She Ate!!!

Here are some pictures...i went kind of crazy seeing how i've never seen a snake eat before :) All i can say it was a good feeling to finally see her eat though...Also, it got kind of messy, the blood on her is from the mouse, so don't be concerned...

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...4/0/SMC047.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...4/0/SMC022.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...4/0/SMC035.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...006_492816.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...4/0/SMC002.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...4/0/SMC018.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...4/0/SMC048.jpg

hope u guys like the pictures :)

Unless she is in shed, humidity in the 70% range is not needed. Bring it into the 40's or 50's if you can. ALso, it looks a little cool in there. Your cool side should not be any lower than 80*.

i know...we've been trying to fix that problem, but we can't seem to get everything perfectly squared away...we're trying...believe me. thanks for being concerned though :)

What type of bedding is that? Do you have the top of the tank covered with anything?

It's a substrate called "Eco Earth" and yes, we have a sliding mesh lid, and she's tried to get out before with no luck...

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Originally Posted by nlankas

It's a substrate called "Eco Earth" and yes, we have a sliding mesh lid, and she's tried to get out before with no luck...

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I believe he means covering the mesh with something. This is a cheap easy way to keep it both humid and the temps up.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=32800

not covered yet...working on it though...thanks for the advice :)

That's a ton of substrate

is that a good thing or bad thing? i really don't know that much about substrates, and i researched on the internet that "Eco Earth" was recommended by most websites, the petstore guy had a few snakes himself and seemed like he knew what he was doing and gave us the amount he thought was sufficient...Our tank is big though (60 gallons), so i don't know...this is what is giving us problems with our temperatures too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nlankas

is that a good thing or bad thing? i really don't know that much about substrates, and i researched on the internet that "Eco Earth" was recommended by most websites, the petstore guy had a few snakes himself and seemed like he knew what he was doing and gave us the amount he thought was sufficient...Our tank is big though (60 gallons), so i don't know...this is what is giving us problems with our temperatures too.

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I use the same stuff and mine is maybe 1/4" thick. Personally I think you have wayyy too much

If you have UTH it wouldn't allow as much heat through, and holds too much humidity.

With that amount of substrate being damp, there is a great chance of bacteria growing and scale rot is a possibility down the road if not corrected.

ok...i see what you mean...which is kind of true, our humidity is good during the day (50-60%) when the light is on, but at night will jump up to 70-80%, but the UTH still seems to get through and is quite warm...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nlankas

ok...i see what you mean...which is kind of true, our humidity is good during the day (50-60%) when the light is on, but at night will jump up to 70-80%, but the UTH still seems to get through and is quite warm...

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Way too much. Needs to be 50-60 all the time unless shedding

so what do you guys recommend i do? take out an inch or more?

I would say go down to about 1 inch of substrate, and move the water bowl off the UTH since that seems to keep the humidity up at night. I would also recommend going ahead and covering the top asap. It really is one of the best ways to make glass tanks manageable. Plus, only take no more than 5 mins to do and just nickels and dimes. No where else in the snakey world are you going to get such results for so little time and $$$.

i kno it's a lot of info being thrown on you, but everyone is just concerned......nobody means any harm .............but just to add something, a 60gal, is a little big for a ball python......they are very shy snakes, and prefer a smaller, tighter place.............if you absolutly have to have a tank that size, see if you can get a divider........it's going to be very hard to get a tank that size to heat up...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gooseman

I would say go down to about 1 inch of substrate, and move the water bowl off the UTH since that seems to keep the humidity up at night. I would also recommend going ahead and covering the top asap. It really is one of the best ways to make glass tanks manageable. Plus, only take no more than 5 mins to do and just nickels and dimes. No where else in the snakey world are you going to get such results for so little time and $$$.

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YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN!!!!!!!!! :)

yeah i know u guys are just trying to help :) it's much appreciated...i will definitely start working on taking some of the substrate out, but what did u guys use to cover the top? what kind of material?

3 layers of aluminum foil and 2 layers of duct tape to keep it down. Thats all it really takes. it acts as an insulator to keep the heat in, and closes a fair portion of the top to keep alot of the humidity in as well.

remember to leave an area roughly 6''x6'' open on top for the heat lamp and ventilation.

ok thanks.