Getting a BP tomorrow..

I know there is caresheets but i would prefer my questions directly answerd




I am getting one tomorrow now I have been researching and I am going to say what I know and if i'm wrong please correct me..


you NEED a heat pad under the tank but you DON'T exactly need a heat lamp, unless you want the lighting [ My question with this is if my lamp is going to be too much, its 75W and seems to make the take hot pretty fast, but if i turn it off then i lose lighting.. any info?] Is 90 degrees the area I am looking for in the basking area? and how much should the cooler side be around?

feed every 7-10 days for younger BP's


2 identical hides on the warm side and cool side, a bowl bigger then the snake for them to soak in..


Also, is paper towls OK for a substrate? I have that reptile grass stuff like the strips but I don't think that's ok.. is it? If not, hopefully paper towels are ok..


Humidity is also important but I am not sure how to obtain 70 percent humidity.. does just misting do the trick?


Also, If I want to make a humid hide, whats the best way to do it?

What type of enclosure are you using?

Looks like you're on the right track!

If you are using an aquarium for your set up, then what I would do to keep humidity up is get a towel damp and place it over half of the screen. That worked wonders for me :)

Have you picked up a digital thermometer yet?

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Originally Posted by mtxsub7

I know there is caresheets but i would prefer my questions directly answerd




I am getting one tomorrow now I have been researching and I am going to say what I know and if i'm wrong please correct me..


you NEED a heat pad under the tank but you DON'T exactly need a heat lamp, unless you want the lighting [ My question with this is if my lamp is going to be too much, its 75W and seems to make the take hot pretty fast, but if i turn it off then i lose lighting.. any info?] Is 90 degrees the area I am looking for in the basking area? and how much should the cooler side be around?

feed every 7-10 days for younger BP's


2 identical hides on the warm side and cool side, a bowl bigger then the snake for them to soak in..


Also, is paper towls OK for a substrate? I have that reptile grass stuff like the strips but I don't think that's ok.. is it? If not, hopefully paper towels are ok..


Humidity is also important but I am not sure how to obtain 70 percent humidity.. does just misting do the trick?

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OK first off welcome to BP.net. I use bulbs in a 55gl and 20gl cuz I gotta order my flexwatt yet for my rack. you want cool side 80-84 warm about 90-94 I think 94 is to hot so I keep mine about 89 91 thats just me everyone does it diffrent. I use newspaper but paper towels are ok also.. hope this helps. oh and ya 2 hides is fine :)

I have a 29 gallon tank

I have a Flukers 8.5 clamp lamp for incandescent bulbs or ceramic heat emitters rated 150w and I have a 75w UVA basking spot lamp, and also a 75W moonlight for night time although I don't think I;; use that..


I have a bowl for him to soak in
A bunch of fake plants and I am getting a stick or something of that sort for him to climb on tomorrow as well, I am making my own hides

My biggest concern is tempature and humidity I plan on getting a heat mat tomorrow but for humidity I don't know how to get it to the higher percentages and I need some tips on making hides

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Originally Posted by mtxsub7

I have a 29 gallon tank

I have a Flukers 8.5 clamp lamp for incandescent bulbs or ceramic heat emitters rated 150w and I have a 75w UVA basking spot lamp, and also a 75W moonlight for night time although I don't think I;; use that..


I have a bowl for him to soak in
A bunch of fake plants and I am getting a stick or something of that sort for him to climb on tomorrow as well, I am making my own hides

My biggest concern is tempature and humidity I plan on getting a heat mat tomorrow but for humidity I don't know how to get it to the higher percentages and I need some tips on making hides

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Ball Pythons dont soak! Unless they have mites, And they dont climb all that much. Please before you get this snake and do some harm to it. READ,READ AND READ SOME MORE!!!

How big is your ball? I ask cause a 29g tank is HUGE for a baby!! Also, they don't need to soak and they also don't climb. Do you have a t'stat and a temp gun? Please read the care sheets that have been lovingly compiled by the good folks on this forum; they will help you a lot. Also, it takes a good couple of weeks to get the snakes environment stable before you even get the snake in there; do you have a place together for the snake while you get this cage up and running?

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Originally Posted by starmom

How big is your ball? I ask cause a 29g tank is HUGE for a baby!! Also, they don't need to soak and they also don't climb. Do you have a t'stat and a temp gun? Please read the care sheets that have been lovingly compiled by the good folks on this forum; they will help you a lot. Also, it takes a good couple of weeks to get the snakes environment stable before you even get the snake in there; do you have a place together for the snake while you get this cage up and running?

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No I am getting it tomorrow [snake] I have the tank and the majority of the stuff inside it already though.

Hi,

I would get the heat set up then to see where you are - that really isnt something you want to be still figuring out when the snake is in it if you can avoid it.

How are you going to control the various heating elements?

I couldn't see where you say what kind of thermometer you have so can you remind me?


dr del

I am getting a better thermometer tomorrow, but for now I have the crappy fish tank stick on kind, and its reading the highest it can say which is 86... I am not sure how I am going to regulate the temp maybe I can get some suggestions..


Also when I leave for work or something is it safe to leave the basking lamp on? It gets pretty hot

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mtxsub7

I am getting a better thermometer tomorrow, but for now I have the crappy fish tank stick on kind, and its reading the highest it can say which is 86... I am not sure how I am going to regulate the temp maybe I can get some suggestions..


Also when I leave for work or something is it safe to leave the basking lamp on? It gets pretty hot

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:O Please don't get the snake! Thats the best suggestion anyone can give you. You don't sound ready for one. Do you have money for a vet? Your going to need one.

Do a search on plastic tubs their better than tanks.

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Originally Posted by Wolves-N-Dogs

:O Please don't get the snake!

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That's really not a necessary comment. He is here on the forum asking questions and seeking advice to make sure his conditions are proper before he gets the snake... I see no harm in the questions he's asking, and it would only frustrate and anger me if people were telling me not to buy a snake because I'm asking questions.

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

That's really not a necessary comment. He is here on the forum asking questions and seeking advice to make sure his conditions are proper before he gets the snake... I see no harm in the questions he's asking, and it would only frustrate and anger me if people were telling me not to buy a snake because I'm asking questions.

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IMO, he/she is asking the questions too late for a tomorrow snake pick-up. I feel that asking this person to refrain from getting the snake until they have the environment set up and stable is a very good piece of advice. That said, it is really great this person has sought out this forum in order to check their own information and get further information.
My best advice would be for this person to ask whomever has their snake to please hold it for a couple of more days until the husbandry has been attended to. Doing this would allow for a healthier snake and a far more positive experience for the keeper.
That's my 2 cents! :gj:

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

That's really not a necessary comment. He is here on the forum asking questions and seeking advice to make sure his conditions are proper before he gets the snake... I see no harm in the questions he's asking, and it would only frustrate and anger me if people were telling me not to buy a snake because I'm asking questions.

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I should have put a yet in there..

I use a small hand towel to help with the humidity as well. Wal mart sells a digital thermometer, Acu-rite. :snake:

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

Looks like you're on the right track!

If you are using an aquarium for your set up, then what I would do to keep humidity up is get a towel damp and place it over half of the screen. That worked wonders for me :)

Have you picked up a digital thermometer yet?

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Originally Posted by starmom

Also, they don't need to soak and they also don't climb.

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That's not entirely true... especially young BPs like to climb once in a while :)

Markus, just because you're housing 2 small ball pythons together in a ginormous tank, and they are out climbing around(which means they are stressed), doesn't mean that all Ball Pythons climb. I know I have quite a few who would likely starve themselves to death from the stress if I put them in a huge 80 gallon naturalistic tank.

I'm really starting to think that there are quite a few high and might keepers on this site. When someone asks for advice they are getting flamed. At least he is asking before he has the snake which is more than a lot of people do. I'm going to help him with his setup myself now. I don't know this person personally, but I hate the fact that newbies can't come here and ask questions without being made to feel inferior. If most folks here were to think back to when they were new to the hobby they might just remember some mistakes that they made. Not everyone has 100 snakes and were initiated into the hobby at an early age. The net is great for this hobby, but you have probably seen some pretty poor advice being passed around. At least he came to a site with great info for help.

I am fortunate enough to live near waltah so he is going to assist me with my setup, practically giving me his and giving me tons of advice, now that's a good member

I'm really glad I came here, I did get a lot of help so far, and hopefully everything turns out well.

thanks walt

That is super awesome!!! That is really nice of you Waltah:gj:.

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Originally Posted by mtxsub7

I am fortunate enough to live near waltah so he is going to assist me with my setup, practically giving me his and giving me tons of advice, now that's a good member

I'm really glad I came here, I did get a lot of help so far, and hopefully everything turns out well.

thanks walt

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It's my pleasure to help someone out who actually wants to give his new bp a good, healthy start. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mtxsub7

I am fortunate enough to live near waltah so he is going to assist me with my setup, practically giving me his and giving me tons of advice, now that's a good member

I'm really glad I came here, I did get a lot of help so far, and hopefully everything turns out well.

thanks walt

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This is an awesome resolution to the problems and challenges you have right now! :) It is great to actually see and be shown how to do things; so much easier and way more clear for you than asking a ton of questions and getting a ton of replies all randomly scattered through out the day.
Walt is being a terrific helper and friend to both the herp world and yourself. Very cool. I love seeing people helping people...probably why I'm in grad school.... Cool stuff!!!!!!!!!!! :cool: