Sweet little critter

Well, I did my research after deciding I wanted to start keeping reps, and landed on the ball python as my first pet. I'm pretty excited. I got all the necessary goodies set up, read up on what to do, and went to Wet Pets to find a snake. (Snake dealers are sparse round here.) They had exactly what I was looking for, little Ball Pythons. They are 12 weeks old, and I picked one with the normal patterns, with a lighter than usual brown tone.
I'm absolutely enthralled by this little bugger. I settled on naming it Xerxes, because it sounds too cool for a snake name. I got him home, made sure the reptarium was warm and put him in. Now, the two times I handled him, putting him in the carry box and placing him in his new home, he was very tame. He seemed a little skiddish, but did not act aggressive at all. It's all smooth sailing. The only thing is, I noticed something strange when he was laying in the tank, midway down his body his muscles contract about every 10-15 seconds. Is this normal? He was fed yesterday, so I figured either A)this is normal digestive behaviour B)He's regurgitating or C)Something might be really wrong. I couldn't find any info specifically on the question, so I'm hoping you guys can help! Thanks for reading, I look forward to learning more about ball pythons and other reps with all of you!


Here's a pic of Xerxes

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/8356/snakeku7.jpg

Nice job researching first, then picking up the snake. Good to see :cool:

Could it be that what your seeing is him breathing??
Nice foliage, btw :sunny:

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Yup sounds suspiciously like breathing to me.:D

:welcome: to the site by the way. **waves**


dr del

yea might want to rethink the plants in the pics even if they are fake

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

yea might want to rethink the plants in the pics even if they are fake

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just out of pure, honest curiosity, why?

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

yea might want to rethink the plants in the pics even if they are fake

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Why? They sell those plants at all the pet stores in my area. I bought some for our first snake, I should put them in with the cresties now :D

*off to figure out where I put them after dismantling that horrid tank*

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Originally Posted by adizziedoll

just out of pure, honest curiosity, why?

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Well any drug content is against the TOS.. ;)

Oh I thought you were saying that they needed to be removed from the tank in general, lol. But if you're saying they need not be included into any pictures posted then i understand that.

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Originally Posted by adizziedoll

Oh I thought you were saying that they needed to be removed from the tank in general, lol. But if you're saying they need not be included into any pictures posted then i understand that.

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Bingo!!

I believe that fake plant is sold a virtually every pet store labeled as, Silk Jungle Plants - Ablution. If isn't intended as drug content whats the big deal? I didn't even notice it looked like marij***a leaves until it was mentioned. Just my opinion.

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Originally Posted by geckochick

I believe that fake plant is sold a virtually every pet store labeled as, Silk Jungle Plants - Ablution. If isn't intended as drug content whats the big deal? I didn't even notice it looked like marij***a leaves until it was mentioned. Just my opinion.

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Uno!

Now wait...I messed that up somehow...

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Originally Posted by SarahMB

Uno!

Now wait...I messed that up somehow...

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LOL

Well I looked them up and they are just eco silk jungle plants.. LOL

But I'd swear they that they were well....something else

Actually, I think they're fashioned after Japanese Maple leaves. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

Well I looked them up and they are just eco silk jungle plants.. LOL

But I'd swear they that they were well....something else

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Yeah, I know. I was shocked the first time I saw them in the pet store, and then I bought them anyway. Go figure :rolleyes:

I've noticed that almost everyone with fake plants in their enclosures has them.

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Originally Posted by xdeus

Actually, I think they're fashioned after Japanese Maple leaves. :rolleyes:

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That is the most awesome tree I have ever seen. Wonder if it would grow in Texas. :giggle:

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Wonder if it would grow in Texas. :giggle:

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Yes, a Japanese Maple will grow in Texas as long as it never gets lower than 20 below in the winter time. There is also like 5 or so different varieties to choose from in colors ranging from green to scarlet.

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Originally Posted by geckochick

Yes, a Japanese Maple will grow in Texas as long as it never gets lower than 20 below in the winter time. There is also like 5 or so different varieties to choose from in colors ranging from green to scarlet.

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mine survives fine in NJ, and we do get below that. They're hardier than you would think, being so dainty.

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Originally Posted by xdeus

Actually, I think they're fashioned after Japanese Maple leaves. :rolleyes:

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Thanks for stopping the sillyness. :)

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Originally Posted by geckochick

Yes, a Japanese Maple will grow in Texas as long as it never gets lower than 20 below in the winter time.

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Yeah, I don't think that has happened since the last ice age.

hahaha i have 2 of those in my tank :rockon:

Haha, thanks, I figured it might just be me being paranoid :rolleye2: You know I didn't really think the leaves looked like *ahem* "herbs" till you alluded to it. I thought they were just maple leaves lol. I hung them from the top of a peice of driftwood.

I'm starting a new reptarium, going with one of the hinged front door larger exo-terra terrariums, for when he is bigger. I want to put live plants in to help the humidity. What would be the best options?

More pics

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/4984/xerxesvp4.jpg

Getting everything setup was alot of fun, even for such a simple first project. It looks like my office is going to turn into a zoo.

A few critiques if I may. First, get a digital thermometer/hygrometer like this, rather than those dials:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...mageloader.gif

Secondly, in addition to the dials having a reputation for being inaccurate, you've got them mounted too high in the enclosure, and you're not measuring the temps at ground level, where your snake is.

I'd also replace that 1/2 log hide, which is way too big for him with two identical small, snug hides that will touch him on all sides and the top of him when he's inside them. He's still very exposed even when inside the 1/2 log hide. He needs one hide on the warm side and one hide on the cool side so that he can thermo-regulate.

I use plastic cereal bowls from Dollar Tree, they now come 4/$1 and I just solder an entrance:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...Tub/Setup2.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...aEnclosure.jpg

Just a few tweaks to make, but you're off to a good start!

LMAO, my eyes bulged at that plant as soon as I glanced at that picture. But ya junk the dials and the half log, get yourself an accurite thermometer their like 10 bucks at wal mart. Your viv looks pretty nice so if you don't want to degrade it with tupperware lol they sell like 5 dollar caves at pet supply stores that come in small, medium, and large and they look pretty nice. Get 2 of them or the tupperware and put them on opposite ends of the viv. Put the accurite on the cool side, and put the probe of the accurite under the hot side hide slightly under the substrate.

Oh, and pause for the cause :P.

Thanks for the critiques guys. I'm going to get a better thermometer, and follow your tips on probe placement.
For the hides, I did buy a little to big of a hide, but I have an exo-terra hide in the mail. Here it is, cheap too!

I also changed out the bulb to an infrared 75 watt, and suspended it about one inch higher so it's not touching the screen, just in case he gets a little to close. I understand with the infrared you can leave it on and it won't affect the day/night light cycle, is this correct? I have a halogen light in the room several feet away on a timer in accordance with sunrise and sunset. I'm trying my best to replicate a natural environment, so I appreciate all your criticism. I'm going to setup a seperate tupperware area for feeding like the one rabernet has shown.

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Originally Posted by sigma 9

I'm going to setup a seperate tupperware area for feeding like the one rabernet has shown.

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Why?? Just feed him in his enclosure.

haha, I also have one of these in my tank and right when I brought it home my brother and sister both noticed something strange about it...lmao :P

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Originally Posted by sigma 9

I'm going to setup a seperate tupperware area for feeding like the one rabernet has shown.

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That's not a feeding enclosure, that's where mine are housed (and fed).

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Originally Posted by sigma 9

Thanks for the critiques guys. I'm going to get a better thermometer, and follow your tips on probe placement.
For the hides, I did buy a little to big of a hide, but I have an exo-terra hide in the mail. Here it is, cheap too!

I also changed out the bulb to an infrared 75 watt, and suspended it about one inch higher so it's not touching the screen, just in case he gets a little to close. I understand with the infrared you can leave it on and it won't affect the day/night light cycle, is this correct? I have a halogen light in the room several feet away on a timer in accordance with sunrise and sunset. I'm trying my best to replicate a natural environment, so I appreciate all your criticism. I'm going to setup a seperate tupperware area for feeding like the one rabernet has shown.

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That cave will be great for him. Just make sure you have two of them so he doesnt choose security over thermoregulation. There is no need to put the snake in a seperate tube for feeding. Ball pythons are notorius for beeing picky feeders, and they are a shy snake. Your snake would prefer hunting from the security of his hides. I hope this helps.

Appreciate it, I had read conflicting care sheets about feeding in a seprate container, so I will take the majority experience from you guys and feed him in his own terrarium.

Oh, what a cute snake! I really wish people weren't afraid of these wonderful creatures.