New to the forums, and BPs, help please!

Hi there, everyone!

I've been lurking the forums the past few days to make sure everything is good and fine for my new baby BP, and I have the set-up of my tank seeming to be right-as-rain.... but Just in case, i wanted to present it all to you for review, JUST TO BE SURE :)

(BTW SORRY I CANT SHOW PICS OF HER, AND THE CAGE, I DONT HAVE A CAMERA OR ANYTHING)

Her tank is a 10-gal glass tank with a wire-mesh top. The wire mesh is covered over 3/4 of the top (For ventilation and the heat-lamp for basking) with 3 layers of aluminum foil-shiny side down, with duct-tape on the top of the lid, as well as used to secure the foil on it. No where is there tape available for her to get stuck to, so there wont be any scale damage.

She has a repti cage-carpet matting for the first layer on the bottom, as well as 2 layers of newspaper, and a final layer of paper towel to make sure she doesn't have mites or ticks. These layers also help to keep her from getting burned by the UTH under her main hidey-hole.

The basking lamp I provided is a 75-watt Infra-Red bulb, which is connected to, as well as the UTH, a thermostat, so I can control the temp of her environment more easily.

Also- The UTH and Lamp are on opposite sides of the tank.

She has her hidey hole over her UTH, her water dish in the middle for soaking and drinking, and her "basking tree" (its a little log-like thing that looks like one log over another, like a dead half-fallen tree) under the heat lamp side of the tank.

I have a thermometer probe that is on her tree to keep track of the heat there, and a thermometer-sticker thing so I can see how how it is overall in her tank (the sticker is on the opposite end of the tank so it's not getting light). I have a hygrometer nest to the sticker to keep track of the humidity, and whenever it dips below 40% I just spray a little water in with a spray bottle, and whenever it's above 60% I let it air out a little, till it dips back below.

the sticker is registering at 84, ambient temp, and the probe at 84 as well (I have the light turned off for now, because I wanted to see if she was avoiding the heat of the heating pad.).


Now, with all that said.....

She IS avoiding the heat source in the tank, usually at all times- right now I have the lamp off, and she's on the opposite side of the tank, where there isnt a UTH, and usually when I have the light on, she's on the opposite side of the tank where the heating pad is.








on a side-note:

I have to get a new bulb for my lamp because the 75 watt bulb I'm using is too powerful- on low it keeps the basking side at a crispy 97 degree, if not 99.

So I have to go back and get a 50 watt bulb.


Either way, she is very much so avoiding heat.



With that said- suggestions? Comments? criticisms? questions?

Please, gimme it all!

the stick on's suck....really bad.

You should definitely get an Acurite digital thermometer...bout 11 bucks at wal-mart :gj:

You don't need a heat lamp at all. It sounds like your temps are too high overall. Get rid of the lamp and hook the UTH up to the thermostat. Don't let the hot spot get over 95 degrees! She is avoiding the heat because she is cooking. Get an accurite and put it on the cool side with the probe above the UTH near her hide.

I would ditch the light altogether... sucks up moisture and is, apparently keeping things too hot.

How are you measuring humidity? They need a steady humidity level of about 60% or so... it's going to be hard keeping it up in a glass enclosure, but there are multiple ways of going about it---reflectix, putting the water bowl over the UTH---you can do a search on here for that. This is where Nate's suggestion of an Accurite comes in handy, too... measures temps and humidity.

Also, she needs another hide... you need one hide on the warm side and one on the cool side.

Check out the caresheets on here... it's good reading!!! :)

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Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

I would ditch the light altogether... sucks up moisture and is, apparently keeping things too hot.

How are you measuring humidity? They need a steady humidity level of about 60% or so... it's going to be hard keeping it up in a glass enclosure, but there are multiple ways of going about it---reflectix, putting the water bowl over the UTH---you can do a search on here for that. This is where Nate's suggestion of an Accurite comes in handy, too... measures temps and humidity.

Also, she needs another hide... you need one hide on the warm side and one on the cool side.

Check out the caresheets on here... it's good reading!!! :)

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There's a hygrometer stuck to the inside of the tank, reads at about 50% most of the time, if it gets below 40, I spray a mist of water in there, and if it get above 60% I let it air out a little.

I live in FL, so luckily , humidity doesnt seem to be much of a problem.

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Originally Posted by Thedotw

I live in FL, so luckily , humidity doesnt seem to be much of a problem.

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Where in FL? Yep...humidity typically isn't an issue...BUT...your stick ons ARE an issue, and they are not at all accurate!

The sticky one's don't work so well as the digital hygrometers... it may be reading at 40% and not be 40% (which is too low...they need a steady humidity level of around 60%).

A thermostat was recommended earlier---sorry, forgot about that!---and should be highly considered! If you hook your UTH up to a thermostat, you can keep the warm side at a steady temp. Even at that, though, in a glass cage, your heat is going to disperse too widely and your cool side will be too cool.

Maybe a lower wattage red or blue light they don't see that spectrum of color)?

I don't use tanks for this reason....... anyone chime in on the light thing?

I live in Fort Myers and humidity is always around 55-60% and during shed I bump it to 70-80%.

I live in Orlando, FL. Going to UCF. :P Humidity isnt the problem mostly. And I'll make sure to keep it above 60%. thanks for that as well.


Anyhow, I have a thermostat as well- both the light and UTH are plugged in it- not the light anymore though (thanks for that advice) I'll look into finding a digital thermometer/hygrometer as well, so I can get rid of those stick ons all together.

Don't buy one of the ZooMeds ones they sell at the pet store. www.reptilebasics.com has some nice Ranco's for around $75

Ranco's or Johnson's thermostat's rock!!! They work great!


Also, plugging two different types of heating device into the same thermostat will cause problems... the heating devices have to be of the same wattage for the thermostat to work effectively.

Work on getting those temperatures measured accurately (and at floor level) and tweak them until you get a warm side of about 92 degrees.

You don't really need a 'tree', but watch very closely that the basking temperatures don't burn your snake. (especially with that heat lamp)

I have a couple questions. How long have you had your snake (do you know how old too) and what type of 'hidey hole' do you have? You want small dark hides.

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

Work on getting those temperatures measured accurately (and at floor level) and tweak them until you get a warm side of about 92 degrees.

You don't really need a 'tree', but watch very closely that the basking temperatures don't burn your snake. (especially with that heat lamp)

I have a couple questions. How long have you had your snake (do you know how old too) and what type of 'hidey hole' do you have? You want small dark hides.

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I've had the snake now for 4 days, and she is 3 weeks old. I got her from a snake rescue center that bought them from a reptile show in the area. The women (who runs the snake rescue center) gave me a vet paper passing her with a clean bill of health, and she's had no problems with her.


She's very active- it's almost odd though, while everyone says not to handle new snakes very much, she seems 100% more active when handled, and seems to HATE her tank. She always sulks and wont move for hours on end in her tank.

I fed her yesterday and haven't disturbed her at all, and since feeding she's soaker herself once.




An update though: I took out the basking light, unplugged and everything and switched it back to a 50 watt bulb. I also returned the log-thing, and placed an identical hidey-hole as the other one. I also removed the stick on hygrometer, and thermometer, and replaced both of them with digital ones, so I have 2 digi. therms.- one for each side of the tank, and one hygrometer for it as well.

Her hidey-hole is provides a great shelter for her, it's made of resin and is insanely dark in there, and by how she acts to it- quite snug, too. Its just the right size for her, not too big, and like I said, very dark. It has two entrances for her, one smaller than the other, but bother pretty much on the same side.

It looks like a pile of rocks, but not exactly REAL rocks. She likes is very much though, so I'm happy for her for that.

Awesome! Got any pics???


In any case, snakes don't sulk. They don't have emotions that we as humans define them. BPs are not very active snakes... they spend 90% of their time curled up inside their hide, digesting food or sleeping, and they're perfectly happy with that.

When you get her out, she becomes active because she's trying to get away to a darker, tighter, safer spot. Natural instinct.


Any pics yet? :D LOL, we love pics around here dude!

EDIT: Just reread the post... please follow the no holding for a week rule, even if you've already broken it---start over. She will settle down faster, eat better, and be happier for it. It's hard, we know.... but worth all the perks in the end!!!

Alright, starting today, no handling. her tank is set, everything is perfect, so here we go.

Also- on the cooler side of her cage it reads 81 degrees right now. That's also the side with the ventilation. should I make the hole smaller, so it retains more heat over there, or is it fine as is?

The hot side is right now 93.5 degrees, and getting cooler, and the hygrometer reads 57%.


I think the cool side will heat up a little more as well as raise the hygrometer if it close the top up a little more.... any suggestions?

3 weeks old? :O WOW that is a baby! I'd definitely work on establishing a good feeding routine, and limit handling sessions. I agree with Lynn. The activity you're seeing is likely more due to stress and a flight mechansim. I'm not saying NO handling (after the initial settling in period), but definitely watch for stress in the form of extreme activity or a refusal to eat.

You can also use the heat lamps, if necessary by raising it's distance from the top of the tank with a clamp. (again IF necessary)

Good luck with your new baby. :gj:

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Originally Posted by Thedotw

I've had the snake now for 4 days, and she is 3 weeks old. I got her from a snake rescue center that bought them from a reptile show in the area.

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She was "rescuing" them from a reptile show?

I am new to the forums too. I have set my tank up in the same way you have. I hav the tin-foil on the top and have on one end a 75 watt light bulb and a big watering bowl and a hide, on the other end she also has a hide and a climbing limb. I went and bought a Mozilla digital thermometer and hydge. Her temp's range at 84 when the light is on and 70 when the light is off at night. Her humidity runs at 51 to 55% when light is on and shoots up to around 67-75% at night when the light is off. I have had absolutely no problems with her. She has shed one time since I have had her and it was in 1 piece. I live near a dam, and went and got 2 small rocks for her to help during shedding.

:taz:

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Originally Posted by brelea79

I am new to the forums too. I have set my tank up in the same way you have. I hav the tin-foil on the top and have on one end a 75 watt light bulb and a big watering bowl and a hide, on the other end she also has a hide and a climbing limb. I went and bought a Mozilla digital thermometer and hydge. Her temp's range at 84 when the light is on and 70 when the light is off at night. Her humidity runs at 51 to 55% when light is on and shoots up to around 67-75% at night when the light is off. I have had absolutely no problems with her. She has shed one time since I have had her and it was in 1 piece. I live near a dam, and went and got 2 small rocks for her to help during shedding.

:taz:

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You might want to consider a red 'reptile' bulb that you can leave on 24/7. 70 is a bit too cold. I do keep the majority of my collection at the 92 warm side and 82 cool side, I do have one that I am using VPI's technique of a constant ambient temp of 80 degrees. (she was being a pain in my butt not eating, but after 2 days she ate like no one's business)

Congrats on the first shed.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

She was "rescuing" them from a reptile show?

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I dont question her. :P


She said she bought them for like 3 bucks each (Her and a brother who was gone before I got there) from a guy who was breeding snakes. There were a bit too many for him to take care of so he set up shop and was selling a few at the show.

Other than what she said, I have no idea of the particulars.




BUT ALSO:

She's definitly far from not eating. when I fed her (yesterday) she didnt just lunge at the pinky, but she ripped it from the tongs I was feeding her with. She devoured it in like 10 seconds flat.


that brings me onto a question though- how do I know to up her much she eats, and when to switch to fuzzies?

I have a new problem now- The cooler side of the tank is at 78 degrees, and the most I can get it to go up to is 80, while the warmer side is at 92 degrees.

I'm only using the UTH right now- but once again, there's technically 5 layers for her to be on- the 2 layers of paper towel, 2 layers of newspaper, and 1 layer of repticarpet.

Should I take the carpet away, or one of the other layers or what?

My main concern is her getting burnt if I take too many layers away, or if I take the carpet away that she might find a way under the papers and burn.


Also- in my attempt to get the cooler side hotter- (It dipped down to 72 degrees, which I dont get how, considering we have our AC set at 78) I covered up the top a little more with foil and duct tape, so now its, in terms of dividing the the tank in to 6 parts (two left, two middle, two right), 5/6s covered with insulation, and 1/6 open to let the necessary air circulation through.

Hi,

Is the UTH connected to your thermostat? Also whan you talk of the tank being insulated do you mean the back,bottom and sides as well or only the top?


dr del

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

Is the UTH connected to your thermostat? Also whan you talk of the tank being insulated do you mean the back,bottom and sides as well or only the top?


dr del

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Yes, the UTH is currently the only thing connected to the Thermostat.

And by insulation, I mean the top has 3 layers of tin-foil under the mesh, and 1 layer of Duct-tape above it, covering 5/6 of the top and 1/6 for the light every now and again, just to warm it up a little more in case it's still not warm enough, but mostly for ventilation.



It's all right now at 82.8 percent in the cool hidey hole, 91.2 percent in the warm hidey hole, and 58% humidity ambient.

She's in her cool hidey hole right now.

Thedotw, I dunno if this will help you or not, but my screen is set up the same way as yours (foil/duct tape), and I had a similar problem. What I do is cover the opening up with a thick washcloth (dry of course), like martha stewart quality. This helps insulate it a bit without blocking air flow. At night, I use a regular fluorescent light bulb and set it directly on top of the wash cloth, which helps keep heat in the cage without sacrificing humidity. Like I said though, you have to make sure its a heavy duty washcloth so no light gets through. I use a thick dark blue one, and it keeps it warm and dark at night. The heat signature is similar to that of a UTH, except its on the top of your tank :)

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Originally Posted by chz

Thedotw, I dunno if this will help you or not, but my screen is set up the same way as yours (foil/duct tape), and I had a similar problem. What I do is cover the opening up with a thick washcloth (dry of course), like martha stewart quality. This helps insulate it a bit without blocking air flow. At night, I use a regular fluorescent light bulb and set it directly on top of the wash cloth, which helps keep heat in the cage without sacrificing humidity. Like I said though, you have to make sure its a heavy duty washcloth so no light gets through. I use a thick dark blue one, and it keeps it warm and dark at night. The heat signature is similar to that of a UTH, except its on the top of your tank :)

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thanks CHZ, I'll definitly try that!

I'd becareful with that. It sounds like a bit of a fire hazard to me, if I'm understanding right.

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

I'd becareful with that. It sounds like a bit of a fire hazard to me, if I'm understanding right.

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I was thinking the same thing...

;)

right now, I have the 50 watt heat lamp on, as well as the UTH on opposite sides, both on low.

the UTH is the hot hidey side, and it's at a warm 93 degrees, and the heatlamp is on the cool hidey side, keeping it at just above 80 degrees. and Humidity has been at 59% for a while now, so I think I got it all under control finally :)

Thanks for all your help guys, I truly appreciate it, and I guess I'll just post in here if something develops.

Thanks again!

We're all about keepin' the kids healthy and happy! And big kudos to you... for your willingness to learn, your willingness to change things up to make sure your girl gets that!!!:rockon:


Welcome to the forums... pull up a comfy seat and stay awhile.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thedotw

I have a new problem now- The cooler side of the tank is at 78 degrees, and the most I can get it to go up to is 80, while the warmer side is at 92 degrees.

I'm only using the UTH right now-

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I was having a similar problem in my tank. 20L tank with a UTH that ended up being plenty powerful enough to get the warm side way too hot, but none of the heat was transfering over to the cool side, or at least not enough heat. I already had insulated 3 sides and most of the top of the tank, and the UTH on a rheostat so it is never on full strength.

I put down 2 layers of heavy duty aluminum foil in the tank right on the glass on the bottom. This helps keep the warm side from getting too hot, and transfers some of the heat to the cool side. I'm sure part of what is happening is I'm bouncing heat back out of the cage and it is costing me a little extra electricity, but it got me a step closer to perfect steady temps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

Also, plugging two different types of heating device into the same thermostat will cause problems... the heating devices have to be of the same wattage for the thermostat to work effectively.

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I didn't know this was a problem?

I'll try to find the source I read that from and get back with it...

Hi again, I have a repeat question this time, and I just didnt want to start a new thread for this- especially since I already asked it here, just no one saw it...


I have only fed her once so far, and it was a single pinky. I would like to know if one pinky is enough, and if not, how many for a 3 week-1 mo. old BP?

OR if multiple pinkys are not enough, should I give her fuzzies or something else, and how many of them, as well as when I SHOULD start feeding her a bigger meal, if not immediately.

A pinky is not a big enough meal for a baby BP. Typically, you want to feed them a mouse or rat that's about as big around as they are at their widest point.


I would imagine she could be taking fuzzy mice---if not larger---or nice fat rat pinks.

If you bought a lot of pinks and want to get rid of them, you can feed her multiple items... I'm thinking three might be good for a girl your size... but it depends on how big the pinks are.

Hope this helps.

Pinky rat is fine , pinky mouse is way too small

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Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle

Pinky rat is fine , pinky mouse is way too small

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Nice catch... ^ yeah, what he said :D

I have a brand new question, and I feel SOOOOOOOOO BAD that I keep bothering you all about this, so thank you very much again for all your help!

Here's the question-

My BP has been stacking herself up against the glass of her tank near the vent- at first it wasnt just near the vent in the top (its actually mesh with aluminum foil covering it etc etc), but actually everywhere, and it seems like she was testing the edges for a way to get out, but most frequently the vent area, and actually tried to get in between the mesh and aluminum. I fastened the aluminum to the mesh with duct tape, so I was worried that she'd get tape on her, but I've since sewed it shut to keep her out, and she cant get in at all there. NOW THOUGH, she still stays near the vent area, and while I thought it was because she was still testing it to get out, it just dawned on me that she might not be getting enough air circulation, and might be seeking out the most oxygen saturated, or most crisp air in the tank, which would be right at the vent in the top of the tank.

I had also thought that maybe she might be going there to bask to get SOME heat, but not a lot (for a while I used my heatlamp to keep that side just above 80 degrees (usually around 82), because the UTH wasnt getting it's heat all the way to there, just heating up the other side of the tank), but today I havent had my light on there at all, and she's still doing it.


A THIRD THOUGHT, could this be the "stargazing" that I've been hearing about? she has done it randomly it would seem for the past few days, but only when she isnt being disturbed, so when she's the least stressed it would seem. I thought this might be the stargazing, but then again.... I dont really know what stargazing looks like in a snake.......


So there's my predicament, I feel like I'm being an over-protective parent, and a worry-wart, and a nuisence to you all, but I'd really really really appreciate any help at all, so I know if I need to change something at once.

This is my first baby, and I dont want her to go because I'm a bad parent to her. D: please help!

I think she is just testing the enclosure. I wouldn't worry as long as your temps and humidity are fine. They can be escape artists so make sure it's secure.

also, the cool side keeps dipping below 80 no matter how hard I try to keep it up. the warm side just isnt spreading out. it stays hot on the warm side if I turn up the temp, and cold on the cool side.


It was 76 degrees when i came back from classes today, and it was 91 on the other side, I didnt want to turn up the thermostat because I knew it would just bring the 91 up more, but the 76 would more or less stay the same. I think I shoudl just unplug my heatlamp from the thermostat and just keep it on an off/on bases to keep it above 80, but below 85.


Any ideas?

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Originally Posted by Thedotw

also, the cool side keeps dipping below 80 no matter how hard I try to keep it up. the warm side just isnt spreading out. it stays hot on the warm side if I turn up the temp, and cold on the cool side.


It was 76 degrees when i came back from classes today, and it was 91 on the other side, I didnt want to turn up the thermostat because I knew it would just bring the 91 up more, but the 76 would more or less stay the same. I think I shoudl just unplug my heatlamp from the thermostat and just keep it on an off/on bases to keep it above 80, but below 85.


Any ideas?

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I want to correct myself quick- it was 76 degrees in the cool side HIDE. so in no light, it was 76 degrees, right now its 80.1 degrees in the cool side HIDE, with the heat lamp on, but no light touching the probe.

on the warm side its 91.6 degrees without anything touching the probe (2 layers of newspaper, paper towel, and repticarpet between the probe and the UTH) and no light hitting it.

I would guess that the ambient air temp is between that, because I dont actually have a 3rd thermometer yet, but I'll be getting one soon, but I think it's between that given the UTH and heat lamp... though I'm not sure exactly where between that it is.

Humidity is at 61% right now and has been the entire day.

Don't feel bad about asking questions. The people on this site are really wonderfully supportive and helpful people. They'd much rather answer lots of questions (including the same ones over and over) and help everyone become better snake keepers than have an important question go unasked.

I asked about stargazing when I first got my BP too. The concensus was that it was just normal BP behavior checking our her new home. Here is the thread if you want to read it:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=53361

I would be really careful about tape inside the enclosure though. Can you take it off and put it back on the outside of the lid?

Also I just skimmed your whole thread real quick, and I don't see if you have mentioned putting any insulation on 3 sides of your tank. That will help stabilize the temps inside a lot. See if that helps get your temps a little closer to ideal.

How would I do that? Putting up a background picture wouldnt help I dont think, so would I just do it by putting up like 3 layers of foil on the outside glass?

Foil would be a start. I've seen people recommend lots of things. "Reflectix" is a brand name that gets mentioned a lot. I haven't seen it in person but I did a search for it online and it appears to be something along the lines of bubblewrap made out of aluminum foil. Other people use foam board or cork board. I used regular cardboard, which worked ok at first but I think I will need something better now that the weather is starting to get colder.

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Originally Posted by kc261

Foil would be a start. I've seen people recommend lots of things. "Reflectix" is a brand name that gets mentioned a lot. I haven't seen it in person but I did a search for it online and it appears to be something along the lines of bubblewrap made out of aluminum foil. Other people use foam board or cork board. I used regular cardboard, which worked ok at first but I think I will need something better now that the weather is starting to get colder.

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You can get reflectix at any ace harder for less than a dollar per ft. Reflectix is awesome. I have some on hand 24-7, not only for my snakes but in general.

BTW, if you don't like the look of whatever insulation you decide to use, you can put up a background picture right on the glass, and the insulation around the whole thing.

Insulation is key to keeping a glass tank warm in colder weather. I have a nice background pic on the back and black pained cork board on the sides, then outside that is 3/4" foam insulation board (quite cheap from Lowes, one piece cut down into enough for both my 20L and 10 with pieces left over).
So far, those temps in both tanks are spot on and haven't shifted (except when I clean) and the temps here in CO are really starting to drop down.

I'm definitely new at all of this too, but I use a blanket - cotton, quilted on my cool side if it's too cool. It seems to hold the heat down and it can be wrapped around the tank if it's very cool. Also I use lighting and have various wattages on hand to switch off depending on weather and my house temps. It seems to work well for me.

Just be careful with the blanket, as it is flammable and a potential fire hazard.