Just got a new ball python ... help

Hi I just got a new Pastel Ball Python today at a reptile show... my first snake/reptile ever


http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...a/100_0337.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...a/100_0341.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...a/100_0340.jpg


So I handled him at the show and he was very tame so I liked him and his color etc... handled him on ride him tame and nice

Well about 10 minutes ago I went to pick him up and he lashed at me and tried to bite me???? the bad part is he didnt get me but I moved my hand so fast away that the hide log my hand hit it and landed right on him... crap... Is he gonna bite me every time now????????? ... Im so depressed right now ...... :(

you need to give him about a week to get settled in. you need to make sure you temps are right, your humidity is right. he probably just a little stressed. no worries. most have us have all delt with that at some point. :D

Well did you have the tank/tub all set up for him before you bought it? What's your knowledge level as far as BP's?



edit: just noticed your pictures, beautiful snake but you need another hide, and possibly better substrate [that type can annoy his scales] Looks like a 29 gallon which is OK. Might wanna add some trees or something just to help him out, and possibly cover the back and sides with a black or dark colored piece of construction paper, for less stress

Welcome to the forum!

Please check out our caresheet.

Right now, I think your ball python is stressed out and needs to adjust to his new environment. You should probably leave him alone for about a week..yes it's a long time, but you gotta.

Welcome to the site...........Nice pastel you have there.

Let that new guy settle in for about a week maybe two. No handling. Give him a chance to find out where he's at. Most ball pythons will not strike forever. However they do like to hiss, as babies and sometimes strike. Most of the time they grow out of it.


Check out this page .............. http://ball-pythons.net/modules.php?...warticle&id=59



If you have anymore questions, and you will...........just ask away, we have plenty of people here to help if your willing to learn!


:sweeet:

Nice pastel you got there. I would say that your new bp is probably really stressed out right now. Being in a small plastic container with people yelling and walking around and being handled by tons of people is scary for such a little creature. The only reason he probably snapped at you is because he feels threatened. My best advice would be to leave him/her alone for a FULL WEEK and let them get comfortable. While it may be hard to resist picking him/her up, it's in the snakes and your best interest. A stressed snake only leads to more problems, like food refusal. Keep us posted...

well ok I leave him alone... I was just thought I could take him out and handle but I guess he has to get used to tank...

and for the person who asked how much experience I have is 0 my first bp

but anyway everything is good in the tank besides the temp.. its at 75. I have a under the tank mat.. cant adjust output tho

whats your suggestions... for heating .. I obvisoly need more heat


and thanks for all the replys

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Terrified

well ok I leave him alone... I was just thought I could take him out and handle but I guess he has to get used to tank...

and for the person who asked how much experience I have is 0 my first bp

but anyway everything is good in the tank besides the temp.. its at 75. I have a under the tank mat.. cant adjust output tho

whats your suggestions... for heating .. I obvisoly need more heat


and thanks for all the replys

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75 isn't enough, you need 87-90 on the hot side, 93 max and 78-83 on the cool side, also 50-60 percent humidity at all times.


Increase humidity by putting a big water bowl near the heat source, and misting the sides of the tank, not too much though


you can get a cheap controller for your heat at your local petsmart or petco, for 21.99 for now, that will work fine.

What are you using to measure temps? I don't see anything, so I'm going to assume those crappy stick ons..they don't work.

I use an Acurite thermometer...which can be picked up at Wal-mart for about 12 bucks. It measures indoor and outdoor (with a probe) temps, so you can monitor the hot and cool side at the same time. It also does Humidity for you.

If you want good equipment, check out Reptile Basics. There's a lot to learn, so ASK QUESTIONS :gj:

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Originally Posted by mtxsub7

you can get a cheap controller for your heat at your local petsmart or petco, for 21.99 for now, that will work fine.

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Cheap isn't "fine"..IMO. I've read quite a few of those failure stories with cheapo equipment. :2cent:

you need to be real careful with that under the tank heater. it will get well over a hundred degrees if you do not have a thermostat on it and then you will have a baked snake. especially if it is under the side where his hide is. the heat you are more than likely registering is the ambient temp in the cage not the heat at the bottom. be careful.

flukers thermostat and hydrometer

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

Cheap isn't "fine"..IMO. I've read quite a few of those failure stories with cheapo equipment. :2cent:

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Yeah, I figured he didn't have much to start so just getting basic stuff for now until he can research the more important and better quality things for as soon as he feels ready to pursue it

o god hes balled up right where the heater mat is

How old are you? Not being rude, just wondering how much money you have to spend on supplies now that you have your beautiful snake (he is a beauty!)

funds dont really matter as long as hes happy

im 17

just show me some links of what to get plz

RBI: http://www.reptilebasics.com/ This is a great sight with cages, racks, Helix t'stats, temp gun, scales, etc.

spyderrobotics.com has Herpstat t'stats; also very good

Get the accurite (or something similar) from Lowes, walmart, etc) to monitor temps. This has a probe for monitoring the hot side as well as cool side and humidity.

Cover the sides of the cage with black paper to help him feel more secure.

2 hides, small enough for him to feel them against his body when he's inside, one for the cool side and one for the hot side.

Some sort of substrate: newsprint, kraft paper, aspen.....

READ the care sheets; you already have the link. ASK questions!!!!

I forgot to add a water bowl.....

How's the snake? Whats going on?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by starmom

RBI: http://www.reptilebasics.com/ This is a great sight with cages, racks, Helix t'stats, temp gun, scales, etc.

spyderrobotics.com has Herpstat t'stats; also very good

Get the accurite (or something similar) from Lowes, walmart, etc) to monitor temps. This has a probe for monitoring the hot side as well as cool side and humidity.

Cover the sides of the cage with black paper to help him feel more secure.

2 hides, small enough for him to feel them against his body when he's inside, one for the cool side and one for the hot side.

Some sort of substrate: newsprint, kraft paper, aspen.....

READ the care sheets; you already have the link. ASK questions!!!!

I forgot to add a water bowl.....

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did you look at the pictures? I have some of that stuff

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mtxsub7

How's the snake? Whats going on?

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how am I suppose to tell.. hes under the hide log

you need to take him out and put him on the cool side until you can get a good reading on the warm side. if hes balled up the likely hood of him striking you is very small. even if he did it would not hurt and i am sure you would rather move him then cook him.

this?

http://www.target.com/gp/search/601-...t_adv_XSGT1664

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Terrified

this?

http://www.target.com/gp/search/601-...t_adv_XSGT1664

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I think those were grill and meat thermometers!! :rofl:
Look at the Lowes site or walmart!!! And yes, I did look at your pictures but they made my eyes burn! J/K!!!!!!
Listen, you need a t'stat to regulate whatever you have under that green mat or else you could wind up burning your snake. Also, maybe move those stick on temp things down lower, where the snake is.

lol

this

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...7GT&lpage=none

Very nice little pastel there! You obviously invested a bit of money into the snake, and you want to protect that investment :)

Here ya go, read this: http://ball-pythons.net/modules.php?...warticle&id=59

Taking a look at your setup, right off the bat I can tell you that you're going to need another hide... you need one for both the warm side and the cool side. BPs love to hide, and he will go back and forth during the day to regulate his body temperature.

You will probably also need to get another heat source of some sort to keep the temps up in his enclosure. With all that air in there circulating around, you're going to be losing a lot of heat (heat rises out the top). I highly doubt one undertank heater will keep it up where it needs to be (I also recommend getting a thermostat for both heat sources).

Also, being in a ten gallon tank like that, you're going to lose A LOT of humidity out the top as well. You will have to cover the top of it with something to keep the humidity in (saranwrap works, or something along those lines).

Have you thought about possibly moving him into a plastic tub? It's much easier to control temps and humidity... but it's your choice of course.

thanks ... I will get a thermometer, another hide and another heat soruce tommorow... parents said no to plastic tub.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Terrified

lol

this

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...7GT&lpage=none

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:gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Terrified

thanks ... I will get a thermometer, another hide and another heat soruce tommorow... parents said no to plastic tub.

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Can I ask why, just outta curiousity? It's cheaper, in the long run? *shrugs* Make sure you get some saranwrap or some bubble wrap too! :)

Hey, btw, welcome! And no worries, new BP friend, if you get your little fella set up right and give him some time to settle in, he'll be a total sweetheart for you. But you stuck him in a big new open space and he's a little stressed right now... I probably wouldn't be in such a good mood either :P

why cuz its in the living room.. thats about it..

I hope hes a sweetheart

I forgot to say welcome also! Where are my manners?! :handshake

Okay, understand.

And he will be... no worries. We're all here to help!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Terrified

why cuz its in the living room.. thats about it..

I hope hes a sweetheart

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Very cool. Since he's in the living room and your parents want the housing to look good, why not get a cage from Rich at RBI? Here's the link to check it out:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/2x3-Cag...h-p-16286.html

all these replys blow my mind.. this rocks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Terrified

all these replys blow my mind.. this rocks

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Yeah, we are *very* cool here!! :banana: No, really, we all just LOVE balls!! :love:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by starmom

Yeah, we are *very* cool here!! :banana: No, really, we all just LOVE balls!! :love:

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Hemhem... and boas! :D

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Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

Hemhem... and boas! :D

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:rofl::gj:

#1 Sin in getting any pet is not having the proper environment that is stable for them. i had my tank set up for a week prior to buying my first normal male. and my rack build and the heat on for a week before i moved my male in and then quickly filled the rest of the rack with others.

#2 Sin is not being informed enough prior to having bought the snake!

It's good your here for help shows you want your little guy to live. in the future though man. have everything stable prior to buying an animal.

also a good chunk of crap you buy at a pet store is in fact crap. there is an excellent chance your pastel was born and raised in a sterilite or similar tub system. its what he has known and is most likely more comfortable with. they are way cheaper than aquariums to purchase and WAY easier to keep clean and sterile. i would highly suggest getting a set up like that. in my tank i had issues with humidity and heat, not to mention my chump little guy liked to try to crawl up and fall down the side!

ball pythons are fine with 6 to 8 inches of height its floor space and adequate hides they need more than air space!

it is a pretty pastel though.

Welcome, Terrified! You will experience lots of differing opinions on this site - but the best part about keeping a pet snake is getting to know your animal, listening to everything and then making the choices that are best for you.

Your tank will be fine, but it will take a little more work to keep your temps and humidity up. Here's what I did - cover the sides and back with cork board - you can get those precut kind in Bed, Bath and Beyond for like $12. Use two hides - as everyone has noted. I cover half my top with a wet cotton napkin, covered with tin foil - shiny side down and then a towel on top of that to help keep warmth in. I only have to wet the napkin once a day and my humidity stays just fine. I mist during a shed to bring the humidity up a bit. My temps and humidity stay steady. I have two water bowls - one is quite small and on the hot side. The larger one is in the middle.

I've also read on the forum that you can help reduce stress by balling up newspaper and putting in his tank for a while just to help him get used to the tank and have lots of hiding spots.

Good Luck!

Update....

yesterday day 1
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...a/100_0341.jpg

today

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...a/100_0348.jpg
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...a/100_0350.jpg


how do you guys like the updates... I know he does

Very nice! How're your temps and humidity?

Also, you do realize that tank won't suit him throughout his entire life, right? You'll have to do this all over again at some point :)

But yeah man, looks great compared to what it was! :gj:

looks good.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Terrified

thanks ... I will get a thermometer, another hide and another heat soruce tommorow... parents said no to plastic tub.

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My parents said that too. But it's my snake and I did it anyways! I than moved my female back into a way smaller tank and have my other balls in the closet hiding. but you have to know what your doing when setting up a tank for a ball python. PM me if you have any questions, and good luck!

Wow!~ what a huge change overnight!! You're off to great start!! How bout blackening out the side panels also? This might help to make him feel even more secure! Way to go!! :gj: :banana:

the temp went from 75 with the uth to 86 right away but then i adjusted heat output and its around 81-82 ..

yes i realizee I have to do this again some point

How's the humidity? With the lamp, you really have to watch the humidity... it'll suck it out (thus the recommendation of a plastic covering over the top). With the humidity too low, you'll be looking at bad sheds, where the skin will come off in pieces, and quite possibly respiratory infections later down the line.

the humidity was at 50 before the light and I just checked now and its at 39 crap.. advice plz

well i have mine in a glass tank as well... what i did was put a big water bowl under the UTH and i placed it right under the heat lamp.... my humidity never goes under 50 when its set up like that.... the only time i have to mist is when hes in sheddin :gj:

AWESOME MAN!


your top might not be too secure though, throw some books or something on top of it

got top clamps.. its so study . ..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Terrified

got top clamps.. its so study . ..

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oh ok , i couldnt see


about your humidity, throw a peice of fiberglass over the top, or put a damp towel, pretyt much block off everything but the light


feel free to pm me questions