I'm New....

We just got a BP for the first time yesterday. I really don't know much about them other than what I have read on this site and few others. I think there is a TON of information, and I could read for days. I now know a few things that I need to add/change to make Funky more comfortable and healthy. The biggest question I have is if it takes a few days or weeks to get everything in order am I hurting the snake at all? I'm sure it was stressful making the move yesterday and will continue to take some timeto adjust.
If anyone has any suggestions that would be great!

Our BP came home a little under a week ago. I agree the info can be plentiful lol!!! Good luck with the new addition :)

Just let him be for a week or so. Make sure his environment is set up and he's comfy. When he's comfy you won't see him much, Royals are not very exciting. They sleep ALOT. Then after a week or so start with short handling sessions, I started with 10-15 minutes everyday except for the 2 days after he's been fed. Hope this helps a little. Enjoy the new addition!

Thanks. He/she is very moody right now. I have a five year old and I want her to be able to play with him, but he snaps even if I'm changing things in the tank. I added a shoebox so he could have another hiding place and he didn't like me being in there. So I guess I should give him an adjustment period then.

Sounds like he's just stressed now. I may have missed it but could you explain your setup a little more?

I didn't really explain it. He's in a 55 gallon tank. We have the heat thing under the tank, (i know you have an acronym for it but I'm not up to speed) it covers about half the length. I have a larger log for it to go under and I just put a shoe box in there. The bottom is covered with stuff that looks like carpet, there is a lamp on top (the side without the mat thing). I need to get a thermometer/hygrometer today. The top is a screen with a blanket over the top (not where the lamp is).

I'd ditch the carpet and go to Aspen or Bed A Beast or Eco Earth or something like that. Alot of members here use Cypress Mulch I think? Guess it's good for humidity. Definitely make sure you keep the humidity between 50 and 60% you'll get good sheds that way. As for the blanket If it's to keep humidity in I'd switch it for aluminum foil or plexiglass or I actually just use some damp dish towels but whatever works for you. Keep us updated once you get a hygrometer. Also if you don't have a Thermostat I highly recommend one http://www.spyderrobotics.com or a rheostat if a Thermostat is a little out of your price range at the moment. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by Funky#2

We just got a BP for the first time yesterday. I really don't know much about them other than what I have read on this site and few others. I think there is a TON of information, and I could read for days. I now know a few things that I need to add/change to make Funky more comfortable and healthy. The biggest question I have is if it takes a few days or weeks to get everything in order am I hurting the snake at all? I'm sure it was stressful making the move yesterday and will continue to take some timeto adjust.
If anyone has any suggestions that would be great!

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Welcome to the forum!! Ball pythons are typically shy little snakes who need a week or two to adjust to their new environment and the new routine. Many members don't even offer a meal until 10-14 days has passed.

As for your tank set up, there are several members who keep their snakes successfully in a glass tank- I, however, am not one of them! ;) I can make the guess that your hides are too big and the tank is too big as well. These snakes, especially while they are young and small, really thrive in tight and small spaces; makes 'em feel secure :)

Here's a link about setting up tanks that you might find useful: http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56846.

And here's the ball python care sheet link: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59.

These two link might help to condense the massive amounts of info on this site and might help to narrow the things you might need to address now and not in a couple of weeks from now!

Again, welcome to the forum!! :D

I took a few pictures. I added some mulch, for lack of a better term, and changed the log I previously had in there for to hide into two smaller identical ones. There is an UTH on the left side and Ihave the lamp on the other. I just put the thermometer and hygrometer in so Im not sure the actual temp and humidity yet. Let me know what you guys think.

http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/k...427/Funky1.jpg

http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/k...7/Funky005.jpg

You shouldn't keep the water under the heat lamp.

I just had the lamp there for picture taking.

I'm going to be honest and say that its going to require a lot of work to get your temp/humidity up to par in a tank that large. Then if you manage to accomplish that you might run into problems with the snake not eating because of all the open space; especially if this is a pet that is going to be handled often. If I was 5 years old I know I wouldn't be able to leave it in peace ;)

With that said it might be best to consider a smaller tank set up. In the end it will make keeping the snake a much more enjoyable experience. Happy snakes, happy keepers, happy times all around.

Thanks for the suggestions. We want that size tank sort of like a piece of furniture or decoration. I am realizing that I have my work cut out for me and thats ok. I didn't think there would be an issue feeding though. However, I don't really know anything about the subject. When people use another container for feeding, what do they typically use? And do you think that would eliminate that problem?

Here's the problem, feeding in a separate enclosure is only going to work when the snake already feels safe and secure. When the snake isn't secure in its home tank the act of moving him to another container is probably going to worsen the issue.

If you want to try I would suggest getting your temps/humidity established asap. You definitely need to do something about all that open floor space. The addition of more hides and fake plants is what I would use but decorate to your tastes keeping in mind that what ever you put in there is going to be bombarded with urine and urates.

I can't see if they're covered in the pics but I would cover the side pieces of glass with something dark, or even more of what you used as a background. With all that done I wouldn't feed in another enclosure I would offer him food in his home enclosure. Thats how most of us here do it but there are people that successfully feed in separate tubs. With how big the cage is I wouldn't recommend moving for feeding but thats just my opinion.

Edit: Forgot to mention, you're definitely going to need some digital thermometer/hydrometers, in any tank its a must.

Everyone does it differently.. sometimes moving your bp in another tank or container to feed will make them moody & not eat.
I did put my bp in one for 1 month, since I thought it was better. Then realized I can feed him in the tank.

I use newspaper for the substrate, with some aspen. I only put the aspen where the hides are. BP's like dark on the back & sides.
you may want to add a small drift wood log, for climbing in or to help shed.


I have a soon to be 4 yr old son, who ADORES George our BP. He knows he can only handle him when I say so & when I am right there. I also have 4 other reptiles.

Welcome to BP.Net there is alot of information here, stickies(the important stuff) read as much as possible.

Enjoy!!!

:)

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Originally Posted by Funky#2

Thanks for the suggestions. We want that size tank sort of like a piece of furniture or decoration. I am realizing that I have my work cut out for me and thats ok. I didn't think there would be an issue feeding though. However, I don't really know anything about the subject. When people use another container for feeding, what do they typically use? And do you think that would eliminate that problem?

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

Here's the problem, feeding in a separate enclosure is only going to work when the snake already feels safe and secure. When the snake isn't secure in its home tank the act of moving him to another container is probably going to worsen the issue.

If you want to try I would suggest getting your temps/humidity established asap. You definitely need to do something about all that open floor space. The addition of more hides and fake plants is what I would use but decorate to your tastes keeping in mind that what ever you put in there is going to be bombarded with urine and urates.

I can't see if they're covered in the pics but I would cover the side pieces of glass with something dark, or even more of what you used as a background. With all that done I wouldn't feed in another enclosure I would offer him food in his home enclosure. Thats how most of us here do it but there are people that successfully feed in separate tubs. With how big the cage is I wouldn't recommend moving for feeding but thats just my opinion.

Edit: Forgot to mention, you're definitely going to need some digital thermometer/hydrometers, in any tank its a must.

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I have one thermometer/hydrometers you just can't see it in the picture.

Good Luck, in the end as long as you have a snake that is feeding and shedding properly (going #1 and #2 of course), how you get there doesn't matter. Just be willing to try new things because it may not be easy, I pulled my hairs out when I had my two tank set ups hehe

We're here if you have any questions along the way :)

One moment, sorry , I know it seems like we're all criticising your enclosure... but that isnt cedar mulch your using? Cedar is toxic to reptiles and will kill them.... :(

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

One moment, sorry , I know it seems like we're all criticising your enclosure... but that isnt cedar mulch your using? Cedar is toxic to reptiles and will kill them.... :(

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Good Catch I'm outside and the glare is horrible on my laptop, I didn't even notice.

It was for about 10 minutes until I realized I put the wrong one in! I totatlly freaked my daughter was running around asking if it was going to die. There shouldnt be any harm if it was in there for that little time right?!

I have a 40 gallon breeder tank that we use but it house a 54'' 2000 gram female not a hatchling. If you use plants,logs and ect. to make it more comfortable it's just going to make it harder to feed her in there.Cleanup day will be a nightmare.

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Originally Posted by Funky#2

It was for about 10 minutes until I realized I put the wrong one in! I totatlly freaked my daughter was running around asking if it was going to die. There shouldnt be any harm if it was in there for that little time right?!

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I would wipe him down with a warm washcloth with a couple drops of soap to remove any residue oils. But I dont think that short of a time is going to hurt him.

I would ditch the lamp and stick with the UTH ( under tank heater) Also having a bright light on you 24/7 could get annoying as for the little one I would let him settle in I kept my first 2 bps in 55 gal tanks (separately of course) They did very well I only switched to a rack due to lack of space for larger collection. Although I didnt put them in a 55 from the start i moved them from 10gals to 20 longs to the 55's dont know if that would make a difference though. Oh also add more stuff to your tank poor snake is probably too scared to move since its soo far from one hide to another go buy some fake plants and clutter it up a bit.

Welcome to the board! There is so much information here and so many helpful members...if you have questions just ask away!

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Originally Posted by sg1trogdor

I would ditch the lamp and stick with the UTH ( under tank heater) Also having a bright light on you 24/7 could get annoying as for the little one I would let him settle in I kept my first 2 bps in 55 gal tanks (separately of course) They did very well I only switched to a rack due to lack of space for larger collection. Although I didnt put them in a 55 from the start i moved them from 10gals to 20 longs to the 55's dont know if that would make a difference though. Oh also add more stuff to your tank poor snake is probably too scared to move since its soo far from one hide to another go buy some fake plants and clutter it up a bit.

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I agree about not using a bright white bulb but the lamp might be necessary to keep temps up. Because of our A/C I have to use both an UTH and the lamp and it's worked out great. We started out with the white bulb but quickly switched to a red one so we could leave it on 24/7, just to maintain target temps.

We also wanted a display tank so we got the 20gal long which is longer than a 20 gal fish tank but also not as high, making it much easier to maintain the right temps and still looks nice. But, the most important factor is her comfort. We had to add some extra stuff but she seems quite happy in her home. I'm willing to bet that keeping your temps and humidity where they should be is going to be a lot harder than you think.

Best of luck to all of you! Hopefully we will see you around the board often...but be careful, it's addicting!

Thanks everyone for their suggestions and encouraging words! I just got some plants some aspen and a ceramin emitter. I'll put up more pictures when I get home and set it all up.

I am pretty much as new as you...after talking to several peeps from the forum yesterday I came up with some great tips!!!

I covered the two sides and back of my tank with corkboard and aluminum foil then reinforced it with duct tape...i m proud to say that the temps have stabilized and are looking great!!

I myself made a rookie mistake and bought a tank too big...so i m still struggling to make my BP comfortable... (she kinda gets stressed at night and pushes on the top and sides of the tank, i will have to remedy that with some more hides and greenery) i can't wait to c pics of your new setup :) It is nice to be able to see how things are working for you too :)

I added some things to the tank. Also, the light is on so I could get a good picture. I do NOT keep it on.

http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/k...7/Funky007.jpg

Also, when we got home this evening Funky was roaming around so I tried to snap a shot of him. (I do not know that he is a he it's just what we say). It's a good sign that he wants to explore right?!

http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/k...7/Funky008.jpg

I took the pictures with my phone, so they aren't that clear.

Looking much better :gj:

Him exploring is good, he's secure enough to come out of the hide. You will want to keep an eye out though, excessive roaming and trying to escape out the top of the cage is a sign of stress and most likely some issue with temp/humidity. Good luck with the first feed attempt :)