got me a new snake

names ozzy(the snakes not mine) and i had some questions like first how to tell the gender you kno like feeding and just any info about my ball python i should kno

thanks, mike

Welcome to the site. The first thing I would say is check out the caresheets here on this forum. They will cover all of the bases for care. Congrats on the new snake. I would normally recommend doing this homework before purchasing, but i'm glad you came here now to ask:)

it was very spontaneous of me to get the ting but im glad i did it kix ass

Trust me, you are not the first person to get a snake spur of the moment. At one point many years ago we didn't have forums like this for great info so we had to fend for ourselves. I usually say to follow the caresheets as a newbie and see what works best for you and your animals as experience grows.
Good luck with Ozzy!...oh, and we pretty much require pics around here of all new snakes;) There is a sticky at the top of one of the forums with a pic tutorial.

Im glad you like your new snake. I hope you realize that a pet comes with responsibilities, especially a snake. It is not necessarily always cheap to own a ball python but like any other pet there are living requirements that must be met in order for your pet to thrive. Welcome to the site and I hope you meet the challenges (there isn't many;)) of owning a bp easily!

This is a BRIEF list of what care is required for a ball python. Please refer to our care sheets (http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/f...splay.php?f=62) for more detailed information.


1) To measure your humidity and temperature accurately - Use DIGITAL gauges (stick on gauges are NOT reliable, and a waste of money unfortunately) The most cost friendly device you can purchase is an accurite digital thermometer/hygrometer from wal-mart for $12. The gauge does not have to be this brand, but something with an outdoor/indoor measurement will work because this means the device uses a probe.

2) You need a belly temperature (right on the glass under the hide on one side of the tank) measured by a probe (which comes with something like an accurite) of 90 - 93 degrees. This is where your bp will spend his time digesting and hanging out A LOT. A UTH (under tank heater) costs about $20 at a pet store but MUST have a control.

The safest and most reliable type of control is a thermostat ($70 - $300) but the minimum requirement for a control is something like a lamp dimmer (a rheostat, which is something that must be manually adjusted). Lowes sells piggyback lamp dimmers for about $10.

3) You need a hide on the cooler side of the tank with a belly temperature or ambient temperature in the low 80's. This can be achieved through a heat lamp with the correct wattage bulb, or simply a nice warm room. Keep in mind that the two hides you choose should be the same so your bp feels EQUALLY secure in BOTH hides. Your bp will choose where it feels safest, whether or not it is the correct temperature.

4) HUMIDITY = very important - just as important as temperature. 55-60% humidity is required for proper shedding. For tips on how to achieve this please see the care sheets.

5) A sturdy water dish with fresh water can be put anywhere in the tank, if placed over a UTH (under tank heater) it can help raise the humidity.

6) Substrate can be anything from newspaper or cage liners to aspen. Cedar is TOXIC. Do not use cedar. CYPRESS mulch is good - don't mix it up with cedar.

7) Security - ball pythons are shy. They hide more than 80% of the time so if your snake is hiding a lot, thats a good thing. Cover three sides of your tank with paper/aquarium background - what ever you would like to help your snake feel less exposed. Snug, identical hides are a MUST, one on the cool side one on the hot side.

8) Feeding - Live or FT (frozen/thawed) prey can be used approx once a week. Feeding size should be approx the width of the thickest part of your snake and approx 10-15% of the body weight (these are guidelines only)

Welcome to the site and I hope this is helpful to you:)

Well said, Missi! I was feeling way to lazy to say all of that;) LOL

Well said Missi ;)

Haha, I have that list saved ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by missi182

Haha, I have that list saved ;)

---

Cheater cheater! LOL

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by waltah!

Cheater cheater! LOL

---

Lol yah, but I DID write it.:rolleyes:

thanks alot missi the place where its at now(my cousins) is temporary -therefore not near perfect- when i move my things(and ozzy) back to my house this weekend i'll will definately make sure to fix the aquarium he's in to make it better i have a heat lamp 150 watts(thats not too much is it) some sand on the side with the heat lamp and bark(storebought) on the other side with man made hides(sprite frigdepack case) on each side and a glass bowl with water in it thats it for now like i said i'll make it better when i goes home

P.S. my room is a lot warmer then when the aquarium stands now

I would not recomend sand for a BP. With 150 watt lamp you really need to watch the temperature and get a thermostat ASAP. There is a lot of info here that will help you get everything set. The sticky forum and the husbandry forum will provide you a lot of good information.

i dont have a termostat or a thermometer at all for that matter now and i wont be able to get one for a bit i have just been watching the lamp and the behavior of teh bp real closley to see when or when it isnt comfy with the temp ill try and get one soon tho why no sand?

Ball pythons are not from a sandy environment and have not adapted to such an environment. The sand could irritate the snake if it gets under their scales and cause skin problems, or could cause respiratory problems. Keeping the proper humidity for your BP would be difficult with sand as well. You would either have it to dry, or if you wet the sand, you would be exsposing your snake to a damp substrate and that could cause skin problems as well. Some snakes such as the Kenyan sand boa would be ok in sand. The reason being that they have adapted to such an environment, and their scales are different than a BP.

ok makes sense do you kno how to tell aprt the genders

Their are two ways, but both should be done by someone who is experienced. One is done by popping, the other probing. An experienced vet or herpetologist could help you out with this. Here is good info at this site http://www.vpi.com/publications/dete..._sex_of_snakes
You should NOT try this yourself. Find someone who is experienced so your snake will not be injured.

ok so like i said i have no heating pads or things like that just the lamp but the bottom of teh tank is cold and ozzy dont seem to like if i warm up a towel and put it down will it work

The first thing you need to do is head to a hardware store or walmart and pick up a thermometer/hygrometer device. That means a device that can measure temperature AND humidity. Price is about $10. This is a MUST. You need to know how hot that lamp is. If the enclosure is at least 80 degrees he will be O.K TEMPORARILY.

After you purchase that your next investment will be a UTH (under tank heater) These are about $20 to $30 at a pet store or you can get them online. You can get a lamp dimmer for $9 at Home Depot or Lowes, or Walmart to help control it. In the long run you will want a thermostat but a lamp dimmer will do.

Your lamp is likely too high of a wattage. 100 should be the max you need and until you get a thermometer you won't be able to tell how hot it is. The other option with the lamp is to buy 2 dimmers, one for the lamp, one for the UTH.

So the BARE essentials are going to cost you about $40 - $50.

If you can't muster up that much you better get working to find the funds.

Also, I just want you to know that by asking questions and learning what you need to do you are already ahead of many new bp owners.

It is very common for people to drop by a pet store, pick up a bp on a whim, and NEVER research how to care for them. When their snake dies they think of it like a goldfish and figure it simply has a short lifespan. Hopefully you know this is not the case and bps can live for more than 10 years.

Keep asking questions, you are in the right place to learn about these amazing reptiles!

Missi is right. You can't guess the temps and humidity. Your best bet is to get a therm/hygrometer combo that also has a probe. The probe will be put in place at the warmest spot at the bottom and the main unit will monitor the ambient temps. Walmart has them for about $13 and it's a necessity. A 150 watt bulb is probably too much, I would go with a 100 watt bulb. Lamp dimmer (home depot $10) would work in a pinch, but you would want a good thermostat when you can get it. Uth's are a much better way to heat the tank generally for belly heat. You can still use a lamp to raise ambient temps if your room temp is not very warm.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dragon-Ozzy

i dont have a termostat or a thermometer at all for that matter now and i wont be able to get one for a bit i have just been watching the lamp and the behavior of teh bp real closley to see when or when it isnt comfy with the temp ill try and get one soon tho why no sand?

---

Dont guess. Temp gauges with the probes ( NOT the stick on ones, they are Inaccurate!) are like 10 bucks.

Buy the stuff your BP needs. Repti bark, aspen , Cypress or newspaper/paper towels or carefresh are all safe substrates to use.

When you feed. monitor the process entirely. Make sure you have a set of utensils that you can use to GRAB the mouse if things look to go awry. ( tongs are about 5-10 bucks depending on where you look to get them) ( This is if you feed live) You can also try feeding prekilled, or F/T *frozen then thawed prey, warmed up afterwards to seem alive* Which are safer for your snake.

You can also get a Temp gun. These things are awesome, and what i primariliy use to monitor my temps. they are about 15-30 bucks. ( again, depends where you get them)

Some great websites for supplies are
thebeanfarm.com
and
reptilebasics.com

Check them out. Buy what you need ASAP. and you wont have problems later on down the road! :) Read up as much as you can. Trust me, you will thank yourself for it later!