First BP!

[matt95z]

After much research we finally got our first ball python today. I set up the vivarium this morning and we picked him/ger up this evening.

Pic is attached.

My main question is why won't it get off the log and go in one of the hides? The hides are not the log itself but actually a small bowl (large enough for it to get in comfortable) under the log. The hides on both sides are identical. The probes are placed on the glass above the UTH. The cool side reads 83 right now. The picture is of the warm side.

[starmom]

Cute snakey!!!
A couple of things...
-How big is the viv? It looks very large relative to the size of the snake.
-If you can cover the sides and back of the viv it would help to increase the snake's sense of security.
-The snake probably doesn't know where the hides are and doesn't know where he/she is!! Just give her/him some time to adjust before doing any holding of the snake!
Welcome to the forum and to the amazing world of herps!

[matt95z]

The tank is a 20L. I am going to be covering the back/sides tomorrow (need to get back to the store). There is no traffic in this room as it is a spare bedroom so I wasn't sure if covering was necessary or not but I relaized it can't hurt anything to do it.

[starmom]

I really think that it would allow the snake to believe that her world was a bit smaller!

[Basketball303]

Yeah, a little cover of the glass and it should be fine...right now it's probably pretty stressed from the travel, being in a new place. Snakes are very keen to their surroundings (new smell,look etc) so give it some time and enjoy the new adventure you've decided to take part in. Do you know if its a male or female?

[matt95z]

Back and sides have been covered as suggested. The viv looks much better now (camera is recharging so no pics just yet). Humidity is going to be an issue as we keep the heat pretty low (67 in the house) so to keep the ambient temps up I am using an overhead light. Right now I have some sphagnum moss in a bowl in the cage and I can keep it right at 50-52% humidity. Is this alright or should I get a small heater for the snake room and cover the viv where the light is? The top is screen w/plexiglass covering the areas on either side of the light.

Thanks
Matt

[matt95z]

Got a quick picture. Still working on getting the temps down a little bit.

[ohyeahnow]

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/..._humidity.jpeg
Here is how I keep my ambient temps and humidity up, and use a light. I have a uth but the light helps the temps rise quicker, and allows for nightime veiwing without bothering the snake(night bulb). Before taping the reflectix to the three glass sides I taped green construction paper to the glass.

[771subliminal]

good start but get rid of that light and get a uth it will help with the humidity alot

welcome to the forum and the adiction

Got a quick picture. Still working on getting the temps down a little bit.

[matt95z]

good start but get rid of that light and get a uth it will help with the humidity alot

welcome to the forum and the adiction

I have two UTH heaters on rheostats for now (thermostat coming next week).

I will try doing some insulation to help with the ambient temps.