Possible plans ok?

Hi everyone,
I want a Ball python very badly, but my dad is stopping me from getting one. I have 2 corns snakes, a leopard gecko and 2 Fire bellied toads. He says money's not an issue and I just have enough animals.I want to be a vet when I grow up and eventually become qualified to work on reptiles because I dont think there are enough people out there that are. For the chance that I do get one could you please tell me if the following plans are ok.
Since I plan on getting a younger BP I want to purchase a 31 qt tub. This way I can put some plants or more items in for a small python, and the cage wont be too huge for him. Its cold in my house during the winter (63) so instead of just leaving one side of the cage without flexwatt I plan on using 2 separate pieces. One will be set at 95 so by the time it radiates the the aspen it will be around 90 in the warm side hide. The other will be set at 80-82 for the cool side. This way no place in the cage will be too cold and possibly cause RI. I have a digital thermometer that is recomended from walmart. In the instance I do get one, and it's too small I have some extra fake foliage for more security. And obviously a water bowl on the cool side and whatever it takes to get the humidity between 50% and 60%.
Does all this sound Ok? I tried to talk to him but he just acted real stubborn and didnt listen.Im going to type up a decent sized email telling him about everything I plan to do. I'll tell him that I can give him the extra money it costs to run the flexwatt just in case money is an issue. Im holding out hope but he obviously doesnt understand. He's just a real selfish person for various reasons. :irkd:

you don't need plants in with the snake he don't care if you have plants or not just a safe place to hide,BP's are not as easy to care for as you may think corns are much easier & cold tolerent,I would do some more homework before jumping in to BP's.

I have read many books on them. Im currently reading my 3rd book. I am aware of the differences/difficulties of keeping them warm and properly secure. The reason I suggested plants was for more security. I would provide Dark hide boxes on the warm and cool side, but if the snake was a bit too small for the tub, some plants for cover would help wouldnt they?

be prepared in your email, think it all through. Do you pay for their food? Can you continue to do that? I doubt the flexwatt is going to cost that much. Do you clean their cages and keep them clean? Are they all in your room? you can convince anyone if you have your plans set in place and set them on the table with good common sense. Best of luck!!

Flexiwatt isn't expensive at all. I think I looked at big apple herp and found 1 ft of 11" flexiwatt for $5.00+ change, and I believe that included shipping. I wouldn't get any plants either. Just a waste of money and the BP will destroy them by climbing all over it. Use crumpled up newspaper or paper towels instead if the cage seems to big for him/her. They're cheep, and you wont feel bad about throwing it away

Also, when you're writing your e-mail, BE RESPECTFUL!!! I cant stress enough that a little bit of respect goes a long way, and it will make you appear more mature to him in the long run.

Yes thank you! Im typing the email now.That food was actually what I was just typing. I pay for all of the food for all of my herps. I do different little jobs for neighbors and other people and get payed. I would be getting all of the supplies etc. with my money. I've read about the newspaper method before too. They wouldnt be real plants anyway. Just the fake plastic ones that you can buy at the petstore. Thanks everyone for all the quick responses!

best of luck to you. hope everything turns out well

Thanks! I'll let you know how it went.

if you are going to get a hatchling BP, a 31 qt tub is way too big. Start with a 6 qt or 15 qt and when he grows out of it then go for the 31. The smaller tubs are easier to heat and keep humidity up in.....That way,
he'll be less stressed, will eat better and be a perfect pet.

Thank you. While I was at walmart last night I looked at the sterlite tubs there. The only little thing I dont like about planning to purchase an animal as shy to space as a BP at a show( which is where I want to get one) , is you never know what you're going to come out with. I can say I want a hatchling but a yearling could really catch my attention and nothing is stopping me from leaving with it. That's why Im sort of trying to plan on the slightly bigger side. But for the sake of the animal it looks like Im going to have to stick with my plans of a hatchling and get a smaller tub (if I get a BP at all). Also, the email hasnt been brought up. He read it, but hasnt said anything.

If he still hasn't brought the e-mail up (I'm replying like, half a day late :P) he's probably waiting for you to tell him to his face everything you said in the e-mail, to see if you really meant it all. Kinda like a test lol. I came home one day with a couple snakes without ever mentioning it to my dad, and he said that since I was working and making my own money, it's my decision on what to spend it. But, now that I've got so many, I've got to pay the electricity bill because of my space heater and then all of the heat pads, etc. lol.

And if you're worried about getting a yearling or a bigger BP, just go buy a smaller tub, and when you see that bigger ball, picture the small tub and walk away :D

I though about that last night. He's sick right now,so Im going to wait until later in the week to bring it up. I also have 1 fish from when I was like 7 that's still alive and kicking. Im trying to get my friend to take it for his community tank. That'll get rid of the annoying water sound in my room and the little extra cost of running it. I wish my dad was like that. I told him I'd give him some money towards the bill! Oh well. We'll see how it turns out. If it doesnt end good I'll eventually turn into a 3 year old over time and beg! :bow: J/k

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Originally Posted by Herpnut

If it doesnt end good I'll eventually turn into a 3 year old over time and beg! :bow: J/k

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:D:D :gj: best of luck!

haha you sound like me as a kid! I was always trying to bring new animals home, but unfortunately my house was always too small. Then finally we moved and now things are different, but I got some tips for you. First, like you said, try to down size the collection. Maybe part with something you don't want. Second, really sit down with him, and talk responsibly. Don't get all excited when he starts to say no, cuz it will happen. I'm pretty sure he isn't worried about the electric, probably costs like 5 doallars a month tops lol. Just be patient give him some time to think it over, and have sometime to not be getting nagged at lol.

But yeah, you might want to look into a few more things before you get your snake. One thing is the temp of your home, cuz that is a bit cool. Ambient temperature is pretty important with these guys, and if you can't keep it above 75 you might run into porblems down then line. Having the flexxwat on both sides might not work without setting the other side at 90 or so as well...you'd be surprised to how little UTH's do in regards to ambient temp. Look into a space heater for your room, but again costs of running something like that might be something your father is against. I know I was having this same probelm, cuz thats what my home runs at, I keep them in my bedroom, and I have a space heater right in front of their tubs. Besides rasing the temp in the room, insulating is the only other method your gonna have.

Another thing to express to your dad is the maitenece involved for BP's really isn't that much...People on here might disagree with me, but honestly I don't think it is that hard. As long as you do plenty of research you will be fine. Cleaning is simple, feeding is easy, and cheap for the most part, and after you have all the supplies it's pretty much smooth sailing. Just stay on this website in case you run into problems though, cuz everyone is very helpful on here. Also ball's are a great begginer snake due to their docile nature. Maybe he thinks its some big snake thats just going to end up being a head ache because it won't be tame or something.

Also, go with a baby my friend. It really is fun watching them grow and if your going with bins its not like you going to be spending lots of money on enclosures, get a 15qt for the hatchling, and bump it up to a 32 qt once they get bigger and so on. Another act of good measure would be to set the tank up prior to your purchase. You don't want to be running into temp/humidity problems while you have your snake, best to have all that worked out before hand. If you wanna see my tubs and how I got everything set up, let me know dude, I'll be happy to help!

Good Luck!!

~Alex

What kind of thermostat were you planning to use to control the flexwatt? It can get extremely hot if it is not controlled. If you're going to run flexwatt on both sides of the tub you're going to need to have a thermostat for each side.

lmao dude that is exactly what i was just gonna write !! Soooo weird!!! But yeah man, thermostats are deffinately a MUST with them. When I got my snake, I used a rheostat at first, but they really are a pain. If the temp in your room fluxuates a lot then, there really not a good idea. Actually, dont get one period. Just get a thermostat. But something you should know before buying one. BEWARRE OF IDIOTS! There really aren't too mant pet shops around me that sell thermostats, or even know what they are. Chances are if you go to petco, petsmart, or something like that, and you ask for a thrermostat, they will most likely bring you to the thermometers. Order online, and buy one that is worth a damn, don't waste your money on piece of crap ones. Also!!! When you buy thermometers, buy the one from walmart that is three in one. Its a hygro, a thermo, and probe thermo as well. So you get your ambient temps, hot side temps, and your humidity levels all on one thermo, 11 bucks too, cant beat it!!

Thank you! I was planning on getting 2 Ranco thermostats from reptile basics.The ambient temp was also something was trying to figure out. I have my leopard gecko cage on one of those wire shelves. The space over it is clear and it is noticably warmer on the top when I put my hand up there. Im thinking that will bump the ambient temp up to where it needs to be.

Hi, well your passionate and sound dedicated! As you have already got a good collection of Exotic pets, your Dad sounds quite cool in his defence, some parents won't even allow their kids any pets .full stop,and a lot of parents would rule out snakes, spiders etc because of the usual fears and misconceptions that ppl have towards anything they don't understand, so your a lot luckier than some. My mum would not let me have a motorbike , i wanted a motorcrosser, ..even now as an adult, she says that she'll disown me if i ever get a bike:colbert:!!!

Hope you get your python sometime soon, i have a norm and a bumblebee.speaking of wanting things badly...my rep shop has a scrub python for sale for £150 (cheap)...my fav snake ever!! but i know im not experienced enough or have the room for a snake that may get to 11ft................BUMMER!!!!:taz:

It doesnt looke like Im getting one any time soon guys. My mom knew I wanted one before X-mas and she just told me how they were arguing becasue she was going to take me the the Maryland expo to get one and my dad wouldnt let her. He told her flatout he doesnt like them, I have enough, and I dont need anymore. If she couldnt get him to give in there's no way I will. He's still sick so I've not talked to him yet. Honestly, I dont think he'll take it seriously anyway. She said he just laughed when she told him i want a BP. Oh well guys, I'll see what he has to say to me when he feels better. :(

Goodluck, hopefully sooner or later he will let you get one just hopefulyy sooner than later, lol. In the mean time do a ton of research :)

My sons are lucky they have a reptile nut for a dad,wish thye had the passion like you do,they had some good deals at the maryland shoe Jim shockis (sorry if I butcherd ur name Jim) had males for $20 he ha sreal nice animals.

Ah thats a shame u cant have a Ball, tell him they don't stink like corns do. Well u have tried the dipomatic approach.........seeing as he is still in his sickbed, u could try the more persuasive Kathy Bates method she used in "Misery"....a block of wood and a sledghammer!!! He would agree to a ball python after a while!:O

Im joking, please DONT torture your dad!:colbert:

lol just a little payback! If I was as stubborn as him I would have had one by now, with or without his approval. Believe it or not my mom it starting to like them. I needed to get aspen for the corns last night at petsmart. I thought she went off to look at the rodents but when I turned the corner she was staring at a BP comming up to the glass. She said these little guys are a lot more personable than the snakes at home, he's pretty cute! lol Oh well, that means I'll have more time to stick around here and obsorb all the info possible.

When my mum first found out i had snakes,(snakesitting a corn and BP for a friend who never returned for them!) she looked a little concerned. Now she talks to them in a stupid voice. My dad was just warming to them until my bumblebee tagged me last week (my fault, still had rat smell on fingers from nite before) Now he's a little wary when he comes near him!

get your mum on side, and dad will cave in over time...slowly slowly..catchy monkey (well snakey)

my favorite quote:
"there is only one thing better than knowing the sheriff and thats knowing his wife!"

:cool:

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Originally Posted by nixer

my favorite quote:
"there is only one thing better than knowing the sheriff and thats knowing his wife!"

:cool:

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Thats a good one!

We're going to the Maryland show next Sat., but I'm still not getting one. I need some mice that they usually have there and maybe I'll get a chance to handle a BP or two that I like. I'll get some breeder names anyway. Anyone else going? I know it's a small show.

Just stick to your guns but don't get annoying about it. Show your dad that you really want one and will care for it correctly. Read ball python books in front of him, watch shows on animal planet about them, and etc. I recently got into ball pythons this year and I will have to say this is the easiest animal I've ever had for taking care of. First time set up is kinda rough but after that as long as your temps and humidity is right everything else is clear sailing. Ask your dad to sit down with you and discuss it like Adults (even though you might not be an adult). Show him the forum and what you're finding out on the site. I'm sure everyone here will help you out the best we can.

Dude I really feel bad for you. You seem real passionate about wanting one and seem to be doing your research. I hope your dad comes around. I'd almost say as long as your moms onboard, set one up in your room and hope it blends right in with all your other herps. They really are awesome pets and extremely docile. My 2 year old little girl has no fear of them and shouldn't because as of yet none of my snakes has ever thought about striking anyone. I can put my finger right on their head, in front of their face, etc and the most i ever got was a tounge flicker and glide right on to my hand. (not that i am trying to irritate them, or trying my luck, just want to point out that they really pay no mind to anything that doesn't smell like food or is threatening)

I hope it works out for you, Good luck!

Thanks! That's one of the reasons I like them so much. One of my corns are also like that. I've had her ever since she was 2 months old (3 yrs now) and I think she trusts me a lot more than the other becasue of that. I really want to get a baby BP and do the same thing.