about from my research. and i know its very important.


does a cheap wally world tank have a spot for a lock?? in order for her to keep the snake in her apartment the cage must have a padlockable tank

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Originally Posted by jglass38

You still need something to control the temperature regardless of what type of heat source you buy. Most of the new human heat pads have auto shutoff as a safety precaution. I cant stress enough that you need a rheostat or t-stat.

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Don't most human heat pads also have a rheostat built in to adjust temperatures?

Nowadays human heat pads are built with automatic shutoffs to prevent people burning their houses down from leaving them running consistantly. I would suggest getting an actually heater that is made for reptiles.

We have one, and it has three settings. The lowest is too hot. We use it when we move Cleo out of her viv for cleaning. We put her in a small tub on the human heater pad. We had to put a couple of thick rolled up towels inbetween to get the temps down into the high 80's range.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

Nowadays human heat pads are built with automatic shutoffs to prevent people burning their houses down from leaving them running consistantly. I would suggest getting an actually heater that is made for reptiles.

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ok.

looks like all my supplies are gunna come from the pet store other than the thermometer.

o well, her dad is buying that stuff :D

I think more important than whether you can rig something to make it work is doing what is BEST for an animal in your care. Who is to say that the human heating pad wont malfunction and shoot the temp up to 130 degrees? Do you really want to take that chance? I wouldn't...

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Originally Posted by jglass38

I think more important than whether you can rig something to make it work is doing what is BEST for an animal in your care. Who is to say that the human heating pad wont malfunction and shoot the temp up to 130 degrees? Do you really want to take that chance? I wouldn't...

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i get it :D

hopefully the ball pythons are nice.

they have 2 ball, 3 kingsnakes and 2 other types that i forget.

hopefully she likes the ball.

I would suggest buying all of the enclosure and heating equipment, take it home, set it up, get your temperatures right,.....THEN buy a ball python. It is not good to have a snake in an enclosure while you are trying to set it up and get it functioning properly.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

I would suggest buying all of the enclosure and heating equipment, take it home, set it up, get your temperatures right,.....THEN buy a ball python. It is not good to have a snake in an enclosure while you are trying to set it up and get it functioning properly.

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thats the only problem...

i need the snake tonight to give to her, so im gunna play with the snake while i set it up i believe.

im pretty sure her roomies room is warm, and can get warmer easily. humidity is good.

ill immediately take temp readings of the bathroom, which with the door shut can get warm quickly since the room has no where for heat to go... i know setting up the cage in one day is difficult etc, but its almost a have to do. i know its not "proper" etc, but if i play with it in my hands etc, i could theoretically keep it warm enough, right?

So you would rather risk the health of the ball python just to give it to your girlfriend today?

Please do what is best for the snake....give your girlfriend an IOU on the snake, buy the enclosure, set it up, then take her to the pet shop in a few days to let her pick out the snake.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

So you would rather risk the health of the ball python just to give it to your girlfriend today?

Please do what is best for the snake....give your girlfriend an IOU on the snake, buy the enclosure, set it up, then take her to the pet shop in a few days to let her pick out the snake.

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well... she just left for the night.

i could always go buy the setup now, but not the snake, and then come back and get the snake??? 4 hours is plenty to fully setup the tank no?

That is better than nothing....just make sure the enclosure has the appropriate temperatures....thanks for taking that into consideration

Then all you have to do is bring the ball python home, put it in the enclosure, and leave it alone for a week so that it can settle in without the stress of handling.

Words of wisdom from Daniel there. Best to set up in advance and make sure conditions are optimal for the snake.

Also, don't forget to cover up at least 2/3 of the top of the tank to preserve humidity.
Edit: Nevermind Smulkin already gave you that advice.

Also, make sure you have two hides, one on either end and a large/heavy waterbowl in the middle. The hides should be small enough such that it has room inside only for the snake.

just a question, but what dmg can be done by keeping it at an improper temperature for about an hour?

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Originally Posted by Nourdmrolnmt1

just a question, but what dmg can be done by keeping it at an improper temperature for about an hour?

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It could get sick and without anti-biotics ($$$), die.

Get you stuff together before you get your animal. ;)

-adam

....you assume that you can get the entire enclosure setup with the needed temperatures and humidity in an hour....what if it takes you a few days to get everything just right?....then it goes from being improper temps for an hour to a few days... you could have all kinda life threatening problems

...if you are still fiddling with the enclosure to get the temps right once you put the snake in there you are placing stress on the animal..

...you also have to consider that 'playing' with the ball python for an hour while you setup the enclosure will really stress it out....a stressed out ball python will not eat and has greater chances of getting sick

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Originally Posted by Nourdmrolnmt1

just a question, but what dmg can be done by keeping it at an improper temperature for about an hour?

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Too hot a temp would kill your snake. Too cold, ur looking at an upper respiratory infection. If you have to get it in such a hurry, I would advice keeping the snake in a shoe box with a water bowl, crumpled up news paper and a heat pack. I'm sure someone who ships reptiles will be able to give you more advice. On a personal note, I would never give a reptile to anyone unless the proper environment is set up and that is the bottom line. Good luck.

im not the one who HAS to buy it today... its her roomie who wants to get it today, im trying to make sure that it survives. her roomie wont listen to me blah blah blah, im all for buying the cage tonight, setting it up in my GF's room, and saying "IOU tomorrow" but her roomate is impatient and doesnt believe me. plus she is the one actually purchasing it, im just pitching in some money (15).


also, transportation of the snake, she goes to Purdue, lives near chicago, 3 hour drive... how hard is this on a snake/whats the best way to transport?

that seems like you'll be getting the snake and shipping it just as soon as you turn around- why not get all the stuff, wait until your gf moves, then ship her all the pieces (of the enclosure) and a "how to" on putting it together
then just call her and send her X amout for a Good Quality snake off the internet. have it shipped to her house with her knowing and being there. less stress + cheaper on snake costs (which will be saved and reused in shipping the cage)

As far as a glass vivarium, locking screen lid, I would recommend looking for a Critter Cage. We keep our snakes in 20L Critter Cages.

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Originally Posted by shhhli

that seems like you'll be getting the snake and shipping it just as soon as you turn around- why not get all the stuff, wait until your gf moves, then ship her all the pieces (of the enclosure) and a "how to" on putting it together
then just call her and send her X amout for a Good Quality snake off the internet. have it shipped to her house with her knowing and being there. less stress + cheaper on snake costs (which will be saved and reused in shipping the cage)

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no, im here at purdue as well. she wont be taking it home for quite some time, she might even stay for summer school here so who knows.