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  1. #1
    Telling it like it is! Stewart_Reptiles's Avatar
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    Lightbulb Ball Python Care Guide / Shopping List / Tips and Tricks

    Care Guide

    Here are a few things to know about your new companion.

    First of all, Ball Pythons make great pets but you have to know what you are getting into and be willing to commit for 30 years or more and provide adequate husbandry, food, and vet care when necessary.

    Average Size: Hatchlings 10+ inches, adults 3 to 5 feet. (6 feet is not impossible but rare).

    Temperatures

    You will need to provide your Ball Python with a warm side between 88-90 F degrees and a cool side between 78-80 degrees.

    Humidity

    You should provide your Ball Python with a constant 50%-60% humidity level. This level can be increased to 70% during the shedding period if necessary.
    Feeding

    Young BP can be fed a prey slightly smaller than the girth size once every 5 to 7 days.

    Adults can be fed a small/medium rat (4 to 6 weeks old / 65-175 grams) or 3 to 5 mice (whichever work best and/or is more convenient for the keeper) once a week.

    Food size will depends on the animal size and sex with males requiring less food than females.

    Feeding Recommendations



    Remember if you chose to feed live you must always supervise feeding and never leave a prey unattended with your snake.

    Do not handle your Ball Python for the next 48 hours following feeding. If handle to soon after a meal this could lead to regurgitation.

    Supply Check list

    1 Enclosure

    Your enclosure should not be too big, the bigger the enclosure the more stress you will cause to your Ball Python, remember that in their natural environment they spend 80% to 90% of their time in a tight termite mount.

    You can use a glass tank; keep in mind that is you do it will be harder to control temperatures and humidity.

    If you get a baby you will only need a 5 to 10 gallons tank to start with and if you chose an adult a 30/40 gallons tank is all you will ever need. Use the rule of thumb: The enclosure should be 2/3 of the length of your Ball Python.

    A lot of people choose plastic tubs (Sterilite or Rubbermaid), which allow an easier control of the temperatures and humidity and make Ball Pythons feel secure.

    When it comes to plastic tubs here are the sizes you will need according to your Ball Python's size

    • Hatchling - 6 Quarts (14 1/2"L x 8"W x 4 5/8"H)
    • Juvies - 15 Quarts (17"L x 11 1/8"W x 6 3/8"H)  Adult Males - 32 Quarts (23 1/2"L x 16 1/4"W x 6 3/8"H)
    • Adult Females - 41 Quarts (34-3/4-Inch 16-1/2-by-6-Inch)


    (Remember you will need a drill or soldering wand to make holes for airflow)

    No matter which enclosure you choose remember to secure the lid as Ball Pythons are real escape artists.

    1 UTH (Under Tank Heater)

    Here are some products that will allow you to provide belly heat and achieve the required gradient temperatures in your enclosure: Ultratherm Heat Pads, T Rex Cobra Pads and Flexwatt Heat Tape (Unlike some others they do not stick permanently to the enclosure).

    1 Thermostat

    Regardless of the device you choose to provide heat you will need a thermostat, this will allow you to maintain proper temperatures and avoid over-heating.

    I would highly recommend you to invest in a digital thermostat such as Ranco ETC-111000 or Johnson on the lower end, or Herpstat Digital Proportional Thermostat, Vivarium Electronics or Helix on the higher end, they might seem expensive but they are worth it. Keep in mind that if you get a cheap thermostat like the ESU 1 outlet or 3 outlets starting at 25 dollars you will get what you paid for, considering how long your BP will live, you will want to invest in something durable, reliable and safe.

    2 Hides

    Provide one hide on each side of the enclosure. Ideal hides must be dark, tight (All sides touching your Ball Python's body) and identical so your Ball Python does not choose between security and thermo- regulation. In my opinion the best hides are ESU/Zilla Creature Cubbyholes.

    1 Water Dish

    Contrary to what many believe the water dish does not have to be big enough for your Ball Python to soak (Healthy, mite free BP rarely soak).

    1 Thermometer/Hygrometer

    When it comes to temperatures and humidity you cannot guess, you MUST know. (Avoid stick and dial devices as they are not accurate). To get an accurate reading I would recommend a digital device such as Acu-Rite Hygrometer/Thermometer that can be found at Walmart for 12$ or Zilla Terrarium Hygrometer/Thermometer, the purchase of a temp gun is also highly recommended.

    Substrate

    Here are some substrates that can be used in your BP's enclosure: Newspaper - Paper Towel – Aspen - Repti-bark - Cypress Mulch etc. DO NOT cedar bedding as they contain phenols that can be toxic to your snake.

    For the Full Downloadable/Printable Version please click here
    Last edited by Stewart_Reptiles; 01-28-2019 at 04:26 PM.
    Deborah Stewart


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  3. #2
    Telling it like it is! Stewart_Reptiles's Avatar
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    Product Recommendations

    Caging

    Racks

    https://cserpents.com/C_Serpents_Hot...K_SYSTEMS.html
    https://apcages.com/collections/ap-s...e-series-racks
    http://www.reptilebasics.com/reptile-rack-systems

    Cages

    https://apcages.com/pages/cages
    http://www.reptilebasics.com/reptile-cages/

    Glass Enclosures

    When it comes to glass enclosure, stay away from kits as they are either containing items that are un-necessary or missing the most important ones.

    https://www.zillarules.com/all-produ...s/critter-cage
    https://www.zillarules.com/all-produ...e-critter-cage

    Stand alone tubs

    For standalone tubs that can be used as temporary or permanent housing simply visit your local Walmart, Target, Home Depot or Lowes.

    Thermostats

    Here are some examples of great reliable thermostats that will last for years to come so even if the initial cost seems like a lot, please think long term as most inexpensive thermostat will only last two to three years, and reliable more expensive ones such as Herpstat or VE will last a decade or more.

    When it comes to Herpstat the Herpstat Intro + and Herpstat 1 will be your best choices as they provide added security features.

    https://www.spyderrobotics.com/index...=index&cPath=1

    When it comes to VE the VE 100 is a great choice

    http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats

    UTH

    For sturdy UTH I recommend Ultratherm they do not stick can be moved around and are very strudy making them ideal for standalone temporary or permanent enclosure 6x11 or 11x11 are great choices for smaller to definitive enclosures.

    http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat-pads

    Thermomether/Hygrometer

    https://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-00891...ter+with+probe

    https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lase...temp+gun&psc=1

    Hides

    http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes
    https://visionproducts.us/snake-bowls-hides.html
    https://www.zillarules.com/all-products/decor/rock-dens
    https://www.zillarules.com/all-produ...r/durable-dens

    Substrates

    https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...t?cm_vc=-10005
    https://prococo.com/
    http://www.reptichip.com/
    https://reptileprime.com/

    Water Dishes

    Keep in mind that when young any water dish will do however as they grow BP will require something heavy or with a large base to prevent water spills.

    https://www.chewy.com/ethical-pet-st...Bowls%20Diners (4.75 inches and over are ideal for larger Ball Python)
    https://www.petguys.com/-079441003130.html
    https://www.zillarules.com/all-produ...erraced-dishes
    https://visionproducts.us/snake-bowl...r-dish/es.html
    https://zoomed.com/repti-rock-corner-bowl/

    Also remember to check your local dollar store for bowls such as those https://www.dollartree.com/large-bla...g-bowls/186277 (perfect for larger individuals).

    Misc Equipment

    Cleaning Products

    http://www.reptilebasics.com/f10-products/
    https://www.amazon.com/Durvet-Chlorh...=chlorhexidine


    Feeding Tongs

    http://www.reptilebasics.com/tweezers-hemostats/


    Mite Killers

    http://pro-products.com/provent-a-mite/ (treats all stages from lice to adults)
    http://www.reptilebasics.com/mite-killers (will only treat the adult stage and can be applied on the snakes providing quick relief)

    If you have any questions or looking for more recommendation feel free to PM me.
    Last edited by Stewart_Reptiles; 01-28-2019 at 04:36 PM.
    Deborah Stewart


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  5. #3
    Telling it like it is! Stewart_Reptiles's Avatar
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    Tip, tricks and FAQ

    I just purchased a Ball Python, now what?

    Since BP are shy by nature it will take some time for your new companion to adjust to his new environment.

    Set him up in his enclosure and leave him alone for a wee, do not handle your snake during that week unless it is absolutely necessary.

    Once a week has passed offer food, if you are successful you will be able to handle your new companion 48 hours after his first meal, if you are not try again a week later keeping handling to a minimum.

    Why is my baby nippy?

    Remember that young BP can sometime be a little nippy; remember that they see you as predator. Younger BP might need a little time to adjust to their new surrounding as well as their new owner.

    Prior to handle your new snake make sure to observe his body language; if your new companion is in a striking position do not attempt to handle him.

    Always make him aware of your presence prior to handle him.

    Make sure your husbandry is optimum, establish a good feeding routine, feed your new BP in his enclosure and not outside, do not over handle your new companion and be patient.

    My ball python will not eat what should I do?

    First know that, as long as your BP does not lose too much weight he will be fine, second try to proceed by elimination to find out if there is anything that can be done so your BP resumes feeding.

    Check your temperature and make sure they are 78-80 on the cool side, 88-90 on the warm side; of course this means you must have an accurate reading provided by a digital thermometer/hygrometer.

    Check your humidity and make sure it is between 50%-60% Make sure that the enclosure is in a low traffic area.

    Make sure your enclosure is the appropriated size, an enclosure that is too big can be overwhelming, and can cause stress over time.

    Make sure your hides are tight enough so your Ball Python can snug in, all sides must be touching your BP's body (Avoid log hides as they do not really provide enough security for a Ball Python).

    If you handle your Ball Python often, try to limit handling (Too much handling can cause stress)

    Ball Pythons will also fast, to catch up if the prey they have eaten in the past were too big or if you fed them too often. Try feeding your Ball Python a prey slightly smaller than the girth size, once a week, and nothing bigger than a small rat (4 weeks old) for an adult BP. This will allow your Ball Python to feed with more consistency.

    Detailed trouble shooting that will help you getting your newly acquired hatchling or juvenile eating for you https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101

    Important:

    Keep in mind that Ball Pythons are not social creatures and do better when house individually.
    Deborah Stewart


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