New BP Owner

[jeep88]

just wanted to say hi to everyone and that I am a new bp owner so if any one has some hints or tips for me please do let me know this bp is about 2or 3 feet long but don't know how old it is

[snakecharmer3638]

WELCOME!!!

The first thing you need to do...... Is go find a camera and post pics of your little ball of joy.

[steveboos]

I agree with the above poster, pictures are a must! Also if i can tell you one thing about ball pythons, as long as the husbandry is correct, your snake will not have any problems.

[PYMOM]

I agree with the above poster, pictures are a must! Also if i can tell you one thing about ball pythons, as long as the husbandry is correct, your snake will not have any problems.

So true...seems like once you get the husbandry wright...everything else just seems to fall in place....also lots of good advice on here

[jfreels]

welcome!

[bsash]

Alright, well, for starters you need to get an enclosure, which I am assuming you already have since you got the ball python.

Next, you need to work on your heating. Your ambient air temperature in the enclosure should stay right about at 80 degrees. You need a cool side and a hot side in you enclosure, this means the belly heat, or ground temperatures. The best thing for belly heat is either flexwatt or under the tank heat mats controlled on thermostats. The hot side should stay between 90- 94 degrees, and your cool side should stay between 80- 85 degrees. You should not need a heat lamp unless your ambient drops below 76 degrees, and if that does happen, use either a red or black heat lamp, or a ceramic heat emitter. The reason you should not use white heat lamps is since they are nocturnal, the bright light stresses them.

As well, ball pythons don't make great displays because they hide most of the time. That being said, you need two hides, one on the hot side and one on the cool side. The reason for two hides is so they can regulate their body temperature since they are unable to do it on their own and depend on other heat sources.

Also, try and find a substrate that you really like, and possibly one that will help you with humidity. You can use a lot of different things for substrate such as paper towels, aspen, cypress mulch, eco-earth expandable dirt, and many others, just stay away from pine and cedar as they are harmful to ball pythons. I recommend eco-earth because it holds humidity very well, and is very easy to clean.

Last but not least, humidity. Humidity is very important to keep your snake shedding in one piece. As long as you keep your humidity between 50- 60% on regular days, and raise it to 60- 70% when in shed, you will be good to go. As well, you should get a water bowl that the snake can fit in if it wants to.

Good luck, and enjoy your new ball python!

[j_h_smith]

Hello. Glad to see you could make it. We've been expecting you for some time now.

Jim Smith