First Time Snake Owner

Hello all, this is my first snake. I picked it up a week and a half ago and am loving it. I handle it every day (except after feeding) and it is very friendly. I had the tank set up prior to getting the snake but the temps were a little shaky the first day or so. My house is at 68* but was having troubles getting the cool side up to proper temperature. I am using two UTH (one on each side) and a 150W heat lamp on the warm side. My tems are staying steady at 94 and 82. The ambient temperature is lower than the ground temperature at 78ish. My humidity however is at 40 and the snake is starting to shed. The person at the pet shop told me the humidity is not a huge problem and to help the snake shed, mist it with water once in a while durring the shedding period, is this bad?

1. What should I do to cure the humidity problem? Should I invest in a mister?

2. I do not know the sex of the snake, is this something a pet store could determine?

3. It ate its first meal on Monday just fine. Did I feed the appropriate sized mouse (pic below)? Also today I found something weird in its cage, do you think this is the regurgitated mouse because it doesn't look like poop?

4. The snake is pretty young. 21" and have yet to determine the weight. I have a scale ordered but I am guessing the snake is about 9 weeks old, does this sound right? The pet shop that I bought the snake from reccomended a 55 gallon tank. I know this could be stressful for the snake but it seems to be acting normal. Is this going to cause me any problems?

Any info would be really helpful. I surf this site daily and cannot get enough, it's awesome.

Here are some pics, let me know what you think.
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/2...e018ji1.th.jpg
http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/4...e003sv7.th.jpg
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/3...e014gr7.th.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/1...e016sk7.th.jpg
http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/715...e015ls3.th.jpg
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/6...e017rj6.th.jpg
http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/9...e012da2.th.jpg
http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/3...e011lt0.th.jpg

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Originally Posted by Jsho13

Also today I found something weird in its cage, do you think this is the regurgitated mouse because it doesn't look like poop?

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What does it look like? Does it look like a mouse? Mine regurgitated the day after its first meal, and it was just an undigested mouse covered with clear fluid.

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Originally Posted by darkangel

What does it look like? Does it look like a mouse? Mine regurgitated the day after its first meal, and it was just an undigested mouse covered with clear fluid.

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No doesn't look like a mouse. It is those last two pictures. It actually looks pretty gross, but it is just gooey brown stuff. It is almost exactly two days after the feeding.


Here are some better pics
http://www.jsho13.com/gallery/main.p...g2_itemId=5507
http://www.jsho13.com/gallery/main.p...g2_itemId=5521
http://www.jsho13.com/gallery/main.p...g2_itemId=5525
http://www.jsho13.com/gallery/main.p...g2_itemId=5531
http://www.jsho13.com/gallery/main.p...g2_itemId=5527
http://www.jsho13.com/gallery/main.p...g2_itemId=5529
http://www.jsho13.com/gallery/main.p...avId=xeb34ebf2

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Originally Posted by Jsho13

1. What should I do to cure the humidity problem? Should I invest in a mister?

40% humidity is a bit dry, but not too terribly so. A mister would be overkill. Just provide a humid hide during times of shed. (A small hide with a moist substrate in it on the warm side)

2. I do not know the sex of the snake, is this something a pet store could determine?

Most likely not. Some can, but I wouldn't risk injuring the snake by having an inexperienced pet store employee try to sex it. You don't NEED to know the sex unless you intend to breed. A qualified herp vet can tell you, or if there are any experienced keepers that live locally to you, they may be willing to do it for you.

3. It ate its first meal on Monday just fine. Did I feed the appropriate sized mouse (pic below)? Also today I found something weird in its cage, do you think this is the regurgitated mouse because it doesn't look like poop?

That is URATES...which is a solid forum of urine that they pass. Perfectly normal.

4. The snake is pretty young. 21" and have yet to determine the weight. I have a scale ordered but I am guessing the snake is about 9 weeks old, does this sound right? The pet shop that I bought the snake from reccomended a 55 gallon tank. I know this could be stressful for the snake but it seems to be acting normal. Is this going to cause me any problems?

No guess on the age, but definitely young. A 55 gal is overkill even for an adult ball python. Most babies will not do well in such a large enclosure, but some will be ok. Just make sure the environment is as it should be...and provide LOTS of hides and ground cover.

Any info would be really helpful. I surf this site daily and cannot get enough, it's awesome.

Hope that helps some. A smaller tank that doesn't need a light for supplemental heat might be easier to maintain a higher overall humidity. Also, covering the top of the screen with plastic wrap or aluminum foil can help hold in humidity. And covering three sides of the glass with cardboard will help hold in heat as well as help keep the snake from feeling so exposed by all that glass.

Welcome to BP.net! :handshake

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Originally Posted by JLC

which is a solid forum of urine that they pass.

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Judy, you've been here too long...:D

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Originally Posted by Jsho13

1. What should I do to cure the humidity problem? Should I invest in a mister?

2. I do not know the sex of the snake, is this something a pet store could determine?

3. It ate its first meal on Monday just fine. Did I feed the appropriate sized mouse (pic below)? Also today I found something weird in its cage, do you think this is the regurgitated mouse because it doesn't look like poop?

4. The snake is pretty young. 21" and have yet to determine the weight. I have a scale ordered but I am guessing the snake is about 9 weeks old, does this sound right? The pet shop that I bought the snake from reccomended a 55 gallon tank. I know this could be stressful for the snake but it seems to be acting normal. Is this going to cause me any problems?

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1/ You can mist - Switch to a subtrate that hold the humidity better (Cypress Mulch - Repti-Bark) - Have an addtional water dish above the UTH - partially cover the top of the tank - Have a Humid Hide. Here is a good example of how to maintain a tank http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=32800

2/ Try to find someone in your are has experience with popping and probing, or got to an herp vet.

3/ Can you post bigger pictures because there is no way to identify for sure what is on the picture, I have an idea but would rather know for sure.

4/ well of course the pet store recommended a 55 gallons (the bigger the more money for them) however it is way too big, even an adult does not need anything bigger then a 30-40 gallons tank. Your BP is very young and small and fact is BP do better in smaller enclosures.

The gross thing you found was urate.

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

Judy, you've been here too long...:D

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...you sayin' you want me to leave...??? :tears:






:P

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Originally Posted by JLC

...you sayin' you want me to leave...??? :tears:






:P

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no comment.

keed.

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Originally Posted by JLC

No guess on the age, but definitely young. A 55 gal is overkill even for an adult ball python. Most babies will not do well in such a large enclosure, but some will be ok. Just make sure the environment is as it should be...and provide LOTS of hides and ground cover.

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So if Jafar continues to eat and be friendly and act "normal" it will not be a problem? I really should have looked into tank size before consulting the pet shop.

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Originally Posted by Jsho13

So if Jafar continues to eat and be friendly and act "normal" it will not be a problem? I really should have looked into tank size before consulting the pet shop.

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There's no single exact way to "do it right." If he's eating and thermoregulating and not showing any other outward signs of stress...seems like it should be fine. In addition to the possible stress to the snake, it's a pain to try and heat and humidify an enclosure of that size....but it can be done...so if its working for you, then just keep it up! :)

BTW... Jafar... Hehe. Love it! :D

http://www.jsho13.com/gallery/main.p...g2_itemId=5507
^^^ wtff... the snakes head looks like its popping out of your hand in that picture lmaoooooo

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Originally Posted by darkangel

BTW... Jafar... Hehe. Love it! :D

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Haha yeah my girlfriend chose the name




Question: If I can get rid of this tank (actually I will use it for fish) what kind of plastic cage or tub should I go with for? I really like the tub idea but I want something that displays Jafar just like an aquarium - any suggestions? I have looked into a few options and I really like the Vision Cage but are definately out of my price range right now. Any suggestions? Thanks you guys are great.

-Josh

Last Question I swear!! I usually feed on Mondays but as it turns out I am leaving on vacation for a week next friday. Should I wait to feed right before I leave or keep to the regular feeding day?

My cool side temperatures are fluctuating a little bit (78-84). I have a UTH on both sides of the tank and was thinking of adding another heat light maybe 75W on the cool side. With doing this I was going to add a thermostat as well. Is it worth going through this trouble or should I just cut my losses and buy a plastic cage. I want something that displays my snake like the aquarium, does anyone have any ideas or links? Thanks.

Good lord! a 55 gallon tank for a 9 week/month? ( don't remember ) BP!

The guy i got mine from said to get a 10 gallon tank for now, unless i wanted something for it to grow into, in which i got a 20 gallon tank. Mine never had any trouble, he was very young maybe a couple months, I was alot happier with how things were going when i first got it then i am now. I'm always worrying about keeping it humid, long sheds, and him being very aggresive to the point of i'm giving him time to settle down before i start handling him again. I guess you're not suppose to handle them when you first get them, i had mine out a few times a day and he was always all over the place.

I don't know what i'm trying to prove here, just saying something from my experiance, or lack there of.