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New Ball Python, am I on the right track for his setup and care?
Long story short, I'd been planning on getting a leopard gecko for most of this year. I had the tank ready and was prepared to get one at my city's reptile expo.
...Then I held a bp and I fell in love. I knew the basics of bp husbandry, and when I got home with my little one I made the necessary changes to the tank (that I could on such short notice) and went online to make sure I had the right ideas for temps, enclosure setup, etc.
First off, here's a photo of Viago's enclosure:
.
Here are the details:
24 x 18 x 12 exo terra (I've read he'll likely need a size upgrade as he grows, open to suggestions and opinions on that!)
Exo terra heat mat controlled by a jumpstart thermostat set to 91. The thermostat probe reads 91 and the in-tank digital thermometer (zoo-med brand) reads 89-91 as the thermostat adjusts.
Ambient temp around 80
Cool side around 80-81
Red light 75w over the tank as I live in a basement in Canada . I was kind of coerced into buying this over a che by the petstore guy :/
Two hides
Water bowl (about as big as Viago when he balls up)
All sides (except the front) are covered to ensure security. I have styrofoam and tinfoil covering most of the screen top to maintain humidity. Currently using an exo terra hygrometer which reads at about 50-60% with twice daily spraying (where I live is quite dry)
There are definitely things that need some changing. The substrate is currently a half-inch or so of aspen shavings overtop of zoo--med exacavator clay. As this was intended for a leo, the clay was already in place. I will be replacing this once Viago settles in as I know the clay is not at all necessary or useful to a bp. I'm thinking cypress mulch over aspen, as, like I said, my house/location is generally quite dry. Will the clay be a problem until he's more comfortable in his new tank, or will it be alright to leave in for a few weeks?
His hides are more or less first and foremost for me in terms of what needs to go. That half-log thing is waay too big for him at his size and too open. At the moment, he curls up under the fake flowers and between a few decorative rocks. I plan to get two identical hides that will give him a much more snug place to curl up on his hot and cool sides. I'm thinking the overturned plant pots mentioned in the stickies on this forum. Any other recs?
I havent handled him at all save for transporting him into his enclosure from the expo and weighing him. He comes in at 84g. The breeder was feeding f/t rat pups, which seem to align with the width of the largest part of his body rule. I'm seeing here that at this size a lot of keepers feed mice instead, would it be worth trying to switch or should I keep him on what the breeders fed? I haven't fed him yet as it's only been about five days since I purchased him.
I appreciate all advice and constructive criticism. I know this sounds like an impulse buy because...well, it kind of was. But I did know the basics of bp care beforehand and I've done nothing but research it in the five days since. I want the best for this little one and I'm open to changing just about everything to make sure he lives a full, healthy life with me
- Melissa - instagram @perkyjawa
1.0 pastel het pied ball python - Viago
1.0.1 crested geckos - Poe & Wicket
2.0 fire-bellied toads - Malgus & Morgoth
0.1 kitty cat - Wanda
1.0 german shepherd - Sarge
1.0 bichon shihtzu - Roscoe
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Well, you seem to be doing quite well so far. You certainly have done your research and you know what the temps and humidity should be like.
Good going on the thermostat and on monitoring everything.
Make sure that any "in tank" thermometers aren't the "stick on" type. You do NOT want ANY sort of tape or adhesive inside of the tank. They will fail in time, fall off and then your snake can crawl over it and get stuck on it. Which never ends well.
I would remove the clay. You don't want a huge amount of substrate over the UTH. And clay packs tightly, probably doesn't let a lot of the heat through. And if your BP manages to burrow underneath of it, all that heat will be concentrated under the clay and it may be to hot. You also do NOT want your BP to get a mouthful of clay while feeding. Again, it packs. It could cause an impaction. Removing the snake out of the cage for feeding is really not recommended at all, either.
As for substrate, since you have to change it anyway, why not just go to some sort of "coco" bedding, like herptopia, repti chips, or any other coco bedding. It will hold humidity far better when misted and it won't mold like heavily misted Aspen will.
Yes, you need smaller hides. You already know that I would get everything ready one day, and then make all changes all at once and then put the snake back in. Its stressful, but might as well get it over with. After all the changes keep an eagle eye on the temps and make sure everything stays on the up and up. Let the baby relax into the new environment for a few days and then attempt to feed.
If your baby is already on F/T rat pups, you are a step ahead !! I would not go back to mice. They will sometimes end up refusing rats if you feed mice to long, and then you have an adult Ball Python that needs 4 or 5 mice, rather then one medium rat. Its just a pain...imho.
Good for you to darken the sides, back and top. You really have done your research
Congrats on your new baby
Zina
0.1 Super Emperor Pinstripe Ball Python "Sunny" 0.1 Pastel Orange Dream Desert Ghost Ball Python "Luna" 0.1 Pastel Desert Ghost Ball Python "Arjanam" 0.1 Lemonblast Enchi Desert Ghost Ball Python "Aurora" 0.1 Pastel Enchi Desert Ghost Ball Python "Venus" 1.0 Pastel Butter Enchi Desert Ghost Ball Python "Sirius" 1.0 Crested Gecko ( Rhacodactylus ciliatus) "Smeagol"
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." - Antoine de Saint-ExupÈry
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Thank-you for the advice! I actually already have some coco husk/chips on hand from a package deal I got for my cresties ages ago (it came with coco husk, coco fibre, and forest moss, and I don't use the chip/bark-type bedding for my cresteds), so knowing I can use that makes things even easier. I was worrying a bit about him possibly burrowing into the clay, but the excavator clay hardens up quite a bit and I don't think he'd be able to nuzzle in. Regardless, I'm getting it out as soon as possible lol.
I can get the new hides tomorrow, meaning I'd be able to switch everything out over the weekend and have Viago on proper substrate with two new hides. However, I did plan on trying to feed monday evening. Should I wait on changing his enclosure till a few days after I feed?
Edit: Also should mention the in-tank thermometers I have are both zoo-med digital readouts, one on the hot side and one on the cool side. The hot side is currently sitting in that giant half-log and the cool side probe is measuring the ambient temp, it's wrapped around one of the decorative branches about an inch and a half off the floor. I've read that probe placement, especially on the hot side, is important in accurately measuring temps. Should I move the probes at all?
Last edited by honeybee; 09-22-2017 at 11:42 PM.
- Melissa - instagram @perkyjawa
1.0 pastel het pied ball python - Viago
1.0.1 crested geckos - Poe & Wicket
2.0 fire-bellied toads - Malgus & Morgoth
0.1 kitty cat - Wanda
1.0 german shepherd - Sarge
1.0 bichon shihtzu - Roscoe
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Re: New Ball Python, am I on the right track for his setup and care?
Okay, temps and humidity sound good. I'm not sure what type of thermometer/hydrometer the exoterra is but if it's an analog one I would replace it, they are crazy inacurite and digital are much more reliable. I'm not sure about the clay but I would replace the substrate with cypress or the coconut mulch or something like that for humidity, aspen molds easier with spraying and doesnt hold humidity well I've heard. Adding some moss and putting a damp rag on top of the hot hide will help with humidity as well.
The pot would be good, I also would recommend the reptile basics hides as they are quiet nice and cheap but you do have to pay for shipping and wait for them so it's up to you. Just make sure you get a hide that fits him snuggly and move up in size as he grows, they like to feel really secure. To help him feel better in the meantime you can put some paper towels or newspaper in the hides and cover of the back of the log with either papers towels or those little plants you have
Rat pups are totally fine. There isn't really too much difference in the two other then size really but it's generally better to get them on rats as soon as you can as when they are older and bigger it would take mulitiple mice to make the meal one day would and some snakes will get on mice and never want to switch to rats.
I think I touched on all the questions, also wanted to say welcome! Also don't worry, I was originally planning on getting a crested gecko until I met my first ball python and fell in love then all plans changed! As long as you do you research (Which it seems you have) and do everything to give the animal a good life then you'll be fine! You've come to a great place to learn
Edit: Oops looks like Zina beat me to the punch! Lol
Sent from my LG-D690 using Tapatalk
Last edited by BluuWolf; 09-22-2017 at 11:41 PM.
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Just wait...before you know it, you'll have two.
Then just one more.
And then..well, the rest is history LOL
Zina
0.1 Super Emperor Pinstripe Ball Python "Sunny" 0.1 Pastel Orange Dream Desert Ghost Ball Python "Luna" 0.1 Pastel Desert Ghost Ball Python "Arjanam" 0.1 Lemonblast Enchi Desert Ghost Ball Python "Aurora" 0.1 Pastel Enchi Desert Ghost Ball Python "Venus" 1.0 Pastel Butter Enchi Desert Ghost Ball Python "Sirius" 1.0 Crested Gecko ( Rhacodactylus ciliatus) "Smeagol"
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." - Antoine de Saint-ExupÈry
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Re: New Ball Python, am I on the right track for his setup and care?
Originally Posted by BluuWolf
Edit: Oops looks like Zina beat me to the punch! Lol
Sent from my LG-D690 using Tapatalk
Well, great minds think alike
Zina
0.1 Super Emperor Pinstripe Ball Python "Sunny" 0.1 Pastel Orange Dream Desert Ghost Ball Python "Luna" 0.1 Pastel Desert Ghost Ball Python "Arjanam" 0.1 Lemonblast Enchi Desert Ghost Ball Python "Aurora" 0.1 Pastel Enchi Desert Ghost Ball Python "Venus" 1.0 Pastel Butter Enchi Desert Ghost Ball Python "Sirius" 1.0 Crested Gecko ( Rhacodactylus ciliatus) "Smeagol"
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." - Antoine de Saint-ExupÈry
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Re: New Ball Python, am I on the right track for his setup and care?
Originally Posted by honeybee
Long story short, I'd been planning on getting a leopard gecko for most of this year. I had the tank ready and was prepared to get one at my city's reptile expo.
...Then I held a bp and I fell in love. I knew the basics of bp husbandry, and when I got home with my little one I made the necessary changes to the tank (that I could on such short notice) and went online to make sure I had the right ideas for temps, enclosure setup, etc.
First off, here's a photo of Viago's enclosure:
.
Here are the details:
24 x 18 x 12 exo terra (I've read he'll likely need a size upgrade as he grows, open to suggestions and opinions on that!)
Exo terra heat mat controlled by a jumpstart thermostat set to 91. The thermostat probe reads 91 and the in-tank digital thermometer (zoo-med brand) reads 89-91 as the thermostat adjusts.
Ambient temp around 80
Cool side around 80-81
Red light 75w over the tank as I live in a basement in Canada . I was kind of coerced into buying this over a che by the petstore guy :/
Two hides
Water bowl (about as big as Viago when he balls up)
All sides (except the front) are covered to ensure security. I have styrofoam and tinfoil covering most of the screen top to maintain humidity. Currently using an exo terra hygrometer which reads at about 50-60% with twice daily spraying (where I live is quite dry)
There are definitely things that need some changing. The substrate is currently a half-inch or so of aspen shavings overtop of zoo--med exacavator clay. As this was intended for a leo, the clay was already in place. I will be replacing this once Viago settles in as I know the clay is not at all necessary or useful to a bp. I'm thinking cypress mulch over aspen, as, like I said, my house/location is generally quite dry. Will the clay be a problem until he's more comfortable in his new tank, or will it be alright to leave in for a few weeks?
His hides are more or less first and foremost for me in terms of what needs to go. That half-log thing is waay too big for him at his size and too open. At the moment, he curls up under the fake flowers and between a few decorative rocks. I plan to get two identical hides that will give him a much more snug place to curl up on his hot and cool sides. I'm thinking the overturned plant pots mentioned in the stickies on this forum. Any other recs?
I havent handled him at all save for transporting him into his enclosure from the expo and weighing him. He comes in at 84g. The breeder was feeding f/t rat pups, which seem to align with the width of the largest part of his body rule. I'm seeing here that at this size a lot of keepers feed mice instead, would it be worth trying to switch or should I keep him on what the breeders fed? I haven't fed him yet as it's only been about five days since I purchased him.
I appreciate all advice and constructive criticism. I know this sounds like an impulse buy because...well, it kind of was. But I did know the basics of bp care beforehand and I've done nothing but research it in the five days since. I want the best for this little one and I'm open to changing just about everything to make sure he lives a full, healthy life with me
Great terrarium choice, I'm kind of a realist reptile keeper, you probably spent like 10-12 bucks on that big half log. There is no reason it can't go to use for your ball python. What you do is you pile up the substrate in it (add more substrate or some loose sphagnum moss if you have to) this will allow a tunneling area that the snake can feel secure in.
Second, you already bought the clay, I imagine you have more left over and probably don't wanna feel like you wasted that money either. You CAN use it with your ball python. Simply use it for a different purpose within the terrarium. Grade it front to back to give a higher platform for your substrate to offer an interesting view point of your terrarium. Its for looks but you can also make the same caves you might have planned for your leo. Ball Pythons live in areas with hard dirt as well so it's not out of the realm of "natural".
I've used just about every substrate available and can say that while aspen is nice, I consider dirt to be the best substrate, however using dirt requires extra skill with regards to micro fauna and all that crap. A happy medium that takes misting better is cypress mulch. It's not the most environmentally friendly substrate but it serves its purpose. Either way, you already bought the aspen and I'd say that adding a little more in general will allow for burrowing and increase the overall level of security your snake feels within the enclosure.
A heat pad isn't going to work with the clay on the ground but that red bulb is about worthless. I just saved you some money on your clay and log so use that money to grab a ceramic heat emitter. Always pair it with a thermostat in order to make sure it doesn't get too hot, for non complicated simple stupid thermostats I recommend the dial ones from big apple herp. An ambient of 78-81 is what your shooting for. If your snake desires a hot spot it will make an effort to get closer to the heat emitter. If so just add a log that allows it to get closer if it chooses to.
In regards to feeding width of the body rule works until it hits sub adult/adult level in my opinion. Then the weight becomes more important to avoid overfeeding issues.
Good luck with your new snake!
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Re: New Ball Python, am I on the right track for his setup and care?
Originally Posted by Jhill001
Great terrarium choice, I'm kind of a realist reptile keeper, you probably spent like 10-12 bucks on that big half log. There is no reason it can't go to use for your ball python. What you do is you pile up the substrate in it (add more substrate or some loose sphagnum moss if you have to) this will allow a tunneling area that the snake can feel secure in.
Second, you already bought the clay, I imagine you have more left over and probably don't wanna feel like you wasted that money either. You CAN use it with your ball python. Simply use it for a different purpose within the terrarium. Grade it front to back to give a higher platform for your substrate to offer an interesting view point of your terrarium. Its for looks but you can also make the same caves you might have planned for your leo. Ball Pythons live in areas with hard dirt as well so it's not out of the realm of "natural".
I've used just about every substrate available and can say that while aspen is nice, I consider dirt to be the best substrate, however using dirt requires extra skill with regards to micro fauna and all that crap. A happy medium that takes misting better is cypress mulch. It's not the most environmentally friendly substrate but it serves its purpose. Either way, you already bought the aspen and I'd say that adding a little more in general will allow for burrowing and increase the overall level of security your snake feels within the enclosure.
A heat pad isn't going to work with the clay on the ground but that red bulb is about worthless. I just saved you some money on your clay and log so use that money to grab a ceramic heat emitter. Always pair it with a thermostat in order to make sure it doesn't get too hot, for non complicated simple stupid thermostats I recommend the dial ones from big apple herp. An ambient of 78-81 is what your shooting for. If your snake desires a hot spot it will make an effort to get closer to the heat emitter. If so just add a log that allows it to get closer if it chooses to.
In regards to feeding width of the body rule works until it hits sub adult/adult level in my opinion. Then the weight becomes more important to avoid overfeeding issues.
Good luck with your new snake!
I was thinking about adjusting the half log to make it a bit cozier. I might give it a go before I implement the flower pot hides. I actually found two small ceramic pots I can use in my home, so it looks like I actually have everything I need to make some changes!
I was also considering this with the clay, as it is useful for 'landscaping'. Viago is in his cold side hide right now, which is actually a cave formed from the clay, so I'm not opposed to using it if theres no harm.
As far as the heatpad and clay, I should make it clear that the excavator clay is only on the cool side of the terrarium. On the hot side is just aspen shavings. From what I could find when I was preparing for my leo, excavator clay wasn't great at transferring heat, so I made sure not to use it on that side.
The only plus to the red bulb that I can gather is it looks cool lol. It's doing a good job of maintaining ambient and cold temps at the moment, but I'm definitely considering just saying screw it and getting the CHE I intended to pick up when I went into the store
Thank you for the advice and well wishes!
- Melissa - instagram @perkyjawa
1.0 pastel het pied ball python - Viago
1.0.1 crested geckos - Poe & Wicket
2.0 fire-bellied toads - Malgus & Morgoth
0.1 kitty cat - Wanda
1.0 german shepherd - Sarge
1.0 bichon shihtzu - Roscoe
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Just a quick update,
I fed little Viago today and he took his f/t rat pup like a champ. I'll be redoing his tank sometime around wednesday of this week. Will this be a long enough time to leave him after eating?
As far as what I'll be doing - removing the clay, as nice as the landscaping aspect of it can be, it's just kind of pointless for him right now and 100% coco husk will be a lot easier to deal with. I'll be taking out his log hide and replacing it with a turned over flower pot, which I intend to cover up with fake plants. An identical hide will be placed on his cool side. He isn't using the log at all, rather, he hides behind it (there's some moss balls and his flowers cover him up back there). Odds are more reptiles are inevitable in the future so at some point, the log will find it's permanent home lol.
Overall, I'm super thankful to everyone here for the help and advice! And of course, if anyone has any more input on anything I can improve on, I'm eager to hear it
- Melissa - instagram @perkyjawa
1.0 pastel het pied ball python - Viago
1.0.1 crested geckos - Poe & Wicket
2.0 fire-bellied toads - Malgus & Morgoth
0.1 kitty cat - Wanda
1.0 german shepherd - Sarge
1.0 bichon shihtzu - Roscoe
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The Following User Says Thank You to honeybee For This Useful Post:
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