Beginner questions

Hi all! Just got my new (2 yr old) Ball Python. Still working on a permanent name for him so... Anyway, I was wondering what is the best way to transport the Ball when I am going across town to my Herp meeting? I brought him home in a cloth bag.
Secondly, I liked the idea of covering the screen on top in order to hold in heat and humidity better. I have a heating pad on one side that I applied on the side of the tank near the water dish to help create humidity and a heat lamp on the other. The side with the heat lamp stays about 78 - 84 degress while the heat pad side stays right around 80. If I cover the screen partially I think I might be able to get it up some. Any suggestions? The other thing is that my daughter has bad asthma so we keep the central air on alot during the summer time.
Thirdly, he is eating very well but the previous owner was feeding 6 mice every 21 days. Is this an appropriate spacing for feeding. On his last feed he ate very well downing 6 medium mice.
I know this post (my first!!) seems kind of rambling so any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Peace!

Welcome to the site.

Those temps are way too low. Get rid of your heat lamp and use the heat pad with one of these. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...39-TT300NLH-WH

Heat lamps can suck out all the humidity out of the tank. What kind of thermometer are you using?

Wait a week before feeding your snake. Do not handle your snake before he eats for you. Feed one mouse once a week.

Welcome to BP.net!

Temperatures should be 92-94 on the warm side, and 82-84 on the cool side. Your temperatures are too cold for your snake right now. What kind of substrate are you using? Perhaps it is too thick and it's not allowing the heat from the pad to get to the tank. Do you have a thermostat on your heating pad? If not, you need to, they can overheat and burn your snake without something regulating the temperature.

Also.. what are you using to measure the temperatures? The analog dials are not accurate, a digital thermometer is the only way to go. You can get a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer/hygrometer inexpensively at any hardware store or at walmart/target.

Once a week feedings are the norm. Most people feed one prey item that is about as big around as the snake's belly is at it's widest girth.. or a bit smaller. Multiple prey items are fine, but a single one is a bit easier.

Here is our care sheet: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=52

Thanks for the response. I have 2 digital thermometers on each end of the tank.. one on the water side and one on his "shelter" side. Neither of these are directly under his lamp. When the central air is off, the tank temperatures are great 82 on cool side and 90 on hot side. Tried closing some vents today to see what happens. So you suggest adding another heat pad under the tank?


Peace!

This is the digital thermometer

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Naf Eeknay

Thanks for the response. I have 2 digital thermometers on each end of the tank.. one on the water side and one on his "shelter" side. Neither of these are directly under his lamp. When the central air is off, the tank temperatures are great 82 on cool side and 90 on hot side. Tried closing some vents today to see what happens. So you suggest adding another heat pad under the tank?


Peace!

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No, I was saying get rid of the lamp and use the heat pad alone. Do you have a hygrometer? If your snake only has one shelter, than he's going to get stressed. I would make another one for the other side so he doesn't have to decide between thermoregulating(SP?) and security.

I am using reptibark for bottom of enclosure. I don't have a heater underneath the tank as the previous owner had his on the side as well for water humidity. Do you think I should add one to the bottom as well. The room he is in now is kind of on the cool side so I know it is going to be a challenge to get these temps up.

As long as your humidity levels stay at or above 50%, there's nothing wrong with the heat lamp, and if your house is cold like you say, you may need to keep it.

If you have humidity trouble though, I'd recommend a second heat pad. Heating pads should be applied to the bottom of the tank, not the side since heat rises. Flexwatt heat tape is the best kind of under tank heat around. You can buy it by the foot, or in sections already wired. When you have a thermostat, make sure both heating pads are the same kind and size if you plug them both into the same t-stat.. you can't have two different kinds of heater on the same thermostat.

^I agree with everything said. Check out the Caging forums, I remember someone finding something to get the humidity up.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=33443

Welcome!


Some warmer conditions would be appropriate. Feeding appropriate sized food every 7 to 10 days for a 2 year old ball is fine. Just lay off the snack crickets and fish...lol... sorry!

Yes ... both of the units are hygrometers as well.

Make sure the heat pad is on the bottom. What is the humidity?

I just moved the heat pad to the bottom. The humidity was up around 55% when the central air was off but now it is 45% on one side and 48% on water side. I think Shelby was right in that I need to get a second heat pad for the bottom. My encloure is 3 foot long, 18 inches deep, and 12 inches high. The heat pad that I bought only covers just under a third of it. What does that white thing-a-magig do that you posted earlier? BTW... I did not buy a controller with the heat pad (Repti Therm 30-40 gal.) because the pet store said I didn't need one if I used just the one. If I get another... what do you all recommend?
Peace!

PS> bpkid love the avatar .... read my name backwards :)

LMAO! Too bad you guys aren't going to the playoffs.

It was a lamp dimmer. You need some sort of control no matter what. Don't listen to most pet stores, most of them don't know anything.

If i were you I would buy 3. One for the lamp,and 2 for the 2 heat pads.
Also, I would spray the tank with a bottle to keep it humid.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Welcome to BP.net!


Once a week feedings are the norm. Most people feed one prey item that is about as big around as the snake's belly is at it's widest girth.. or a bit smaller. Multiple prey items are fine, but a single one is a bit easier.

Here is our care sheet: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=52

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Thanks Shelby! I just fed him last Saturday and he downed six mice. How should I go about getting him on a more regular schedule? Maybe give him a mouse this week and see how he does. If I go two a week... that will equal what he was eating all at once every three. Also, I have never seen python poo before so it was a surprise tonight when I found some in his shelter. Is it supposed to be white? How long should it be before they go to the bathroom after eating? Sorry if these questions seem silly ... just trying to get it right.

[QUOTE=bpkid]LMAO! Too bad you guys aren't going to the playoffs.

QUOTE]

I hear you on that... although we are right there. :) Looks like I am making a run back to the store tomorrow.

Peace.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Naf Eeknay

Thanks Shelby! I just fed him last Saturday and he downed six mice. How should I go about getting him on a more regular schedule? Maybe give him a mouse this week and see how he does. If I go two a week... that will equal what he was eating all at once every three. Also, I have never seen python poo before so it was a surprise tonight when I found some in his shelter. Is it supposed to be white? How long should it be before they go to the bathroom after eating? Sorry if these questions seem silly ... just trying to get it right.

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Thats their "pee". Their poo is normal colored. They will eat as much as you give them, but thats not healthy. Just stick to one a week.

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Originally Posted by bpkid

Thats their "pee". Their poo is normal colored. They will eat as much as you give them, but thats not healthy. Just stick to one a week.

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WHAT!!!! That looked awful solid for "pee". Hmmm... there is alot more to learn here. Glad I've got this forum around!! :)

Peace

Well snakes don't pee liquid like people and most mammals.

Well, my new girl must be magical. I had liquid running down my leg and on my pants after holding her in my lap ;)

Urine can come in liquid or urate(solid) form, just to make things clear.

The urates (white chalky like substance) and the liquid urine are both products of your snake's kidney so are both quite normal as far as I know. The defecations basically just look like cat poop to me. Our BP's all pass urates/liquid urine far more often than they defecate.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

The urates (white chalky like substance) and the liquid urine are both products of your snake's kidney so are both quite normal as far as I know. The defecations basically just look like cat poop to me. Our BP's all pass urates/liquid urine far more often than they defecate.

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Ok... so there is still a chance of getting peed on then? :) I was getting my hopes up there for a second as I think Monty is the only one of my pets that hasn't peed on me yet!!

I would highly recommend you get thermostats rather than a lamp dimmer to control your heating pad. The dimmer should be fine for the lamp, but they aren't accurate enough for under tank heaters. There are several good brands of t-stat.. Ranco, Johnson, Helix, and Herpstat are all good. The first two are cheaper but not quite as accurate.

Snakes don't poo very often.. sometimes they may go a month or more without relieving themselves!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shelby

I would highly recommend you get thermostats rather than a lamp dimmer to control your heating pad. The dimmer should be fine for the lamp, but they aren't accurate enough for under tank heaters. There are several good brands of t-stat.. Ranco, Johnson, Helix, and Herpstat are all good. The first two are cheaper but not quite as accurate.

Snakes don't poo very often.. sometimes they may go a month or more without relieving themselves!

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I agree, get a T-stat!

Hey all! Thanks for all the advice. Ended up going to my local guru here to have him check out my tank setup. All he did was make a couple changes on the placement of my UTH and the light and now I have 93 on the hot side and 80 on the cool. Also was able to get the humidity to maintain between 45 - 55 percent (depending on if central air is on or not). Also, he finally went poo so now there is no more mystery on that .... it does look like a VERY long tootsie roll. :)


Thanks again!!

Peace

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Naf Eeknay

Ok... so there is still a chance of getting peed on then? :) I was getting my hopes up there for a second as I think Monty is the only one of my pets that hasn't peed on me yet!!

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oh yea deal with snakes long enough you'll get peed on and pooped on and eventuality bit. But non of the three are life threatening. LOL Enjoy your snake and welcome to the sight.