New Guy from Jersey

Hello everyone. My name is Shawn. I just got my first snake a few hours ago, and im looking forward to learning and sharing info.

Here is a few Pictures of Bertha

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...332000/131.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...332000/132.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...332000/133.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...332000/134.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...332000/135.jpg


i know its a ball python, but thats about all the info i have on it....anyone want to share?

Well, Shawn, welcome! And hello to Bertha too. Is that short for Big Bertha? -lol- She (or he?) is a young, normal ball python. Looks like a slightly more busy pattern. I love the busy ones. :P

You are on the right track with the bedding and her tank size. However, there are a few things you'll need to do to keep her happy. It's easier to fix things earlier rather than later, so I suggest you look here: http://ball-pythons.net/modules/Sect...warticle&id=59 to get info on everything you'll need for a proper set-up.

Most importantly, you'll need to give her more places to hide. Ball pythons are known for refusing to eat if they are not happy, and in the wild they live in small mouse burrows. They like to be covered on all sides, and completely hidden. Most people will give them plastic bowls or pots turned upside down to hide in. There's a ton of things you can use.

Also, if the tank has a screen top then all of the humidity from her water bowl is just going right out the top. In order for her to shed her skin properly (they do it about once a month) she'll need at least 50% humidity. The best way to do this is to cover 3/4 of the screen with aluminum foil, plastic, anything that will prevent moisture from getting through. There are directions on how to do this in the care sheets.

You'll need to get a digital thermometer and hydrometer to measure the temperatures and humidity. Most people use a brand called Accurite, which you can get at Walmart for $13. It's in the outdoor temp gauge section. It will measure the hot side of the tank and the cold side at the same time, AND measure your humidity. It's the best.

Finally, if you're using a heat lamp to warm the tank, I highly recommend switching to an under-the-tank heat source for a variety of reasons. Do a quick search around the site for the subject, and you'll see that there are many benefits to under-tank heating.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I know it's a lot to take in all at once, but Bertha (and you) will be much less stressed if you make these small changes right away.

All the best to you and Bertha!

:welcome:

welcome man...nice lookin normal...i'm from jersey too...what part you from?

Welcome to the group :gj:

Welcome aboard! & congratulations! She is a big beauty.

I just got back from visiting family in Bordentown and Belle Mead. They're all scared of snakes. And we were only showing pictures! Glad to know it's not a Jersey thing. LOL.

Welcome!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mindibun

Well, Shawn, welcome! And hello to Bertha too. Is that short for Big Bertha? -lol- She (or he?) is a young, normal ball python. Looks like a slightly more busy pattern. I love the busy ones. :P

You are on the right track with the bedding and her tank size. However, there are a few things you'll need to do to keep her happy. It's easier to fix things earlier rather than later, so I suggest you look here: http://ball-pythons.net/modules/Sect...warticle&id=59 to get info on everything you'll need for a proper set-up.

Most importantly, you'll need to give her more places to hide. Ball pythons are known for refusing to eat if they are not happy, and in the wild they live in small mouse burrows. They like to be covered on all sides, and completely hidden. Most people will give them plastic bowls or pots turned upside down to hide in. There's a ton of things you can use.

Also, if the tank has a screen top then all of the humidity from her water bowl is just going right out the top. In order for her to shed her skin properly (they do it about once a month) she'll need at least 50% humidity. The best way to do this is to cover 3/4 of the screen with aluminum foil, plastic, anything that will prevent moisture from getting through. There are directions on how to do this in the care sheets.

You'll need to get a digital thermometer and hydrometer to measure the temperatures and humidity. Most people use a brand called Accurite, which you can get at Walmart for $13. It's in the outdoor temp gauge section. It will measure the hot side of the tank and the cold side at the same time, AND measure your humidity. It's the best.

Finally, if you're using a heat lamp to warm the tank, I highly recommend switching to an under-the-tank heat source for a variety of reasons. Do a quick search around the site for the subject, and you'll see that there are many benefits to under-tank heating.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I know it's a lot to take in all at once, but Bertha (and you) will be much less stressed if you make these small changes right away.

All the best to you and Bertha!

---

Wow that is a lot of information, but i really need all the info i can get. I have One hiding place for her...Its a tree that you would find in a fish tank..Its just enough room for her to crawl in and curl up. I was looking at the heating pads at petsmart, so ill run out and pick one of those up. Would i still use the heating lamp for the hot side, or would the heating pad work for the whole tank?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rmune0750

welcome man...nice lookin normal...i'm from jersey too...what part you from?

---

Im from central Jersey....IN North Plainfield.....

Welcome! =)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by echs332000

Wow that is a lot of information, but i really need all the info i can get. I have One hiding place for her...Its a tree that you would find in a fish tank..Its just enough room for her to crawl in and curl up. I was looking at the heating pads at petsmart, so ill run out and pick one of those up. Would i still use the heating lamp for the hot side, or would the heating pad work for the whole tank?

---

First of all, I'd like to welcome you, Shawn and Bertha. It's great to see new members coming in.

You don't need to over spend at Petsmart. I can help you save a lot of money. Not all of us have $100s of dollars to waste. -Smiles.- http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...ble-and-rocks/

You'll probably save about eight bucks a pop on each of these online as opposed to Petsmart. AND...when in doubt? just ask. As far as hides are concerned? I actually picked up some really great hides from Lowe's. They're these little bins that you can get in black or yellow(BRIGHT yellow), they've already got openings for the snakes to get in and out.


And one more thing...she's ADORABLE! I definitely love the busy patter she's sporting.

Congrats on your first pickup, she's a cutie...

I don't know about the products available in that link, but if you go that route, make sure there is some sort of temperature control on the product. Something that will shut it off if it gets too hot. A lot of people will use a light dimmer from Home Depot or somewhere similar, but, to me, that is far too complicated to even mess with.

I only have two snakes that need heat, and I opted to purchase a product called Flex-watt from reptilebasics dot com. Flex-watt is a paper-thin heating element that was originally designed for heating tile in houses. It gets very, very hot if you just plug it in and walk away, so you have to purchase a thermostat to control the temperature. I have a Ranco brand device, which works really well. Altogether I think it cost me about $200. That's expensive, but I have no worries as to the temperatures of my snakes' cages.

There are certainly ways to get the job done for less money, but I happened to have the cash at the time, and it was worth the peace of mind, in my opinion, to spend a little more and then never have to worry about it again.

*** To answer your original question, no. Generally when you are using an under-the-tank heat source, it provides enough warmth that you can do away with the over head lamp. Which is great, because they just eat up all the humidity anyway.

Thanks, mindi.

http://reptilebasics.com/Ultratherm-...p-1-c-273.html

http://reptilebasics.com/Thermostats-p-1-c-250.html

That'll definitely help. ^_^ Ironically, on another forum, I was asking someone if they had the thermostat for the UTH. I just woke up. Go Mel!