Just Introducing Myself And Cain

Hello Guys. New to the group here. Show you guys my boy Cain. It's funny that I even have a snake of any kind(deathly afraid of them before this guy). I used to work for animal control in FL. I rescued him after some lady came home to find him on her doorstep. I'm glad she wasn't on of those carzy people that just kills every snake that they see. I've had him for about a month now. He eats good (one med rat a week). He was a little thin when I got him but he has had a rat three rats since I have had him (he shed the third week that I had him). Wanted to show you guys his set up, and him. Any comments or feedback would be welcome.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/caindiag.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/100_2407.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/100_2398.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/100_2385.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/100_2388.jpg

ooo big problem I see is you need two hide boxes in that tank, one on the hot side 89-93degrees and one on the cool side 82-88degrees, also you just need one water bowl just keep it fresh.

Nice looking snake thanks for rescuing it, they are great animals.

Congrats on the find the whole setup looks great. Might I add you give him a hide. And buy a lesser wtt for the cool side of the tank..Its great to have more floridans. What part of fl you from?

hot side 88
cool side 82

Welcome to BP.net! :) I'm glad Cain found his way off someone's doorstep and into a home of someone who wants to care for him.

I've got a couple of questions/comments

-- Is the "rock" labeled in the picture just a regular rock or is it a heat rock? If it's a heat rock, I would toss it immediately. Those are very dangerous for reptiles.

-- I know he was probably a little emmaciated when he came to you, but most people here are going to reccomend that you feed your boy one small rat every 7 days; anything larger than that is really too large of a meal for him.

-- In the photo, I don't see any hides in his tank. BPs should have 2 hides, one on the warm side of the tank and one on the cool side (ideally, identical hides).

There may be some things I've missed/neglected to ask. I'm sure someone else will be along in time ;) Don't worry if we all start asking you fifty questions--we're just trying to help.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by crisstyle21

Congrats on the find the whole setup looks great. Might I add you give him a hide. And buy a lesser wtt for the cool side of the tank..Its great to have more floridans. What part of fl you from?

hot side 88
cool side 82

---

Most (including myself) will tell you:

hot side: 90-95
cool side: 80-85

As far as the temperate gradient is concerned.

Oh also check temps above that heat pad, they tent to get too hot without some sort of controller, if anything add alot more substrate to that areafor now if its too hot. Def. get two hides they dont like being in the open like that. and they need the warm and warmer side so they can thermoregulate themselves.

He's a good looking snake!!

This will help you alot with your set up...
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=32800

You do need the hides, a warm and cool side, and if that is a heating rock, it really, really needs to go. They can get burned real easy one those. Of course if it's just a normal rock, cool ^_^

And congrats on your new addition!! Your going to love him! :D

It's cool. I had a had hides in there for three weeks and he never used them. He just laid around them. No heat rock. It's a regular slate rock. And the cool sides light doesn't run during the day. it's gets swapped at night with the day light. Temps run about 90-92 hot side. 82-84 cool side. I am having a bit of a prob keeping the humidity up. Fort Walton Beach, FL.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AzureN1ght

Most (including myself) will tell you:

hot side: 90-95
cool side: 80-85

As far as the temperate gradient is concerned.

---

True, but humidity is also a important factor. So I never keep my hotspot in the 90s. I love to have my hotspot around 88-89

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by crisstyle21

True, but humidity is also a important factor. So I never keep my hotspot in the 90s. I love to have my hotspot around 88-89

---

For the health of your BP--it's best to have your warm side 90-95 AND have the right humidity (50-60%). If you use a tank, there are some really good threads on how to set up your tank to maintain the right heat AND the right humidity.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pugnacious_apbt

It's cool. I had a had hides in there for three weeks and he never used them. He just laid around them. No heat rock. It's a regular slate rock. And the cool sides light doesn't run during the day. it's gets swapped at night with the day light. Temps run about 90-92 hot side. 82-84 cool side. I am having a bit of a prob keeping the humidity up. Fort Walton Beach, FL.

---

Your temps sound perfect!

I bet your hides were probably too large for him, which is why he probably didn't use them. Was he able to JUST cram himself in them, or were they really roomy?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by crisstyle21

True, but humidity is also a important factor. So I never keep my hotspot in the 90s. I love to have my hotspot around 88-89

---

It's great that YOU love it having it 88-89, but your snake will love having it 92-94 degrees. I don't have a problem with my humidity - what are you housing yours in that you are having difficulties and have to keep your warm side cooler?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

Your temps sound perfect!

I bet your hides were probably too large for him, which is why he probably didn't use them. Was he able to JUST cram himself in them, or were they really roomy?

---

They were the large half logs by Flukers. Cain's about 4 and a half foot long. Part of him would hang out when he did use them. He stopped using them and would just curl up around them. I dunno. He seems to like just sitting out and watching everything that goes on in my room. Nothing seems to bother him.

Half logs are terrible hides and dont offer much in the way of security.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pugnacious_apbt

They were the large half logs by Flukers. Cain's about 4 and a half foot long. Part of him would hang out when he did use them. He stopped using them and would just curl up around them. I dunno. He seems to like just sitting out and watching everything that goes on in my room. Nothing seems to bother him.

---

There was actually a really good thread about BPs and hides that was just posted a few days ago--I'll link you :)

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=45693

BPs like hides that are snug from all sides: all around and above. Hides with only one entrance hole is best. The photos in that thread are great examples of just HOW snug!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

It's great that YOU love it having it 88-89, but your snake will love having it 92-94 degrees. I don't have a problem with my humidity - what are you housing yours in that you are having difficulties and have to keep your warm side cooler?

---

92 - 95? Thats to high... The hot side in my breeder tubs run 87-90 (cool side 82-84) if it ever gets hotter they all cram on the cool side. Remember Africa may get HOT but Ball Pythons mostly live in termite mounds UNDERGROUND where it dosent get that hot...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NextWorldExotics

92 - 95? Thats to high... The hot side in my breeder tubs run 87-90 (cool side 82-84) if it ever gets hotter they all cram on the cool side. Remember Africa may get HOT but Ball Pythons mostly live in termite mounds UNDERGROUND where it dosent get that hot...

---

Too high according to who? I said 92-94 (but what's one degree?). That's what Adam has been keeping his temps at for years, and whose advice I've followed since I've had my snakes. Who better to take advice from than someone who's kept theirs successfully for 20+ years with those temps? They do great and eat every week with those temps. I think you'll find that most of the keepers here also use 82-84 on the cool side and 92-94 on the warm side with great results. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

Too high according to who? I said 92-94 (but what's one degree?). That's what Adam has been keeping his temps at for years, and whose advice I've followed since I've had my snakes. Who better to take advice from than someone who's kept theirs successfully for 20+ years with those temps? They do great and eat every week with those temps. I think you'll find that most of the keepers here also use 82-84 on the cool side and 92-94 on the warm side with great results. :)

---

No problem, not trying to cause an argument... but if you talk ot most of the largest breeders out there they will tell you over 90 is to high... But if it has been working for you and others, the by all means keep it going. If its not broken dont fix it! :)

Welcome to the forum! Cain's a major cutie!! :sweeet:

Being a first time owner I'm sure you'll learn alot from this site! Everyone's always willing to help. (as you can tell so far :) )

A little off topic but nice sig. I'd sure love to see some pix of your bullies also!

I <3 pb's! :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NextWorldExotics

No problem, not trying to cause an argument... but if you talk ot most of the largest breeders out there they will tell you over 90 is to high... But if it has been working for you and others, the by all means keep it going. If its not broken dont fix it! :)

---

NERD's book recommends 88-95 degrees for the warm side (or basking side). So, at least one of the largest breeders recommends warmer temps. :)

I use low wattage bulbs. I live in FL.I try to keep room at 80 by closing my a/c vent in my room. I use about a 60wtt daylight to keep the temps at 86-88 on the hott side. at night I drop the temp by using a night light thats 50wtts.


Hey I guess my snake loves this method. Ive been raising her for 12 years.(lol i must say that in every thread)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by daaangconcepts

Welcome to the forum! Cain's a major cutie!! :sweeet:

Being a first time owner I'm sure you'll learn alot from this site! Everyone's always willing to help. (as you can tell so far :) )

A little off topic but nice sig. I'd sure love to see some pix of your bullies also!

I <3 pb's! :D

---

Here's my boy Blue
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture190.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture185.jpg

Aww!!!:D What a handsome boy! How old is he?

Dude before you take anymore pics i would clean up your place :O Cig butts all over the floor i mean come on.

He's almost three. What part of VA are you from? I'm from (don't laugh) Southampton County. 757 Baby! I love your Av.
Thanx guys. I changed my set up a little bit. Threw some hides on both sides. They're made out of compressed coconut bark.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/100_2410.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/100_2408.jpg

And here's my favorite of Blue
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/100_2226.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JabbaTheMutts

Dude before you take anymore pics i would clean up your place :O Cig butts all over the floor i mean come on.

---

Dude that isn't my crib. I own my home and it would never look like that. That was a chicks house that I was dating. Chill homie.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pugnacious_apbt

He's almost three. What part of VA are you from? I'm from (don't laugh) Southampton County. 757 Baby! I love your Av.

---

I'm from Fredericksburg/Stafford Va. Its basically inbetween Richmond and DC. Is southampton near va beach? I'm like 3 hours from there.

Blue is a cutie. Is he the only pit you have?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by daaangconcepts

I'm from Fredericksburg/Stafford Va. Its basically inbetween Richmond and DC. Is southampton near va beach? I'm like 3 hours from there.

Blue is a cutie. Is he the only pit you have?

---

Nah Southampton County is below Suffolk and Norfolk. Closer to the NC state line.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pugnacious_apbt

Fort Walton Beach, FL.

---

cool snake! Glad to see you are taking care of it! ;)

I lived in Niceville for 2 years! I LOVE that place!!! My oldest daughter was born in Pensacola and my son was born in Crestview! I miss it like CRAZY! :rolleye2:

btw...nice to meet you! :handshake

*edit...I just saw the pics of Blue...What a beautiful Pit! He is awesome!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JabbaTheMutts

Dude before you take anymore pics i would clean up your place :O Cig butts all over the floor i mean come on.

---

All that time spent typing about something you have no business commenting on when you could have been helping with welcoming and helping with his setup problems. Rude man real rude.


Welcome to the sight. You and Cain.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

All that time spent typing about something you have no business commenting on when you could have been helping with welcoming and helping with his setup problems. Rude man real rude.


Welcome to the sight. You and Cain.

---

VERY WELL SAID! :gj:

Absolutely gorgeous BP you have there! Love his colors!! (And the doggie looks like a real sweetheart, too!!)


The hides are still way big. You could go with a pair that are about 1/3 the size of the one he is laying on top of and you'd be good to go. He still may not use them for a few days because it typically takes these snakes quite a while to adjust to new things in their environments. Sounds like you have a really laid-back BP, though!

As for the temperature debate...all I have to say is that there is no exact, precise and only-one-right way of doing it. People have had GREAT success with the 90-92 (or 92-94) hot spot...and others with a hot spot in the upper 80's. If it's working for your BP, then I say that's great.

I think we can all agree that temps consistently over 95 are way too hot...and temps consistently below 75 are way too cold. I prefer to keep mine 80-82 on the cool side and 90-92 on the warm side...but I don't believe there is no other way to keep a BP healthy and happy. ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

Too high according to who? I said 92-94 (but what's one degree?). That's what Adam has been keeping his temps at for years, and whose advice I've followed since I've had my snakes. Who better to take advice from than someone who's kept theirs successfully for 20+ years with those temps? They do great and eat every week with those temps. I think you'll find that most of the keepers here also use 82-84 on the cool side and 92-94 on the warm side with great results. :)

---

Just so everyone here that goes by Adam's husbandry practices doesn't think Jon is delusional, in VPI's Ball Pythons of the World, Vol. II book, they describe keeping their ball pythons at ambient 78-80 with a basking spot of 86, never warming them to above 90. Subadult and growing ball pythons are kept at 80-82 constant without basking spots.

Just so we all realise there is more than one "right" way to keep these snakes and no one gets jumped on for keeping the basking spot under 90-94.

Love the Blues! You dog has a great coat! What a doll... :D

Cain is pretty as well! Hello & Welcome :sunny:

Wow...your pit is gorgeous!!! What a face! ^_^ Cain is a beaut as well...you've got some nice animals. :D

Cute snake :D. Trust me and everyone here, he will LOVE a small hide he can snuggle into. My boy spends most of his time in his. I used some small bowls from Target and drilled an entrance hole into the side. It takes him a minute to wedge himself into it, but he seems to like it that way.

And your pit is just gorgeous.

If anyone actually feels the need to continue the discussion about neg rep hits, they may do so in the Quarantine Room.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=45945

Send me a PM if you don't have access and wish to do so.

Thanx for all the love guys. Cain is well in his new hides. He's taken to the one on the cool side and has been in there every since I put them in the cage with them. I wrapped up his lid and it is helping a lot with keeping the humidity in. I have more on a problem getting them down now (69% right now). And Blue is as well as ever. Thanx again for the love guys.