Hey look what I did today bc everyone suggested it

So today I went out a got a small plastic tub, a brand new Acu-rite thermometer/hydrometer and a rheostat for the UTH. I placed the probe for the warm side on the bottom of the tub, stuck to the plastic. I figured whatever the temp was on the plastic surface, the temp on the surface of the substrate would be about 3-5 degrees cooler. I also made two smaller hides out of some cardboard.
Here are some images of the set-up...
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...212071656a.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...212071655a.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...212071655b.jpg

Looks good. I would use some dabs of hot glue instead of the tape. Snakes can get it stuck to them and it can damage eyes and scales.

Looks really good! Now leave her alone for a week and try dropping a live hopper in with her and walk away. Check back in 30 minutes and he should be gone!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PythonWallace

Looks good. I would use some dabs of hot glue instead of the tape. Snakes can get it stuck to them and it can damage eyes and scales.

---

those two pieces of tape are really secure I made sure...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by giaach

those two pieces of tape are really secure I made sure...

---

Keep an eye on them, once the humidity hits them, they will start to loosen.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

Looks really good! Now leave her alone for a week and try dropping a live hopper in with her and walk away. Check back in 30 minutes and he should be gone!

---

I'll keep an eye on that tape. But I'm having a really hard time finding live pinkys or hoppers... All I can find are live adults.

i agree on the boxes and using tape.. you can get small plastic plant lids pretty cheap, and the boxes will get ruined when they go to the bathroom.

Good job on making the switch, get ready for a happier snake!

p.s. you might want to invest in some binder clips to secure the lid, when the snakes gets older (ans stronger) will be able to push the lid off

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AshleyB

i agree on the boxes and using tape.. you can get small plastic plant lids pretty cheap, and the boxes will get ruined when they go to the bathroom.

Good job on making the switch, get ready for a happier snake!

p.s. you might want to invest in some binder clips to secure the lid, when the snakes gets older (ans stronger) will be able to push the lid off

---

I found plastic plant lids (6") but since there round they take up the whole tub, no room for water... and the lid locks (i have a hard time opening it haha), and besides once she's comfortable and has had at least 5 steady meals Im gonna move her back into the 10 gal tank.

Stick to the tub!!! Less stress from all the acclumations to new enclosures!!! Better humidity control. Better temp stability.

Also get rid of all that tape. I'm serious. I don't care how strong its on there. My girl got caught on some. And took an ass load of scales off. I'm hoping she can shed through the disaster I put her through. No tape!!!!!

Also go to walmart. To the pet section. The dog water bowl area. They're called crock brand water bowls. Low profile. Heavy duty. Cheap. And dark!! Melt a hole in the side with a soldering iron and your good to go!!!

Hope my reply and experience helps out.

I second keeping the snake in the bin.. its not as pleasing on the eyes but overall so much better for the snake... besides a 10gal isnt good for their whole lives anyway, at least bins can be replaced and upsized for a small fee.

YOU may think the bin lid is secure but they are strong and can get out of tight places.. I actually have a locking lid (it has handles that snap over the top of the lid) and i still use 4 binder clips, two on each side. the ends might be secure but i challange you to try lifting the middle of the lid from the actual bin and see what happens. I have yet to find a bin whose lid doesnt have at least a 1/2" gap.. and thats enough for any juvinile ball to get out of.. just a word of warning. its the worst feeling in the world to have a missing snake. I have actually purchased and returned the EXACT bin you have for the reason i listed above. Also keep a close eye on your humidity with having so few air holes.. i have found it better to have the holes along the side of the bin for air flow and humidity.. but thats me, to each his own

Dont count on the temp for the top of the bedding to be cooler.. the snakes have a good habit of moving bedding around and getting their bellys in direct contact with the bottom of the bin, thats why we use papertowels or newspaper here..

I never ever use tape on anything inside the enclosure. my temp gauge came with a suction cup that secures the actual probe.. you really should consider finding another way to secure it.. for the good of the animal.

As for the hides, I picked up two matching

http://www.undergroundreptiles.com/hideboxes.htm

basic black hide boxes, they work perfect!! They are inexpensive too depending on where you get them from. They have served my snakes well.. I started off using the planter trays and didnt like them very well, these were my alternative. They dont take up much space at all, are pretty uniform and very easy to clean..

There is alot of wonderful suggestions here.. i highly suggest you consider them. The people here really helped me in the beginning. I have never had an issue with temps, humidity, feeding, growth, stress or shed since i started using bins.. no joke!

also, as far as feeding goes. since you cant find hoppers and otherwise small rats why dont you try using mice until you can find the size that suits your snake. you can also consider purchasing frozen feeders from various places online..

sorry this got so lengthly, trying to help out.

You might need to check yellow pages on Yahoo to find a pet store that will sell live hoppers. I have two local ones I found, but they are often out of stock, so I have driven 50 minutes north to a place that has them every week. The drive is worth the satisfaction of having my baby KSB eat! He was fasting since we got him until we got the live pinkie mice.

Just letting you know, while the picture doesn't show it very well. I have air holes on all the sides and the top of the tub. But I'm seeming to have one problem. With the rheostat plugged into the UTH I cant seem to get a consistent temp. It will stay steady for some time then when I come back to check on it, the temp has gone up about 10 degrees. Is there a way with the rheostat to make it stay consistent or should I plug a thermostat into it as well?

wow.. what kind of rheostat do you have? I have a zoomed one currently and while it does flux about a degree or so its pretty stable almost full time. Good luck!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AshleyB

wow.. what kind of rheostat do you have? I have a zoomed one currently and while it does flux about a degree or so its pretty stable almost full time. Good luck!

---

by rheostat I mean dimmer, like one you would use for a light.

Hmm, I would suggest against that kind of dimmer for a UTH. Better to plug it into a t-stat or rheostat proper.

I would second the suggestions you've had about the tape in that tub. While it may be sticking now, it is VERY likely to lift up once the action of warmth and humidity work on the glue on the tape. Tape and snakes just don't do well together so I'd re-think that bit.

As far as prey, I'll PM you our phone number. If you need either pink or fuzzy rats (or even ASF's) to try on this snake give me a call. We're in Toledo and I'd be happy to try and help you get this snake taking prey. I don't do mice though, only regular and soft furred rats.

That looks like a place that a snake would feel secure. As to the good suggestions given about the tape, you could find little rubber coated or plastic clips at a hardware store and drill holes in the side and hold the cords in place with plastic nuts and bolts.With wingnuts you wouldnt need tools.That would be an inexpensive way to get rid of the tape. My guess on the temperature fluxuation would be that the room temperature is fluxuating maybe because of a drafty window or something.The best solution is probably to get a thermostat to compensate for changing room temps. Even a cheap one is better than none. That would set you back at least $30 though. Or move the snake to a warmer room in your house. Frankykeno has made a generous offer and it sounds like you are on your way.For hides you could get tupperware type stuff at a Dollar store and cut openings in them.Then you wouldnt have to keep getting new ones as the cardboard degrades as it was pointed out.Also set your tub on an inside wall as high as you can in the room.The floor and outsde walls are colder. :gj:

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. While at first I wanted to keep this set up as simple as possible ie not use a t-stat. I realized that with the UTH is was a necessity so I have the UTH running into a t-stat that keeps the temp a cozy 91-95 degrees. As for the tape holding the cables. I got some plastic clips that stick to the tub, so I can just run the cables through those.

I'd suggest you hit the store and grab some larger black binder clips for that lid. Those end clips that come with that lid will not protect your snake from escape. Take it from the more experienced folks here, we do know just how easy it is for a snake to slither under a lid even though it appears to be secure. Any give will allow an escape and a box of binder clips is a couple of bucks invest in your snake's safety.

Good luck in Toledo finding a source for live unweaned prey. I've been to pretty much every pet store there is here and none either breed or sell unweaned prey as far as I'm aware. Call around but quite honestly I don't think you're going to find them live, frozen yes...live not likely.