maybe O/T...but let me introduce myself

I am new to the site and decided to introduce myself. My name is Tim and I am 19 years old and just bought my first snake. It was kind of an impulse buy since I have always wanted a snake and decided now was the time to get it. I did not jump overboard like many do when it came to buying this snake. I already had a 10G tank, lid, and light from my 2 red eared sliders(turtles). I was told that all I would need to finish setting up a tank would be some bedding, a place for it to hide, and a water bowl. So I bought some of the bark(researched it first and only found out to make sure not to buy cedar), a corner bowl, and a half log type thing. Not sure on the length yet but so far is eating great. I was told by the pet shop that is was being fed a fuzzie and pinkie once a week so that is what I have fed it once a week for the past 2 weeks(just got it). I am not sure if it is a male or female, is there an easy way to find out, or take it to a vet? Pics to come soon, feeding was today and I am going by what everyone says and not handling it for the next 48 hours.

Also, what does the 0.0.1 and 0.1.1 and all that mean?

Check out this link:
http://ball-pythons.net/modules.php?...warticle&id=52

And this one:
http://ball-pythons.net/modules.php?...warticle&id=34

I'm figuring the light is a UVB light which isn't required for snakes. You will need a lamp of some sort---a red light or blue light so you can leave it on all the time---or an undertank heater. You need to give the snake a temperature range... one end of the tank needs to be warmer and the other end needs to be cooler so he can regulate his temperature. This will require another hide... one for the cool side, one for the hotter side.

Read the care sheet... you're going to have to get a guage---Accurite is good, from Walmart---to measure the temps and humidity.

Have fun ;)

Welcome aboard :welcome: !


0.1.2 means 0 males 1 female and 2 unknowns

Check out the care sheets. They're awesome and using the SEARCH on the site will help you find threads about all sorts of different topics and the answers to the regularly asked questions.

Warning: BPs are addictive and such an awesome snake to get. Glad to hear you're already picking up on the tips (like waiting 48 hrs after feeding before handling again. :D )

Glad to have another new member here.

:handshake


R

welcome to bp.net!

balls like to have two hides... one on the warm side and one on the cool side... but you'll learn that reading the caresheet on this site.

:D what did ya name him/her? and... we looove pics!

Welcome to the sight. Glad to have you. and also glad to see all your questions got answered. Fell freed to make yourself at home

Heating is very important with any ectothermic species. Again, most of that is covered in the caresheet. Most pet stores do not have very knowledgeable staff, that know the difference between the heating requirements. Measuring those temps are equally important. Get yourself a digital thermometer to measure those temps. ;)

I will look forward to seeing some pictures of your bp soon! :welcome:

Tim,
The forum members have already given you some great advice. This is a great place to come and learn, and to brag about your snake. Welcome to the site, and it's good to see another Louisiana boy on here. I'm about 50 miles north of you across the lake.
Welcome aboard,

Hey welcome to the forum, hope to be able and help you out with whatever concerns you have with your first snake. Beware of the ball python fever, once it hits you're done for. :sick:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

Heating is very important with any ectothermic species. Again, most of that is covered in the caresheet. Most pet stores do not have very knowledgeable staff, that know the difference between the heating requirements. Measuring those temps are equally important. Get yourself a digital thermometer to measure those temps. ;)

I will look forward to seeing some pictures of your bp soon! :welcome:

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yea i notice. they told me my UVB light was sufficient for heating...needless to say i will be ordering my UTH, a UVA bulb, and 2 thermostats today. Do the 500R thermostats have a thermometer that you can view on the outside or do they just automatically kick on? Should I buy an exo terra sun glo bulb to go with an UTH and have one of the red heat glo for the night(how many watts?)? Also, I saw the exo terra UTH, will the 8x8 be sufficient size for a 10 gal tank along with the bulb?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

yea i notice. they told me my UVB light was sufficient for heating...needless to say i will be ordering my UTH, a UVA bulb, and 2 thermostats today. Do the 500R thermostats have a thermometer that you can view on the outside or do they just automatically kick on? Should I buy an exo terra sun glo bulb to go with an UTH and have one of the red heat glo for the night(how many watts?)? Also, I saw the exo terra UTH, will the 8x8 be sufficient size for a 10 gal tank along with the bulb?

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Bps are nocturnal and do not need anything beyond ambient light. No uva or uvb bulbs required. If you want to use bulbs go for the red heat glo for the night. Too much white light will stress them out.

A uth is essential, and can be controlled by a single thermostat. You'll want to have a digital thermometer as well to double check your temps and make sure your probe hasn't gone wonky.

You also will want your temps stable 24/7. Don't use a night drop unless you are actively breeding.

As for the size of the UTH, it will depend on how cold your room is. That's one of those things you kinda have to fidget with.

How big is your bp? A 10 gallon won't hold a bp for long, and is difficult to heat. Just a word of warning. :rolleyes:

Yea a 10gal is hard to get the proper temperature gradient. I've had my 2 bps in a 20gal long tank since they were hatchlings without a problem. Just have 2 hides and lots of foliage for cover, oh and a branch for when they want to lay out by the pool/water bowl and catch some sun.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

Yea a 10gal is hard to get the proper temperature gradient. I've had my 2 bps in a 20gal long tank since they were hatchlings without a problem. Just have 2 hides and lots of foliage for cover, oh and a branch for when they want to lay out by the pool/water bowl and catch some sun.

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hmm maybe it is time for a new tank then. right now it has a half log in one side, the bark ground stuff, a water dish on the other side of the hide, and a 50 watt(i think) UVB white bulb above the bowl.

Yea, I think you would be better off IMO.

how about this for an order for the heating/lights?

Digital thermometer for the colder side.
http://www.mgreptiles.com/FLUKERTHERMO.html

Thermostat to keep the light and UTH going(can both of these be hooked up to the 500R at once?)
http://www.mgreptiles.com/ZOOSTAT.html

UTH, maybe the 11x10
http://www.mgreptiles.com/EXOUTH.html

Accurite thermometers are $11 or so at walmart, and have a probe so you ca monitor temps on both sides of the tank, as well as keep it recording max and min so you can tell if you have any fluxuations going on at night or when you arent looking.

If you're gonna spend 20 bucks on a thermometer i would go out to your local wal-mart or garderning store and try to find the Accurite Thermometer and Hydrometer, this will allow you to keep track of the temps on both your warm and cool side along with your humidity, and i think its around 15 dollars.


The thermostat should be ok to handing both heating units as long as the watts of both units combined does not exceed what the thermostat can handle.

As for the heat mat I would get one that covers 1/3 of your tank floor space. Although come winter time depending on where you keep your tank additional heat might be needed to maintain the proper temps.