NEW TO FORUM. Just wanted to say Hi.

[MCKINLEYW]

Hey all. Kirk here just wanted in introduce myself. I recently returned to the ball python scene. I bred for a short period back i 2008-2011. Went through a divorce and left the bp life. My new GF has been asking me alot of questions about them and after some discussion we decided to get a few.
We started out the way I had back in my day (glass aquarium substrate, UTH, and heat lamp, red bulb) and soon realized that wouldn't work for us. So I built a rack and got a few sterilite tubs, heat tape and thermostats. We are now parents to 3 ball pythons. one Banana Mojave bought as a male idk though, one Black Widow female, and one Piebald male.

As soon as i can figure out image uploads, Ill share some pix.

[Michelle-07]

Hi and welcome! I'm also quite new in here, but already addicted. People in here are very friendly. I'm looking forward to see some of your pics

[MCKINLEYW]

Here is the rack I built.

[MCKINLEYW]

this is our blackwidow.



this is our banana mojave.



I dont have any pix of the piebald yet. He is a breeding size male... working on getting a black pastel het pied female breeding size as well maybe putting together come dec. and they both are up to weight and eating good with no signs of issues. Ill get more pix up some time soon.

[dakski]

Welcome Kirk!

Nice to know you've got some BP's and your life is back on track.

I went through a divorce several years ago and they are brutal. Thankfully, I kept my dogs and my reptiles; the ex only wanted money.

New fiancé, Katie (SunshineWalker on here) and a few more reptiles and dogs (she had 3 dogs, I had 2, and a lot of reptiles - now 5 dogs and 10 reptiles strong), and life is looking up. Hope things continue to improve for you and glad you are back in the reptile scene and on this forum.

[Bogertophis]

Welcome Kirk! Looks like you're off to a great re-start.

[Craiga 01453]

Welcome to the forum and back to the wonderful world of snake keeping.

I started out in 1999-2000ish and had to rehome my snakes a handful of years back, but fortunately I'm in a much better place in life and have gotten back into the hobby over the last few years. It's good to be back! And I'm happy for you that you're back as well.

[JRLongton]

Welcome!

You built that rack, eh? Nice work!

I see you got a Herpstat 4 also. That implies you are thinking of eventually expanding.

[MCKINLEYW]

Welcome!

You built that rack, eh? Nice work!

I see you got a Herpstat 4 also. That implies you are thinking of eventually expanding.

YES I am this rack will be a total of 4 shelves top 2 shelves will hold a total of 6-6qt sterilites for hatchlings. bottom 2 shelves hold 2-12qt or 1-28qt each shelf. each level will have its own probe. I am also designing a 4 tub adult rack "41qt" this will also have a probe on each level. Before i get to the 4 tub, I will be building a 2-41qt rack for quarantine. the company i work for uses alot of king starlite, so I am able to get some good sized scrap to use for these.

I have seen alot of people using thermostats in the middle of a tall rack and IDK I like to have control of each level to not have that gradient. expensive yes!! This is a lil by lil thing as I am by no means well off financially. Thanks for the warm Welcomes.

[MCKINLEYW]

So we did a thing this weekend and put a deposit down on a female kingpin paradox. no pix yet we will be picking her up next weekend after finishing to pay for her. I now have the snakes needed to make the BEL. Ive always been fascinated with them and now maybe in a few years may hatch one. the pairing will most likely be my banana mojave male to the kingpin female. IDK we shall see. ill post pix when i can.