adopted a ball python new here a bit scared

[exotica0095]

Hello

First id like to say ive always been a bit scared of a lot of snakes like if i see one in the wild i will usually stay away. That being said my brother has the sweetest most gentle snake and kinda dumped it on me cause he moved out the country. I have been playing with it a lot and i am really shocked to say that i really like him and want to keep him he will sit in my lap four hours and is really gentle and sweet.

He came in a 20 gallon tank with a heating bad and all that stuff i am a bit clueless when it comes to snake as i have never had one

He just got dropped off today and i was told he has been fed live mice is there any way i can change that and get him to eat frozen thawed mice? ?? I love the snake and all but i dont think i can handle feeding him a live mouse so i might have to rehome him which i really dont want to do so i am desperate here and was wondering how easy it would be to switch him?

[stevepoppers]

Well, the first thing I recommend is the caresheet stickied at the top of this forum and linked to on the front page. You want to make sure the snake is being cared for properly, regardless of how your brother was caring for it. The caresheet is information distilled from decades of breeding experience, so it IS an authority. Some people just seem to ignore the advice.

After you get him set up, let him sit for a week, then try to feed him. He ought to eat weekly, 10-15% of his body weight if he's under 2000 grams.

I don't really know much about the conversion. It ought to be doable. I think most feed F/T.

[moravaguy]

yeah check out the caresheet first.
get digital thermometers to watch temps, walmart sales one called accu-rite that does two temps and one humidity that would be good put the unit itself in one side to measure the temp over there and run the probe to the other side and the screen will display the temps and humity all in one place, as far as haveing it eat f/t, thaw you one out and try it, remember to heat it up a little with like a blow dryer but dont cook the thing, this simulates the warmth of a live rodent and has almost always worked for me. oh and did i mention CARESHEET!!!! it will save your snakes life. good luck and happy herping, oh and watch out i started with one and now i have 22 lol

[moravaguy]

oh yeah another way to tell the size you need is you can go buy the largest part of its body, a pic and weight in grams would be helpful

[exotica0095]

thanks but a new problem the heating pad is not heating up? its still really cold? Not sure what to do?

[moravaguy]

how long has it been pluged in? if it is broke you gonna have to go get a new one asap

[stevepoppers]

I vote Flexwatt. Even with shipping and the clips, it's far, far, cheaper. I bought from reptilesupply.com and they even put the clips on for me for free!

[exotica0095]

been plugged in about an hour? I am clueless not sure how fast they heat up ?

[moravaguy]

I vote Flexwatt. Even with shipping and the clips, it's far, far, cheaper. I bought from reptilesupply.com and they even put the clips on for me for free!

if you do flexwatt you must also get a thermostat or dimmer, if you go this way i can help you there also, but personally for one tank id just get a heat pad. zoo meds have very rarely let me down

[moravaguy]

an hour is long enough its shot