new! and a small critical question!

Hey! my name is Itai Ben Amram I moved to NJ a year and a half ago.
I lived in Israel where I raised 3 snakes: albino corn snake, king California and Thamnophis Butleri.
Last Thursday April 16th I got my new baby ball python and here is my question:
my ball python is in a 38 gallon reptarium just like this: http://www.reptilesupply.com/product...roducts_id=305
now I know this cage is not for snakes.. and my question is if this is going to harm my snake?
in the cage I putted some plants it has 2 hides a water dish and in the hot side under the hiding place my snake has a heating mat.
above the cage there are two lights one ceramic and another one that I don't remember the name.
the temperature and humidity are good I keep it between 82-86 at the morning through the afternoon and 79-82 at night there is usually 45% humidity and I can easily raise it to between 50%-60%

My snake at first didn't come out I assumed because of the long trip but in the past few days exactly between 8-10 pm he comes out and explores his cage.

now this is the details of my cage if you need a picture no problem just tell me!
I hope I'm not abusing the little fellow and I'm trying to do my best so he will have a good time.

please! give me your opinion about my cage! and If I did something wrong please give me some tips on how I can fix it!

sorry about the long message and thank you everyone!

p.s here's my ball python :)
http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...m/IMG_0460.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...m/IMG_0459.jpg

I took it the day I got him :)

First of all, welcome to the site!
I would say the biggest concerns for me right off the bat are that humidity would be pretty tough to get right long term with that cage and overhead ceramic heater since most of it will disappear pretty quickly(I would think)
The other is that snake sometimes rub their enclosures and that meshy screenlike material would cause some pretty bad nose rubs vs. glass or plastic. I'm sure others will chime in as well. I've never used that type of enclosure for a snake, so I don't know from first hand experience. Good luck with him!

If that cage is made completely of screen like I think it is, it will not hold humidity and heat well. I would suggest a glass reptile terrarium, a 20 gal will suffice for a baby BP. the temps at night can drop lower, in the mid 70s. Be sure to provide a secure hide box on both the warm and the cool side so your snake can regulate its body tempature.
Good luck with your new snake, and welcome to the site. I'm sure you will get a lot of useful information here.

I don't see a problem with is..

If you can keep the hot side in the low 90s and the cool side around 80* it really doesn't matter.

Make sure you're measuring with a reliable thermometer though...

well for now the humidity is not my biggest problem, and well the outside is not that rough I mean I don't know if it will hurt him and I hope not!

Get youself some type geico for that cage and pick up a 20 gal glass reptile cage for your bp. Set it up just like the one you have now minus the CHE.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

I don't see a problem with is..

If you can keep the hot side in the low 90s and the cool side around 80* it really doesn't matter.

Make sure you're measuring with a reliable thermometer though...

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sorry about the double post..
I'm getting a temp gun that my cousin which is raising for about 15 year snakes he has a quite big collection in his home of about 70-80 snakes.. so he recommended me this http://www.proexotics.com/store/prod...cat=248&page=1 and I'll be getting it around Friday then I'll check the temps more closely.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FatBoy

Get youself some type geico for that cage and pick up a 20 gal glass reptile cage for your bp. Set it up just like the one you have now minus the CHE.

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I dunno if I can get a geico I just got my ball and my parents were freaked.. but I can buy the 20 gallon cage and sell this one on ebay or someplace else..
but another question is if this is really critical to do it right now? or can I wait a little bit longer?

Well as others have said, humidity will at some point become a problem with that kind of enclosure. Geckos and chameleons do much better in completely screened enclosures.

What are you measuring your humidity and temps with? I would also really like to see a picture of your current setup :)

it looks like this:

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...n/IMG_0469.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...n/IMG_0468.jpg

and if it will be a problem I would like to solve it..
do you know any good supplier who sells this 20 gal cages for a good price?

That is a pretty good setup, but not really for a ball python.

If you would like a cheap housing alternative, may I suggest...Plastic housing!!
here is a great how to: http://ball-pythons.net/modules/Sect...warticle&id=40

ahhh I didn't want to hear that :( but thanks!
hmm I don't know about that plastic housing.. I mean I can make it.. but my real question is it necessery to do it now? or can I wait a little bit longer? so I will be able to find something better in a cheap price.. (50-80$ I hope)

You can get one at a pet store for $30 or so. You have everything else you need. Do away with the dial guages and get an acurite from WalMart, digital, $12, will work better for you.

yea I was planning to do it this week.. I hope I'll be able to do it as fast as can! and I'll try to find the cage.. if someone can help me I'll be really greatful!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ItaiBenAmram

ahhh I didn't want to hear that :( but thanks!
hmm I don't know about that plastic housing.. I mean I can make it.. but my real question is it necessery to do it now? or can I wait a little bit longer? so I will be able to find something better in a cheap price.. (50-80$ I hope)

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Your ball python will live in that enclosure, but chances are he won't have a complete shed. You can keep him in there temporarily but I wouldn't keep him in there long. You might as well just get the move over with as soon as possible.

The nice thing about plastic housing is that you can do an entire setup for under $50.
As Fatboy said, invest in a digital thermometer and humidity reader. They are a million times more accurate :)

iight I'll try to move him as fast as possible I'll talk with my parents about it maybe we will be able to slove it quickly :)
thanks though I'll keep you updated on what's happening!

If you are looking for a deal on a glass tank then Craigslist can be your friend. You can almost always find a good price on one there. If not, Walmart carries them and you can pick up an Accurite at the same time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by waltah!

If you are looking for a deal on a glass tank then Craigslist can be your friend. You can almost always find a good price on one there. If not, Walmart carries them and you can pick up an Accurite at the same time.

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hmm I never used this Craigslist site.. hope I can handle it and find something..
but thanks!

hey guys a quick question..
after a long search I found this
http://eastcoastpetsupply.net/CRITTE...850.html&bc=no
what do you think about that