Im newb with BP's

Ive had many other snakes, 3 corn snakes, rosy boa- 15 years!, Gardener, and now a baby BP!

I named it Kaa, from jungle book.
Its about a foot and a half long.

Here is what ive got settup.

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/9295/1002572uk5.jpg
20 Gallon tank.
A house hold heating pad with like 7 temps low-1-2-3-4-5-High. (its at 3 for now.)
I put the cage by the heater because i might as well kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

I also have a lamp light that is uv.
Also i have newspaper for bedding.
2 Black chinese takeout boxes.
1 for water bowl, i put luke worm water in to start.
and another for a hiding place, idk if i should use it or the bark dome thing.
I have a SAT book that my bro never touched on the top to hold the top on.

I just got him dec 2nd. The guy at petsmart said that he fed them every week and they eat good.

What do you suggest i do to get him to eat. its time for him to eat. and i dont wanna have to worry about him starving himself.

I have held him everyday for about 30 mins a day scince i got him.


Sorry if pics are too big.


I can seem to get it to eat tho (frozen)
Ive tried leaving the mouse in the cage for about 15 mins.
Ive also tried Putting it in a cardboard box with it. Totally dark.

Since most of the information given out at pet stores is inaccurate I suggest you start off by browsing through this caresheet for a reliable list of requirements.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

As for your difficulties feeding...

This is probably a result of the constant handling since being brought home. BPs require a one week period of no handling or disturbances to acclimate to their new homes.

If they aren't given this time to adjust you could run into problems trying to get him to feed. I would give him another week of no handling and attempt to feed again.

The human heat pad is not the best way to heat the tank but I will let you read the caresheet for yourself.

Welcome to the forum

Welp lemmie give you some advice before some others tear you apart for your set up... You need better hides... those chinese things arnt gonna cut it... i guess you could use em for water bowls but not for hides... How are you measuring humidity and temps? I dont see anything in your tank to measure these... do you have a heat pad??

Spaniard said it all.:gj:

I'd say the first you need is a proper hide. Ball Pythons won't eat if they are stressed out, and by the looks of it your not giving him a proper place to feel safe. I suggest you either buy a rock cave $5 for him or turn that plastic container over and cut a hole in the side for him. They are mainly nocturnal so having that container with a clear lid is not a sufficient hiding place.
Once he/she gets comfortable with their new environment they should eat just fine.
Also since its new and unfamiliar with you or their new home I suggest not handling he/she as much. Over handling causes stress. That plus a new home, plus an improper hide can all cause your bp not to eat.
There are tons of forums on this site about setting up a terrarium for a ball python. Do some research.

Tank Set-Up:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55849

Ball Python Care Sheet:
http://ball-pythons.net/modules.php?...warticle&id=59

OK, Here is my two cents, you can use the info or you can throw it right back...

Where do I start....

1st - your snake needs two hides. (one on the hot sdie and one on the cool side)
2nd- please buy a real UTH (Under Tank Heater) at the Pet Store
3rd- PLEASE buy a lid that can be secured to the tank properly!
4th- You need a digital thermometer that measures heat and humidity. You can get them at Walmart or a paet store. Digital are the best and don't make so many mistakes like analog.
5- I'd put a rock inside for the snake, because when he sheds he might need something to help him get the skin off... not a sharp rock but a nice dull rock will do.
6- Let him settle in, you dont need to hold him once a day right now. And that is probably why he isn't eating right now either! Give him a week or two and try to feed him again later!
7-Warm or cold water... it doesn't really matter in my own opinion. It will warm up by itself eventually!

Temps should be -

Hot Side - 87F-93F and Cool Side - 75F-80F
Humidity should be - 30% when not in shed and 60% during shed.
You dont want it too wet inside or he will get scale rot and too dry and you will have a horrible shed.
Always double check the shed for his eye caps ( I Do) just to make sure they came off ok.

READ READ READ! Read all you can about Ball Pythons. Hang around here a lot and you will learn tons.
If you ever have any questions don't be shy or afraid to ask. No question is a stupid question...
You might also think some people might answer your questions in a mean manner but dont take it to heart. They are just mean but they really care about snakes and all animals and really in the end only want to help! (I hope)


This is what my tank shorta looks like

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...snakesetup.bmp

anyway that is just the basics, and it's just my two cents. I probably have tons of spelling errors but I;m at work and came across your post and wanted to help!
Have a good one! and good luck to you and your new friend, and remember! READ ALL YOU CAN ABOUT BALL PYTHONS!

Oh and more pictures are cool too... we like snake pictures here!

ROCK ON BROTHA!

Thnks i re arranged the hid and flipped it over.
How about this so far.

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/2729/1002581og4.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by k1ingdomKaa

Thnks i re arranged the hid and flipped it over.
How about this so far.

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/2729/1002581og4.jpg

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Your getting better! Being picky - Both hides should be the same thing. I use kitty litter boxes. But I have a big boy. You don't want to give him the option of different hides because he might like one more then the other because it is more confined and he might feel more comfortable in one rather then the other. But he might be cold and want to move to the other side but he wont because... he likes the hide on that side better then the other!

Keep it up!

Get him some fake leaves or crunched up paper to hide underneath. I use newspaper too. It works great!

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...Picture019.jpg

PS - I took out one of my rocks because it was two crowded with two!

Keep in mind that bp's love warm dark tight hides, the less open space the more comfy they feel...:gj:

Im going to the pet storem, i need a check list on what to get. i have a 20 gallon, im not gonna be able to get anything bigger for the time being but if i need a heat pad, i can get a bigger one than needed tank size wise.

there is one heat pad made by zoo med that is for a 10 to 20 gal.

I got a mr kritter suanna zone heat mat. 2 of em, should I have gotten the pad?
and I got a basking spot lamp 75 watts, is that enough?
also some clamps for the tank.

Hi,

:welcome: to the forums,

Just a quick question - how are you regulating those heatmats?

Some kinds can get waay to hot for your snake without being controlled by either a thermostat (the best method as it constantly adjusts itself) or a rheostat ( works ok in a stable temp room but needs checked manually).

And to make sure all these are working ok you need a good digital thermometer with a probe if possible - the acu-rite weather station thingy's from wallmart for about $12 are the ones most often recomended.

The probe makes it easy to check the temperatures inside his hides where he will spend most of his time eventually and the base unit also measures the humidity which will make sure he has no problems shedding.:gj:

If you need to use the baskig lamp it will be a good idea to get a red or moonlight bulb ( or even a ceramic heater) for it so it can be left on 24/7 to keep the temps stable.

Also insulating the back,bottom and sides of your tank with either polystyrene or cork sheeting will make it a lot easier to keep everything at the right conditions and you can get picture backgrounds to put on first to make it look better.


Hope this made sense.:)


dr del

well I have never heard of those but you should only need one, depending on how big the mat is and what size tank its for. Im surprised you don't know a lot of this stuff seeing how you had a boa and a few corn snakes ( all of which require proper environments) no offense. Anyway, ball pythons dont require any specific lighting because they are nocturnal so basically all you need is something that produces heat but wont interfere with their day/night cycle. I would suggest a Heat Glo Red light bulb. probably 50 watt... also your gonna need something to monitor temps with and something to make sure it doesn't get too hot i.e a digital thermometer with probes, and either a thermostat or rheostat.
good luck!

okay i exchanged it for a zoomed one. UTH
I have newspaper. how am i not gonna burn his belli.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by k1ingdomKaa

okay i exchanged it for a zoomed one. UTH
I have newspaper. how am i not gonna burn his belli.

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By putting that UTH on a thermostat - it MUST be on a thermostat, or it WILL burn him!

not to step on anyones toes here, but i use a uth and it gets the perfect 91-92.4 degrees. if you put the probe right on the glass it gets to like 103 but with the repti bark layer (even with just one small layer) it rarely climbs above 93. but i dont want to give you guys the thought that you can get away with it. i would say just check it.

Hi,

I Don't know what temperatures the one you have can reach - it really is a case of plugging them in and testing (nowhere near the animals tank for choice).

Well to make sure its ok you need to use either a thermostat or a rheostat.

Good recomended thermostats are;

On/off type (slightly cheaper slightly less stable but still good)

Ranco or johnson controls

Proportional type ( a little more expensive but a little better at holding temps and can control lamps too)

Helix or herpstat

You will probably be better off buying them online rahter than trying to find a local store that carries them unless you are quite lucky.

Have a searh on the forums for places people have bought them as I can only remember reptile basics just now and I know therte are alternatives as well.

It's personal choice but I owuld avoid buying the zoomed 500 thermostat (which it sounds as though your local shop might carry) as there have been reports of them being less stable with a temperature swing or up to 9 degrees and occasionally failing all together - its probably worth the extra money to get a better quality thyermostat as it is one of the most important pieces of equipment needed.

In the short term the lamp diummer from lowes has been used by some people with stable room temps just to make sure the mat doesn't get too hot as well and ( I think ) was only around $12 as well.

Bear in mind if you use a mat each side and a lamp then you will need some way to regulate each one but that a nice proportional might be able to do all of them if you connected dimmer switches inline between it and the lamp and cool end heat mat .

Have a look around for other peoples setups to give you an idea of different ways of doing it.

You might also want to consider a tub if you find getting the humidity and heat right in your tank too time consuming and tricky.

**edit**

Doh!! I'm typing waaay to slow this evening.

Pat it depends on the brand and model - I have some over here that are only capable of boosting temps by ten degrees but when I bought flexwatt I was stunned but how much it can pump out.

**end edit**

dr del

Okay, i updated the tank. due to low funds, Its my christmass present and my mom said that shes not giving me anymore.
Shes already mad i asked for the other stuff.

So i cant get a thermostat. Any other route?
I have a 100w basking light on him.
And the heat pad under.
Newspaper for substrate.
Could i just use thick news paper?

Were should i put the thermometer, and humidity reader?
There the stick on kind.
and were should the basking light go?

Hi,

Maybe you could try returning some of the stuff they sold you that perhaps isn't the best?

Those stick on thermometers are they the round ones? The problem if they are is they have been shown to be very inaccurate which makes it harder to know if your getting things set up right or not.:(

What are your room temperatures and maybe we can find some alternative things you can do as a stopgap measure.

Firt thing that springs to mind are the dimmer switches - at $11 they shouldn't break the bank and are definately better than nothing.

Raising the tank up off the heat mats is another thing to try.

But without the accurate thermometer your really going to struggle to know when it's right.

I would try the heat lamp in the middle (try different wattage bulbs if you have them and don't have a dimmer - but its blind luck if one of them is right) and one heat pad at the warm end and see what the temperatures are in the 2 hides.

A lot of the stuff you could use comes from unexpected places like hides made from plastic plant trays etc from the dollar store.



dr del

okay i have a digital thermometer for temp. its a computer temp monitor.

Hi,

OK, I'm afraid I have no idea what that is, but as long as it is relatively accurate it should give us somewhere to start.



You need to get some way of controlling the heaters so that you can adjust it in responce to the results though. The main thing to remember is to start cooler rather than too hot.

Fist thing to check is the temperatures in the warm end of your tank to make sure they are not dangerously high so try it firstly in the warm end hide then under the newspaper on the hot side (snakes will go under it and theres no safe way you can stop him at the moment - tape in a snakes tank is a really really bad thing).

let the thermometer sit there for about 10 minutes then tell us what it reads.


dr del

The temp on the glass is 124. WAY TOO HOT!-heat pad.
The temp in the basking is 86 or so.
The temp on colder side is like low 80's

Hi,

Your right that is dangerously hot.

First thing I would do is raise the tank off the heatmats - even if its a slim book or something under each end.


Your going to have to get something to control those I'm afraid.:(

Minimum spend I can think of offhand is 2 of those rheostat dimmers from lowes. I would put one on the lamp in the middle of the tank (above the lid obviously) and one on a heat pad under the warm end. Once the tank is insulated its easier and thankfuly poly sheets or reflectix are really cheap and do a great job.

Use the lamp (if you need it) to get the general tank temp up to 80-83 at the cool end then use the heatpad to boost the warm end to 92-94 on the glass of the warm end then adjust the substrate depth to get the surface inside the hide to 90-93.

It might be time to let your mom read the caresheets and things on the site and have a serious discussion about what you can do.

It's sadly quite common for the petshops to sell things that are expensive and not really all that usefull but the poor lil thing needs to be kept safe at the end of the day.


dr del

Im gonna try to feed him tonight in a dark warm spot. not his tank.
Whats this rheostat? i can pick up one of those maybe.

Hi,

I would hang on on the feeding for a day or two untill you get his tank closer to the ideal as you don't want to be disturbing them or anything for a couple of days after they have eaten and at the moment I really wouldn't trust that tank for 2 days.

Rheostats and like dimmers for lamps - they can turn down the brightness of a lightbulb is the way to ask in store I think.

If you do a search on "rheostat" on the site it might give you a better idea of what your looking for.


dr del

Hi,

Here's a post that talks about them and where sells them - ignore the advice on the zoomed thermostat though its not the best (he says delicately).

Click here.


dr del

I pulled the pad away from the glass and its alot cooler, about 90!
and i have to use the non electric stats my mom said...

Hi,

Do you mean the dimmers?

Just remember if your room temp changes you have to keep adjusting those so you can't forget to check the temps on a very regular basis.

Hope everything works out ok.



dr del

Can snakes yawn? my snake just like opened his mouth and shut it. as if he were yawning...
also i think hes hungry, his belly is rly smushy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by k1ingdomKaa

Can snakes yawn? my snake just like opened his mouth and shut it. as if he were yawning...
also i think hes hungry, his belly is rly smushy.

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Hi new guy, stand by one while I rant for a quick second here:mad::

I know it's the point of this forum to help educate people, and most come here after they get their snake looking for advise. BUT WHY DOESN'T ANYONE RESEARCH FIRST?

ALL HAIL THE STICKY'S AND THE SEARCH FUNCTION!:salute:

Here is a typical example of someone who wants a pet (in this case a snake) and does not have the cash to provide what the snake needs. I don't know about you, but there are some excellent sticky's in this forum that can get you set up with housing, heating, and so on for under $100 bucks, maybe even around $50 if you try hard.

In reference to your zoo med UTH and so on. I've tested about 10 of them, and they can cook up to 120F if you let them. Thermostat/Rheostat is a def must.

It is also apparent to me that you are not following the advise given to you, even outside of the items you were told to purchase. SUCH AS HANDLING. Just leave him alone and let him settle in. The "squishy" belly you are feeling should not be a concern if you are not handling him, but you obviously are.

Please please please either follow the directions, or stop asking contradictory questions which clearly indicates your contempt for the great people trying to help you.:colbert:

END RANT

But seriously though: Good luck with your snake, and trust the experts on this site. You can see from a simple thread like the one you started, everyone says the exact same answers to the basic setup questions. They do that, because they are right. Follow the caresheets, get the husbandry right, LEAVE THE SNAKE ALONE FOR A WEEK OR TWO, and you'll have a happy, healthy, hungry snake.

-Good Luck,
-Ben

thnks ill leave him alone for a week or two. then ill start to feed him.
Should i turn the lights on in the am and off in the pm?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcampos

Hi new guy, stand by one while I rant for a quick second here:mad::

I know it's the point of this forum to help educate people, and most come here after they get their snake looking for advise. BUT WHY DOESN'T ANYONE RESEARCH FIRST?

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I actually researched it for a few months, but am completely lost as far as the attitude, and what to do in specific situations... and seriously... do they yawn?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dosexxiskoseki

I actually researched it for a few months, but am completely lost as far as the attitude, and what to do in specific situations... and seriously... do they yawn?

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The yawn is another way the snake tastes the air so to speak. Just another way to survey the surroundings. Excessive yawing can also be a sign of a RI, but an occasional yawn is a normal thing to see.

Im just going to get a dimmer, and on the dimmer ill write the different heats.and ill move it away from the wall because the walls temps can varry.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by k1ingdomKaa

Ive had many other snakes, 3 corn snakes, rosy boa- 15 years!, Gardener, and now a baby BP!

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Not to be a butt head but this statement makes me wonder??? :confused::confuzd:

They are different species but I can't see the difference being that huge?!?!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jonny2184

Not to be a butt head but this statement makes me wonder??? :confused::confuzd:

They are different species but I can't see the difference being that huge?!?!

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Thats what I was sayin earlier. All of these snakes need specfic heat and living conditions. How can you take care of a boa ( one that takes MORE care) and not a ball python...?!

I wasnt such a good pet keeper, I told you my mom only gives me so much.
Anyways Im going to get a home thermostat and hook it up to a wooden stand that I make, Then im going to put it in series with the cage lights and heat pad.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by k1ingdomKaa

I wasnt such a good pet keeper, I told you my mom only gives me so much.
Anyways Im going to get a home thermostat and hook it up to a wooden stand that I make, Then im going to put it in series with the cage lights and heat pad.

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I'm no bleading heart tree hugger or anything... But damn... I feel bad for this snake.

I wasn't such a good pet keeper? My mom only gives me so much?

Holy cow, why don't you cut back to one snake that you can actually take care of instead of terrorizing 5 different ones with bad care?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by k1ingdomKaa

Im just going to get a dimmer, and on the dimmer ill write the different heats.and ill move it away from the wall because the walls temps can varry.

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That only works if the temperature in the room stays exactly the same, all the time. Otherwise you will "set it at 90F" when the room temp is 65F, and when the room temp rises or falls, the snake temp will vary (sometimes greatly).

-Ben

this kid is gettin' ripped to shreds on this forum... I guess thats what happens when your 15, have no clue what you doing, and rely on your parents' cash for your pet...

I dont have 5 right now. i have 1!!!!! and his tank is 83 degrees air.
92 in the hot spot. and only 24% humidity tho. the cold spot is around 73

Quote:

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Originally Posted by giaach

this kid is gettin' ripped to shreds on this forum... I guess thats what happens when your 15, have no clue what you doing, and rely on your parents' cash for your pet...

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I was 14 when I got my first snake-BP- and I still proporly cared for her. I did do ALOT of reseach first though, and my mom helped me out- she didnt want it to get sick or hurt or anything, then I got a job-seriously almost EVERY check I got went to spoiling my snake and other pets!!.. I guess not much has changed, lol.
But Im just differnt, so dont mind me :P But you do have to realize, rather its a snake, gecko, dog, horse, baby, etc. it is still a living thing that deserves to be properly cared for. Just think of it like your the snake, and you have no control over your life; its all up to the "big warm thing" to feed you and keep you healthy.
I know your young and it's hard, but your moms going to have to help you out, and/or your going to have to earn some money for yourself. Even if she got the snake for you, it is still her responsiblity too, if not more.
As for people bashing you, it may seem harsh, but their just trying to educate you- and help out the snake before anything bad happens.
Good luck with everything!

I know im gonna talk to her. hey will this be okay for a thermostat?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ZOO-MED-REPTITEM...QQcmdZViewItem

Quote:

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Originally Posted by k1ingdomKaa

I know im gonna talk to her. hey will this be okay for a thermostat?

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lol, missing the point

Quote:

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Originally Posted by k1ingdomKaa

I know im gonna talk to her. hey will this be okay for a thermostat?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ZOO-MED-REPTITEM...QQcmdZViewItem

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Yeah that thermostat will work but dont buy it from ebay 24$ is way too much for that model. I found one at Petco for only 17$ same model and everything.

Dont be discourage by everything people are saying to you on this forum. Most of these people have had lots of years of experience with snakes specifically ball pythons. Everyone has an opinion about proper health care for your pet, and while it may seem harsh right now, it will pay off in the long run when A) your pet stays alive and eats properly. B) your hobby becomes a lot of fun and C) your pet doesn't die, leaving you with a crap load of expensive reptile equipment you can no longer use unless you buy a new snake.

Just explain to your mom that once you have ALL the necessities then its all down hill. Besides having to clean the cage and get new light bulbs every year, the only thing you gotta continue to pay for is mice/rats haha....

GOOD LUCK and Happy Holidays!

I am going to make money selling logoes and signatures online.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by giaach

this kid is gettin' ripped to shreds on this forum... I guess thats what happens when your 15, have no clue what you doing, and rely on your parents' cash for your pet...

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Actually other than a couple of posts this thread, from what I can see, has been very calm and full of very good, common sense husbandry advise. Not much "ripped to shreds" to see here folks in my opinion.

Having said that, I'll caution those of you that wish to go there that it won't be tolerated. This is a young person, obviously struggling to manage a snake he may not have prepared for very well. If we help him...we help the snake. Please keep that in mind and if helping this new member causes you frustration, there are many other threads here that you might enjoy more. :)

Nicely put. Right now, the snake is my top priority over school. haha so anything for him within this first week especially.
What should i make the tank look like? heres what i have, i read that they dont like the logg hiding thing, any other suggestions ?

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6044/1002582rl7.jpg
i kinda wanna change to aspen. because i hate having to change paper when her poops