Seriously guys.. hes not eating :(

my new baby BP isnt eating and im stressin out here.. i got him a little fuzzy mouse

Check Adam's website. There's a great article about how to get hatchlings started.

http://www.8ballpythons.com/journal/...ingseating.htm

Live or f/t?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JBallPython

Live or f/t?

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F/t

When did you first get him?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

When did you first get him?

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like yesterday.. he's a skinny little guy.. he's happy.. maybe ill wait a week with a live hopper??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JBallPython

Live or f/t?

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so put a live mouse in? :confused: overnight? seems confusing to me, do i basically want to make him starved?

When you have his tank all set up, proper heat and humidity, with 2 identical hides, you give the snake 2 weeks of alone time.
These 2 weeks will ensure that your new baby is acclimated to his environment, and that is when you should offer him a fuzzy mouse. Only handle him when it is absolutely necessary, for cleaning any really messy pee etc.
With that in mind, he should be well on his way to being a great feeder. 90% of the time a snake does not eat is because of his husbandry, and STRESS.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

When you have his tank all set up, proper heat and humidity, with 2 identical hides, you give the snake 2 weeks of alone time.
These 2 weeks will ensure that your new baby is acclimated to his environment, and that is when you should offer him a fuzzy mouse. Only handle him when it is absolutely necessary, for cleaning any really messy pee etc.
With that in mind, he should be well on his way to being a great feeder. 90% of the time a snake does not eat is because of his husbandry, and STRESS.

---

i don't have 2 identical hides, i have a cave and a cork log thing so he chills under that, i thought the tank was to big for him so today i added some stuff to make it look not so big and scary for him. I'll let him settle in

I didnt know you had such a tall tank, with little floor space. Please keep in mind that this is not an arboreal species, and it will be difficult to keep proper humidity and temps in one so tall. I highly suggest you go to walmart, and buy a 4$ 12 qt tub for him as soon as you have 4$. If he is really a hatchling, this is the size most advise. Get him two identical hides, like a plant pot saucer, with a hole cut in the side, and a water dish. You want this animal to hide, and feel snug and safe. They arent good display animals as say a chameleon, but they are great animals to keep. Hope this helps you figure out what is more important.

I wouldn't wait two weeks, I would set it up and leave it alone for one week. Then try feeding. Did you do any research at all before buying the animal? I agree with the fact that if it doesn't eat it is because your husbandry is off and the animal is stressed.

No you never leave a live rodent in with your snake. Live feeding must always be supervised.

I suggest you do some serious reading and research NOW because you obviously don't know what you should.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rockyhorror

I wouldn't wait two weeks, I would set it up and leave it alone for one week. Then try feeding. Did you do any research at all before buying the animal? I agree with the fact that if it doesn't eat it is because your husbandry is off and the animal is stressed.

No you never leave a live rodent in with your snake. Live feeding must always be supervised.

---

Exactly, I had no idea what size your animal is. One week should suffice

Quote:

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I suggest you do some serious reading and research NOW because you obviously don't know what you should.

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I highly suggest you do, I've read through your last posts, and it almost seems you dont want to do the footwork yourself in learning as much as you can.

Get your husbandry squared away first.

Check out this caresheet http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

Once you are on track with this, wait at least a week until you feed your BP and don't worry if it doesn't eat next week. Just try again the following week. I had a baby BP that didn't eat for 4 weeks (some people have gone longer), and now she is a fantastic eater.

Also, if you want to use a glass tank, check out this link http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=32800
It shows how to set one up. Personally I use tubs.

Also, start spending sometime using the search function for any questions you may have. Many of the problems new owners have faced have been discussed many times. This will help alleviate any anxiety you may have while waiting for a response to any particular problems you may face in the future. I have searched for many topics and have had great success in solving several issues that I have encountered.
Good luck with everything.

This is my tank setup.
By the way, i do have a tub ready to go.. i just don't have a heat pad for it.
Oh and I have been researching for months now, but my dad wants what he wants and not what the snake needs.
http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/.../IMAGE_022.jpg

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/.../IMAGE_020.jpg

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/.../IMAGE_019.jpg

I think i may just switch to the tub after work tonight.... thanks for showing me this info, and making me feel like the worst person in the world.

sorry also the the temp is 86.1 and humidity is 42% humidity is low and i agree its very hard to control.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bright202

Oh and I have been researching for months now, but my dad wants what he wants and not what the snake needs.

---

As has been suggested before on other threads you've started, it probably would have been best to wait on getting your snake until you could talk with your dad and get the snake when you could get what the snake needs, and not what a human wants, but what's done is done.

Leave your snake alone for a full week. Don't touch him, don't handle him - THEN offer him something to eat. Do not offer day after day after day.

It's not surprising that your snake didn't eat without given a week to settle in. He's acting perfectly normal for a new ball python in a new and stressful situation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rabernet

As has been suggested before on other threads you've started, it probably would have been best to wait on getting your snake until you could talk with your dad and get the snake when you could get what the snake needs, and not what a human wants, but what's done is done.

Leave your snake alone for a full week. Don't touch him, don't handle him - THEN offer him something to eat. Do not offer day after day after day.

It's not surprising that your snake didn't eat without given a week to settle in. He's acting perfectly normal for a new ball python in a new and stressful situation.

---

Okay, when i get off work tonight im moving him to his tub, everything goin,
i dont have a heat pad though for the tub.. ARG i feel so bad now

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bright202

Okay, when i get off work tonight im moving him to his tub, everything goin,
i dont have a heat pad though for the tub.. ARG i feel so bad now

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Don't move him to the tub until you have heat for it - you don't need to have a non-feeding snake with a respiratory infection to boot!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bright202

Oh and I have been researching for months now, but my dad wants what he wants and not what the snake needs.

---

Have you ever thought about having your dad spend some time with you browsing the threads on this site? Just a thought. Also don't feel like the worst person. New owners make mistakes. It happens. The important thing is to find a way to fix those mistakes for the benefit of your pet. I used to think that I needed a big fancy tank, but after a lot of research, I decided to go with a tub and now I never doubt that I made a good decision. It's what works for me.
As far as the feeding problems, several people here have been having problems recently. There are several good threads in the BP Husbandry forum that may help you out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RockSolid

Have you ever thought about having your dad spend some time with you browsing the threads on this site? Just a thought. Also don't feel like the worst person. New owners make mistakes. It happens. The important thing is to find a way to fix those mistakes for the benefit of your pet. I used to think that I needed a big fancy tank, but after a lot of research, I decided to go with a tub and now I never doubt that I made a good decision. It's what works for me.
As far as the feeding problems, several people here have been having problems recently. There are several good threads in the BP Husbandry forum that may help you out.

---

Thank you.

Ahh I'm feeling the stress, I dont want to be a bad person.. unfortunately he has to stay in that tank until i can get either a small 10-15 gal tank or a UTH for the tub, maximum 2 week wait or less. I hope thats not too harsh, how can i make the humidity go up to at least 50-60%
P.S. my humidity is at around 42% :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bright202

Ahh I'm feeling the stress, I dont want to be a bad person.. unfortunately he has to stay in that tank until i can get either a small 10-15 gal tank or a UTH for the tub, maximum 2 week wait or less. I hope thats not too harsh, how can i make the humidity go up to at least 50-60%
P.S. my humidity is at around 42% :(

---

He'll be fine in that tank for the time being. Don't stress too much. And 42% humidity isn't ideal, but it's not going to hurt him either. To bump it, you could try putting a wet (wrung out) loose wad of paper towel in his tank and just change it out with a fresh one each day.

As for your humidity.. it's in the FAQ:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=30763

And also in the Caresheet:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

Don't feel bad about that. And try to take deep breaths. You aren't going to kill your snake just by waiting a little while. I have my now 3 month old (or so) in a 20L tank and started with my humidity hardly going over 42% as well. She even snuck in a shed on me at that level and it ended up fine.

As long as you know what you need to do, and get it done ASAP, you and your snake should be just fine. :) Just try and relax...stress does no more good for you than for the snake.

BRIGHT202, everything you have done is normal.

Snakes are easy to care for once you get used to them, but until then, it really does seem close to impossable. I spent weeks stressing out with my corn snakes then the balls but now Im good. I spent alot of $$ thats just sitting in my basement now cause it was sold to me as "a must have" buy store store people.

Your humidity is ok , can try the damp newspaper or papertowel but isnt nessesary. Just watch temps, one hide should be 90-92. I would get a few more hides in there, hides can be a small shoebox with a hole, old tupperware with a hole , anything it doesnt need to cost $$ or be pretty.

Leave him for the week. Pick a day that you are normally home or have will have time same day every week.

I feed FT so what I do is fill a small bowl with HOT tap water put mouse in for a few min, then pour out and refill with HOT tap water again till mouse is nice and thawed.

Leave the bowl near the cage as the smell will reach the snake. Use tongs ($2 store bought) and hold the mouse dangle it around his hide and near the opening of it. He should start to stick his head out if hes interested. If so wiggle a little and move it a little closer and he should hit it. If not place mouse on some newspaper and place near the opening (dont want the aspen to get in his mouth)

If still nothing try a live one in a few days, but dont leave the room while its in there.

I wrote waaaayy to much :P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Argentra

Don't feel bad about that. And try to take deep breaths. You aren't going to kill your snake just by waiting a little while. I have my now 3 month old (or so) in a 20L tank and started with my humidity hardly going over 42% as well. She even snuck in a shed on me at that level and it ended up fine.

As long as you know what you need to do, and get it done ASAP, you and your snake should be just fine. :) Just try and relax...stress does no more good for you than for the snake.

---

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dorrox

BRIGHT202, everything you have done is normal.

Snakes are easy to care for once you get used to them, but until then, it really does seem close to impossable. I spent weeks stressing out with my corn snakes then the balls but now Im good. I spent alot of $$ thats just sitting in my basement now cause it was sold to me as "a must have" buy store store people.

Your humidity is ok , can try the damp newspaper or papertowel but isnt nessesary. Just watch temps, one hide should be 90-92. I would get a few more hides in there, hides can be a small shoebox with a hole, old tupperware with a hole , anything it doesnt need to cost $$ or be pretty.

Leave him for the week. Pick a day that you are normally home or have will have time same day every week.

I feed FT so what I do is fill a small bowl with HOT tap water put mouse in for a few min, then pour out and refill with HOT tap water again till mouse is nice and thawed.

Leave the bowl near the cage as the smell will reach the snake. Use tongs ($2 store bought) and hold the mouse dangle it around his hide and near the opening of it. He should start to stick his head out if hes interested. If so wiggle a little and move it a little closer and he should hit it. If not place mouse on some newspaper and place near the opening (dont want the aspen to get in his mouth)

If still nothing try a live one in a few days, but dont leave the room while its in there.

I wrote waaaayy to much :)

---

Thank you guys, it relieves the stress for me, like in my other posts my dad wantes him in a tank that wasn't proper for the snake, but he has now allowed to to switch to the tub. one question though, i was reading the DIY for plastic housing and wanted to know if i put a lamp on the tub to i need a UTH right away, because i wont be able to get a UTH for about 2 weeks so what should I do.
Thanks again


-Mitch

Relieves the stress for you??? And you "Hope that this isn't too harsh"???? I deleted my last post just because I figured other newer members who hadn't read the history of your posts didn't need to see it and get a bad perception of the forum in general, but you just don't listen to anyone.

You wouldn't need to be stressed out - and neither would your poor snake - if you'd bothered to listen to any of the multitude of us who told you *before* you got the snake to wait until you could ensure everything with your Dad was worked out before bringing it home. And given that same advice in countless posts on here, and yet you still decided act rashly and bring one home right away KNOWING that you couldn't offer the snake the proper care. I also recall a member telling you to go ahead and bring one home, then feed him and watch him refuse it, and then try again and watch him refuse it, then get your dad to try and watch the snake refuse again - and then pay the vet bill.... No yeah, this is harsh, but you were given all this information in advance and you still failed to listen to anyone. And now, you're asking for help again and saying that you feel so bad and are stressed out - yet you're still failing to actually take any of the advice until it's convenient for you to do so.

No, a light most likely won't do the trick for the warm side because they really need belly heat, the lamp will just end up heating up the entire tank, or making it too hot towards the top of the enclosure and not hot enough at the bottom, and risking burns if you're measuring the temp at ground level where he needs it, but then if he rubs against the top of the tub where it's definately hotter but not measured.

If you can't afford a 25$ (from petsmart, which is the pricyest place to get it) UTH for another 2 weeks, what are you going to do if you ever need to take him to the vet?

Print off some research and give it to your Father and get the snake properly taken care of now - not later when you risk it getting even skinnier and sick on top of that.

And I really do appologize to any other members. I try to offer the best help and advice I can to any member, and especially to new members and people who are actually putting the care of their pets above their own 'wants'... But after following the multitude of threads telling him *exactly* what would happen if he brought home the animal and put it in the type of home he was providing - his completely ignoring that and doing it anyway - and then asking for help when exactly what he was told would happen happened...

Well, I just don't have much tolerance for people who blatently disregard the needs of an animal - that's why we require rescue centers and shelters.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GirDance

Relieves the stress for you??? And you "Hope that this isn't too harsh"???? I deleted my last post just because I figured other newer members who hadn't read the history of your posts didn't need to see it and get a bad perception of the forum in general, but you just don't listen to anyone.

You wouldn't need to be stressed out - and neither would your poor snake - if you'd bothered to listen to any of the multitude of us who told you *before* you got the snake to wait until you could ensure everything with your Dad was worked out before bringing it home. And given that same advice in countless posts on here, and yet you still decided act rashly and bring one home right away KNOWING that you couldn't offer the snake the proper care. I also recall a member telling you to go ahead and bring one home, then feed him and watch him refuse it, and then try again and watch him refuse it, then get your dad to try and watch the snake refuse again - and then pay the vet bill.... No yeah, this is harsh, but you were given all this information in advance and you still failed to listen to anyone. And now, you're asking for help again and saying that you feel so bad and are stressed out - yet you're still failing to actually take any of the advice until it's convenient for you to do so.

No, a light most likely won't do the trick for the warm side because they really need belly heat, the lamp will just end up heating up the entire tank, or making it too hot towards the top of the enclosure and not hot enough at the bottom, and risking burns if you're measuring the temp at ground level where he needs it, but then if he rubs against the top of the tub where it's definately hotter but not measured.

If you can't afford a 25$ (from petsmart, which is the pricyest place to get it) UTH for another 2 weeks, what are you going to do if you ever need to take him to the vet?

Print off some research and give it to your Father and get the snake properly taken care of now - not later when you risk it getting even skinnier and sick on top of that.

And I really do appologize to any other members. I try to offer the best help and advice I can to any member, and especially to new members and people who are actually putting the care of their pets above their own 'wants'... But after following the multitude of threads telling him *exactly* what would happen if he brought home the animal and put it in the type of home he was providing - his completely ignoring that and doing it anyway - and then asking for help when exactly what he was told would happen happened...

Well, I just don't have much tolerance for people who blatently disregard the needs of an animal - that's why we require rescue centers and shelters.

---

Uhh okay, I'm sorry that your upset with me, but OBVIOUSLY you don't understand what I've been saying I wanted to keep him in the tub, but my dad didn't want him in a tub. But after I had received complaints and explained to my father that my snake CANNOT live in this tank he agreed and told me to move it to the tub. And I'm sorry you feel mad that I can't go out and buy a UTH right now, but my family and I are going through some financial ISSUES right now and you really don't need to stress me out about this anymore than I am stressed out. And if your all wondering why the heck I would get a BP, its because I have a passion for reptiles, I absolutely LOVE them. And I'm sorry that I have to wait a while until I can get a UTH for my tub. Other than that my snake is perfectly FINE. He is now eating, he isn't trying to escape, he's friendly, temp is 92.4 and humidity is around 40,(which is why i NEED to move him to a tub) And for the people who are going to rant on and tell me how I'm a bad person, just honestly don't even talk to me because i really dont need to hear any more. But for the people who would like to tell me friendly advice, go right ahead. Have a good night.

Mitch

Let me first say that I hope you get everything ironed out for both you and the snakes sake. After reading GirDance's last post I have to ask. A UTH is pretty much the most essential thing a ball python needs. If you had already been here on this site prior to bringing your snake home why on gods earth would you not plan on getting a UTH? If you have a passion for reptiles as you say you do I would think that being 100% sure you had everything you needed before bringing the snake home would be top priority. Even more so seeing you already got advice here before buying the snake.

Regardless, I hope you get everything worked out ASAP. Don't forget that you are going to need a thermostat or a dimmer to safely use a UTH.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BostonMacK

Let me first say that I hope you get everything ironed out for both you and the snakes sake. After reading GirDance's last post I have to ask. A UTH is pretty much the most essential thing a ball python needs. If you had already been here on this site prior to bringing your snake home why on gods earth would you not plan on getting a UTH? If you have a passion for reptiles as you say I would think that being 100% sure you had everything you needed before bringing the snake home, even more so seeing you already got advice here before buying the snake.

Regardless, I hope you get everything worked out ASAP. Don't forget that you are going to need a thermostat or a dimmer to safely use a UTH.

---

Haha see the thing is, I have a UTH but its already attached to my tank...
So i gotta get another one!!! :eek:

I had a UTH right from the get go

Hi,


When you say it's stuck to the tank do you mean it was one of the ones you peel a film off or that it is simply taped to the outside or something?

It's probably a daft question but we don't have the peel and stick versions over here so I thought I'd check.:)


dr del

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,


When you say it's stuck to the tank do you mean it was one of the ones you peel a film off or that it is simply taped to the outside or something?

It's probably a daft question but we don't have the peel and stick versions over here so I thought I'd check.:)


dr del

---

Yeah unfortunately I had to, which really does suck, I think though as soon as I can I'm gonna order some flexwatt and a Herpstat

Hi,


Very good choices.

If your room temperatures are stable you could possibly use a dimmer on some flexwatt - but it would take a lot of fiddling and adjusting to get it correct at first and if room temperatures vary then obviously it would be less than ideal.

I mention it as it might be an economic option you could investigate sooner than the herpstat. Then when the herpstat arrives simply replace the dimmer with it and dial everything in. A quick note on that- when setting up an enclosure with an animal already in residence make sure you start slightly cool and work up to the temps rather than plug everything in full blast and think you'll catch it in time. Thats just my opinion but it reduces the risk of burning or cooking your pet.

Stick with it - I know how much it can cost to build a completely useless setup having done it myself in the past and how frustrating it is looking at it every day.:(


dr del

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,


Very good choices.

If your room temperatures are stable you could possibly use a dimmer on some flexwatt - but it would take a lot of fiddling and adjusting to get it correct at first and if room temperatures vary then obviously it would be less than ideal.

I mention it as it might be an economic option you could investigate sooner than the herpstat. Then when the herpstat arrives simply replace the dimmer with it and dial everything in. A quick note on that- when setting up an enclosure with an animal already in residence make sure you start slightly cool and work up to the temps rather than plug everything in full blast and think you'll catch it in time. Thats just my opinion but it reduces the risk of burning or cooking your pet.

Stick with it - I know how much it can cost to build a completely useless setup having done it myself in the past and how frustrating it is looking at it every day.:(

dr del

---

I hear ya brother i hate looking at my setup right now! I set up a humidifier outside f my tank for a while today, humidity went up to 47% Where can i find this dimmer?

Hi,

Now we're relying on my failing memory here but I think the most often recomended one was a lamp dimmer from somewhere called lowes. :)


dr del

You can get a good dimmer from Home Depot. Brand name is Lutron, model is Credenza. You just plug it in and that's it.

A thermostat would be a better option, and those can be found at ReptileBasics.com

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

Now we're relying on my failing memory here but I think the most often recomended one was a lamp dimmer from somewhere called lowes. :)


dr del

---

LOL home depot or Canadian tire might have some, so what does the UTH just plug into the dimmer?

Hi,


If you get the lamp dimmers Becky is talking about then yes I think they have sockets on them but theres a thread going on right now about using the "build your own" variety here if you can't find those.

And yes the thermostat is a much better control method but we're only discussing this as an emergency stopgap method for a limited timeframe.:)

I second reptilebasics though - and remember to ask his advice as well on your plans as that amount of hands on experience is invaluable.:)


dr del

Must have missed the fact you already had a UTH. Even though it's already stuck to the tank are you sure you can't remove it? Try using some alcohol and slowly peel it off. If you were able to get it off without damaging it you could just use some aluminum tape like that found in the HVAC isle at home depot to secure it to the bottom of your tub.

Like said above a dimmer would only work if your temps stayed pretty constant in your house. If they fluctuate you are going to have to adjust the UTH output constantly using a dimmer. Unless your in your house 24-7 that's not going to work.

Good luck

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GirDance

Relieves the stress for you??? And you "Hope that this isn't too harsh"???? I deleted my last post just because I figured other newer members who hadn't read the history of your posts didn't need to see it and get a bad perception of the forum in general, but you just don't listen to anyone.

You wouldn't need to be stressed out - and neither would your poor snake - if you'd bothered to listen to any of the multitude of us who told you *before* you got the snake to wait until you could ensure everything with your Dad was worked out before bringing it home. And given that same advice in countless posts on here, and yet you still decided act rashly and bring one home right away KNOWING that you couldn't offer the snake the proper care. I also recall a member telling you to go ahead and bring one home, then feed him and watch him refuse it, and then try again and watch him refuse it, then get your dad to try and watch the snake refuse again - and then pay the vet bill.... No yeah, this is harsh, but you were given all this information in advance and you still failed to listen to anyone. And now, you're asking for help again and saying that you feel so bad and are stressed out - yet you're still failing to actually take any of the advice until it's convenient for you to do so.

No, a light most likely won't do the trick for the warm side because they really need belly heat, the lamp will just end up heating up the entire tank, or making it too hot towards the top of the enclosure and not hot enough at the bottom, and risking burns if you're measuring the temp at ground level where he needs it, but then if he rubs against the top of the tub where it's definately hotter but not measured.

If you can't afford a 25$ (from petsmart, which is the pricyest place to get it) UTH for another 2 weeks, what are you going to do if you ever need to take him to the vet?

Print off some research and give it to your Father and get the snake properly taken care of now - not later when you risk it getting even skinnier and sick on top of that.

And I really do appologize to any other members. I try to offer the best help and advice I can to any member, and especially to new members and people who are actually putting the care of their pets above their own 'wants'... But after following the multitude of threads telling him *exactly* what would happen if he brought home the animal and put it in the type of home he was providing - his completely ignoring that and doing it anyway - and then asking for help when exactly what he was told would happen happened...

Well, I just don't have much tolerance for people who blatently disregard the needs of an animal - that's why we require rescue centers and shelters.

---

Not to start an argument, but I have to second this post. You have done the research necessary, just have not listed to it at all. As you may see from some member's signature, if you can afford to take care of an animal don't keep it. I understand your family's financial issues, and respect them... Most of us have been there. However, as someone has stated: What will you do if you need to take your snake to the vet? They cost money, and sometimes alot of it. I know, $560 for my dog the other day..

Good luck, and please follow the advice you so regularly ask for.

-Ben

Hmm, lighten up a little, guys. Financial problems are never planned and can hit very hard...usually at very bad times. I'm sure he would rush out and get the thermostat and a new UTH today if he could... Being one who lives on financial aid and loans, I can understand the whole suddenly not enough money thing.

As for re-using the UTH: don't use any liquid anywhere near it even if it's been unplugged for a long time. They aren't made to withstand it. It may be possible to get the old one off and still have it usable, but it's tricky. The whole thing is not to bend it a lot. I heard someone here suggest using a spatula to help pry it off straight, and I'll be trying that tonight to get a space for my tstat probe.
Anyway, try peeling it off VERY slowly and carefully and see what happens. Worst would be that you still have to go out and get a new one asap. Since it's summer, having the snake without the UTH for a little while, as long as the temps in that room hover around 80, shouldn't be that big a deal. Hope that helps.

Well I went out to a pet store today, A reptile pet store, the guy knows alot about ball pythons, I told him about what tank I have and he didn't agree, he showed me the perfect tank to use, hes making me a package for cheap after I told him my story. Anyways he asked how my little guy was, I told him that he is now eating, he stays in his hides,at night he likes to cruise around and the temperature is at about 85-90 and humidity is 43% which I know isn't good, anyways hopefully everything goes well, this new tank I'm getting has alot of floor space and he will live in it for the rest of his life, the top part is IMPOSSIBLE to get off from the inside seeing it has a lock and grooves that slide with the screen witch won't even budge. I'm getting a new UTH or flexwatt with hopefully a herpstat but if not I'll use a dimmer for the time being, only problem is my room is so humid so hopefully I can control that well. But I still want to go with the tub idea... I still don't know yet.. and please people don't make my life harder than it already is, I'm 16 and stressed like crazy so please back off let me do my thing, and give me some friendly advice, and for the people who have given me friendly advice I thank you.

Okay, so I don't have any suggestions really for you since alot of people have given you great suggestions that you seem to agree with and now you just want people to leave you alone to "do your thing". All I can say is poor snake. I hope that your new setup when you get it is going to be ideal for your snake since you didn"t describe it, but if it is going to "live in it for the rest of his life" then it is probably too big for him because, and correct me if I am wrong, it is a baby. What a baby needs and what a full grown BP needs are 2 different things. A baby can live in a 10 gal tank while a full grown adult can live in a 30 - 40 gal long tank. I wish you good luck and I can only hope that you do what is best for your snake. And it is my opinion that people here aren't trying to stress you out any more or make your life harder than it is but you are the one on here posting questions and people are telling you what has worked for those that are way more experienced and have been keeping BP's for many years, they are all thinking of your snake and what is best for it. So instead of taking the advice of people here you go to a petstore and ask them what they think, when everyone here knows that petstores are probably one of the worst places to ask advice. (Although I will say not all petstores, because I have a small family owned type petstore near me that specializes in birds and reptiles that has given excellent advice which checks out with what people on this site have suggested or info from the caresheets, although I am very sure that this particular petstore is a rarity!!!) Anyway, I just wanted to put my 2 cent in because it irks me when people spend the time giving great advice that is just basically thrown away at the expense of a living creature. Please do the best for your snake. I just don't see why spend the money on a new setup when you say that you are having financial difficulties and a tub would be the best and most cost effective way to properly house and care for your snake........... okay I am going to stop now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sunny1

Okay, so I don't have any suggestions really for you since alot of people have given you great suggestions that you seem to agree with and now you just want people to leave you alone to "do your thing". All I can say is poor snake. I hope that your new setup when you get it is going to be ideal for your snake since you didn"t describe it, but if it is going to "live in it for the rest of his life" then it is probably too big for him because, and correct me if I am wrong, it is a baby. What a baby needs and what a full grown BP needs are 2 different things. A baby can live in a 10 gal tank while a full grown adult can live in a 30 - 40 gal long tank. I wish you good luck and I can only hope that you do what is best for your snake. And it is my opinion that people here aren't trying to stress you out any more or make your life harder than it is but you are the one on here posting questions and people are telling you what has worked for those that are way more experienced and have been keeping BP's for many years, they are all thinking of your snake and what is best for it. So instead of taking the advice of people here you go to a petstore and ask them what they think, when everyone here knows that petstores are probably one of the worst places to ask advice. (Although I will say not all petstores, because I have a small family owned type petstore near me that specializes in birds and reptiles that has given excellent advice which checks out with what people on this site have suggested or info from the caresheets, although I am very sure that this particular petstore is a rarity!!!) Anyway, I just wanted to put my 2 cent in because it irks me when people spend the time giving great advice that is just basically thrown away at the expense of a living creature. Please do the best for your snake. I just don't see why spend the money on a new setup when you say that you are having financial difficulties and a tub would be the best and most cost effective way to properly house and care for your snake........... okay I am going to stop now.

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I do respect your opinion as with everyone else's. I really want what is best for my little guy, so you think the tub is a good idea then? i have a 30 qt tub ready to use.

New pics of Spartan

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/.../IMAGE_031.jpg

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/.../IMAGE_030.jpg


Looks happy to me..

Sorry for the bad quality.

OK Bright 202-

Look I'm not trying to be the bad guy here... But seriously.. You either need help from the members, of you dont. Don't say seriously I need help.. Then 2 minutes later say leave me alone to let me "do my own thing."

Just stop the rambling man... I understand you are 16, but that does not mean you are excused from reality. You have asked if a tub is a good idea about 10 times in your over 100 something posts already. Either switch to a tub, or don't but stop asking if it is a good idea.

As said in the previous post.. You either want the members help or not.. But stop asking the same question...

LEARN TO USE THE SEARCH FEATURE OF THIS FORUM PLEASE.

This is the end of my rant for now..... But I think many will agree with me that it is time for you to stop asking for advise, and then starting a new post with the same questions, and your obvious refusal to listen to the advice given.... You have only had the snake for a few weeks.. if that, and you are already claiming poverty.. Something tells me this did not come on quickly...

Read your own posts and responses.. They are redundant and conflicting to the advice given....

Again... No hard feelings... but it is time to re-evaluate..

-Ben

If you need to get a uth go to wal mart and get one of those heat pads for your back and a thermostat. They work great i use them for my snakes and they are alot cheaper than uth's at a pet store. They are right around 10 $

Hi,


The problem with human heating pads is they are not designed to run 24/7 and I'm always a little nervous using things so far outside their design parameters.:( Besides flexwatt is about the same price and is recomended by people who have used it for years too.:)

Bright202,

I would suggest reading the site to see peoples opinions/experiences on using large glass tanks with baby ball pythons. If the guy at the store thinks it will do for it's entire life he's either describing;

a) A tank that is waaay to big and will cause you all sorts of extra little problems besides the massive feeling of insecurity your lil guy will suffer (heating will be a pain for a start)... or..

b) He doesn't expect your snake to live long enough to grow.

Sorry to be blunt but his opinion is based on selling you things and ours isn't.

If you absolutely want to use a glass tank ( and it can be made to work just fine) then at least get a nice 10 gallon one and read the glass tank setup sticky again.

I still think your best bet at the moment is to order some flexwatt (or any other reptile heating pad) from reptilebasics and use the tub you already own.

If you do go with the shops advice check out all the suggestions on the site for trying to increase his sense of security and keep a very good eye on him for signs of stress.


dr del