Future owner with questions

[TheBallPython]

Wow, thanks for all the info everyone!

Generally a 10-15gal is recommended for hatchlings/yearlings, and a 20gal is sufficient for the rest of their life... some will go as big as 40, but it's not really necessary for a BP. Keep in mind, they often reside in termite mounds in the wild, so large open spaces can be intimidating. Go for a long/narrow tank, rather than a tall one, and fill it with stuff (branches, fake plants, etc) if there's empty space. As for the UTH, I think one is fine since they need one side to be warmer. If the ambient temp is still too cold, which is a problem I have with the glass tanks, you can add an overhead light - I use a ceramic. Good luck and have fun!! You know they are addictive, right??

Thanks I think I'm going to just start with a 20 to save the time/money on upgrading. Would a juvenile be ok in a 20 if it's filled? I also heard that overhead lights could zap humidity, how do you keep humidity levels up in a glass enclosure? And I've seen on this site how addictive they are, how long before one do you think I'll have another? lol.

In order to set a sufficient temp in case the tstat fails, you first plug the heat pads into their respective dimmers. Set them at a point where the hot side temp is about 95 and the cool about 85 (This may take a while.). Then, you can hook it up like Kaorte said.

This way, if the tstat fails in the open position, your dimmers will regulate the temps only up to 95 and 85 until you notice.

Thanks. I'm still not sure though exactly how it'd be hooked up. If the heating pads are plugged into a thermastat, how would you hook up the dimmer? Do heating pads have more than one hookup?

Being pretty new to the hobby myself there is a couple of things that i wish i never did and recomend not doing to someone else.

1. I have been to harve de grace personally and i took a coulple of friends there myself and I would say they are all pretty good breeders and produce good quality. I can recomend rick krimurae(how every you spell it) he occupies the far left back corner when you walk in the door... nice animals and you can talk to him on pricing. But harve dre grace is a small show and its pretty much always the same people there.

2.first i wouldnt buy a tank 10 easyer toi meet the reqirements in a tub cost is 90 better. all you would need is a drill or soder iron(recomended) from radio shack and you can make it great for you bp... (cost 20 tub and soder)

3.In my oppinion now that i have three the only true difference is length neither is really that mach bigger asto where the can harm you. it seems thats the worry with size... as far a bps what makes them seem bigger is girth that has to do with what you feed. So mom should have any worries with what you bring home. If you get a normal I'd say get a female if you do desided to expand a male would almost be usless in future breeding.

GOOD LUCK and dont forget to show us what you got!!!

Thanks for the info on the show! It sounds like I may find what I'm looking for there. Would they sell supplies I would need there too?

It'll still be a few months from now until I get him with a vacation coming up and my mother still "thinking about it". She's totally on board, she just has to say things like this because she's a mom. You would never guess I'm 20 yrs old.. god I need to graduate college, lol. Parent's house, parent's rules. But I will DEFINITELY be sharing when I do get him!

[mrshawt]

Thanks I think I'm going to just start with a 20 to save the time/money on upgrading. Would a juvenile be ok in a 20 if it's filled? I also heard that overhead lights could zap humidity, how do you keep humidity levels up in a glass enclosure?

Most people recommend starting with a 10g just so it won't stress the hatchling out. It won't really cost a lot to upgrade to a 20 in the future anyways, you'll find some on craigslist for $30.

Thanks. I'm still not sure though exactly how it'd be hooked up. If the heating pads are plugged into a thermastat, how would you hook up the dimmer? Do heating pads have more than one hookup?

pad > dimmer > tstat

If you have two pads, plug each dimmer (with pads plugged into them) into the two different plug inputs on your tstat. The pads aren't plugged into the tstat directly, they are plugged into the dimmers which go into the tstat.

[Lolo76]

Thanks I think I'm going to just start with a 20 to save the time/money on upgrading. Would a juvenile be ok in a 20 if it's filled?

I would recommend starting with a 10gal, since even if you fill it up, they might get stressed by the size. They really aren't expensive if you go used - like mrshawt mentioned, you can usually find them CHEAP (sometimes even free) on craigslist. The major expenses are in the lighting and heating, but the tank itself shouldn't cost much.

I also heard that overhead lights could zap humidity, how do you keep humidity levels up in a glass enclosure?

I have trouble regardless of the lighting with glass enclosures, so I've been using a little moistened moss to raise it. You can buy "reptile moss" of various types at the pet store - just soak a chunk in water, squeeze it out, and scatter around the tank. I did that the other day in Mona's tank, and it brought the humidity from 43 to 58 within minutes! Just make sure to change it out frequently, so it doesn't get moldy and stinky. Misting with a spray bottle works too, but only for a short time before it drops back down.

Btw, my pastel is in a fancy wooden (with glass doors) enclosure, and I find it a million times easier to manage temps and humidity... cost me $150, though, so it depends on how much you want to invest.

And I've seen on this site how addictive they are, how long before one do you think I'll have another? lol.

I give it a month... LOL. I got my first BP in late February, then waited a whole 3 months until May to get my second - the third followed a few weeks later, and I'm already planning the fourth. They are great animals!

[Lolo76]

Here's a picture of my wooden enclosure, so you can see what I'm talking about... I love this tank, but can't afford to have them for every snake! I got it at a local vivarium, and they offered to buy it back (at about 40% cost) when I'm ready to upgrade to a 20gal.

Ignore the guard-kitty on top, LOL... it's the only good shot I have of the tank!

[hoax]

OK here is my few cents...

1. Get your habitat set up and running for a few days (if not at least a week) so that you know what is happening before you get your new friend.

2. If you live in MD contact Adam Wysocki over at 8Ball Pythons. He has great animals and good prices. He is respected by almost all in the reptile community, if not it is because they are jealous!

3. I would go with a tub. I spent almost $500 on a cage enclosure and it is collecting dust. Tubs are quick and easy to maintain.

If you are wanting to have an animal you can watch and be mesmerized by look at something else.

If you want an BP to display get a tank. There is a great little how-to here

Hope this helps some.

Mike

[mrshawt]

I would recommend starting with a 10gal, since even if you fill it up, they might get stressed by the size. They really aren't expensive if you go used - like mrshawt mentioned, you can usually find them CHEAP (sometimes even free) on craigslist. The major expenses are in the lighting and heating, but the tank itself shouldn't cost much.



I have trouble regardless of the lighting with glass enclosures, so I've been using a little moistened moss to raise it. You can buy "reptile moss" of various types at the pet store - just soak a chunk in water, squeeze it out, and scatter around the tank. I did that the other day in Mona's tank, and it brought the humidity from 43 to 58 within minutes! Just make sure to change it out frequently, so it doesn't get moldy and stinky. Misting with a spray bottle works too, but only for a short time before it drops back down.

Btw, my pastel is in a fancy wooden (with glass doors) enclosure, and I find it a million times easier to manage temps and humidity... cost me $150, though, so it depends on how much you want to invest.



I give it a month... LOL. I got my first BP in late February, then waited a whole 3 months until May to get my second - the third followed a few weeks later, and I'm already planning the fourth. They are great animals!

This is an easier method, without the smell of swamp in your tank!

Both work, I just like Argentra's idea better.

[aff19802]

Yep you can pic up everything you need there and at good prices... if you go with a tub just pic one up from walmart on your way...

I seem to know your situation all to well I am also 20 but i got mine at college an had to bring him home she wasnt cool with it at first she use to put towels stuffed under my room door when i wasnt home or at night... LOL... but now i have a rack and 2 additions an she still wont get close but she's cool with it... If you deside to go with I tank setup pm me an I can offer you my old one which is about 5 months old used for 3 if you can meet me somewhere I have it all and a few different size tanks 5, 10, 40(Not advertising everyone just trying to help him out)...

[TheBallPython]

Thanks guys! I'll definitely be starting with a 10 gal then. Unfortunately I'm hitting some more road blocks with my mom, she just doesn't seem to realize that this snake won't kill me.. . Keeping my fingers crossed though, at worse I'll have to wait another 2-3 years, but here's hoping! I contacted 8ball pythons and they did say they'd be setting up at the show near me. It's awesome that I'd be getting one of his snakes, they're gorgeous!

And thanks aff19802, once it gets closer I may take you up on your offer. You're pretty close, I'm sure we could easily meet up.

*oh, as a side note, i'm a she, lol. everyone on this forum thinks i'm a guy.

[Kaorte]

Thanks guys! I'll definitely be starting with a 10 gal then. Unfortunately I'm hitting some more road blocks with my mom, she just doesn't seem to realize that this snake won't kill me.. . Keeping my fingers crossed though, at worse I'll have to wait another 2-3 years, but here's hoping! I contacted 8ball pythons and they did say they'd be setting up at the show near me. It's awesome that I'd be getting one of his snakes, they're gorgeous!

And thanks aff19802, once it gets closer I may take you up on your offer. You're pretty close, I'm sure we could easily meet up.

*oh, as a side note, i'm a she, lol. everyone on this forum thinks i'm a guy.

Yeah, parents can be difficult sometimes. Luckily there is no record I can find of a ball python injuring a human being more than a simple bite. No deaths that I can find either.

My parents still send me EVERY news article they find about snakes killing people though. And every time I explain, they are BALL PYTHONS!!! But they don't get it. They just refuse to educate themselves . I guess some people will just never be snake people.

All I can suggest is trying to educate your mom as much as you can. Make her read a book or research "snake attacks" or something. Snakes in my opinion are less dangerous than dogs or cats. If I get bit by a cat I am going to the hospital, with a snake? I am going to get a bandaid. Lol

[TheBallPython]

Yeah, parents really just need to chill out, lol. I think what bugs me most is that I'm 20 and still have to ask permission. If it were up to me I'd already have him here! I told her there was nothing to worry about, but she keeps getting upset saying that she hasn't said yes yet. Another arguement is she says I already have enough pets, and when is enough enough.. but why does it matter? They're my pets. I pay for them, their needs, vet bills... AND they're in my room! Ugh.. ok, done venting.

Well, the good news is I did get her from "absolutely not" to "thinking about it", so maybe in a few more months I'll get her there.