A Few Questions From A New Ball Python Owner...Please Read

[Bdubedub]

Please dont flame me... theres so much information out there & I am a responsible, well cared for person when it comes to ANY animal. I have a custom tank which is all wood except for the sliding glass doors. I cannot use a UTH as it sits on the floor and has a wooden screen top. Would a 250watt ceramic heater work good to keep it warm at night? Trying to find ideas outside of a heating pad... daytime temps are no problem. Also, should I make a "water hide" for the water dish so he can soak before shedding and also help with the humidity and the floor being wood would help with getting water on the wood and causing damage. Its a laminate type wood floor. Thanks guys for your help!! Also will the big Eco-Terra hides work good for hides for an adult or do I need something bigger??

[PitOnTheProwl]

The CHE will kill your humidity. You can use an UTH inside but you have to REALLY watch your temps. I have seen people get away with it but like I said I would get a good thermostat.

The 50% humidity is going to cause problem with any unsealed wood..........that is why it took me so long to get my enclosures done. I had to figure out what I wanted to do with the inside.

[Bdubedub]

So I should avoid a ball python?? I wanted an albino so badly

[Merlin]

The temperature depends on the power of the bulb, the distance from the tank and the size of the tank. The common literature says that the tank should be around 83-85F for the hot side with a 90F basking place, and 80F for the cool side in the day. Night temperatures should be around 75F. As long as you can reach those temperatures with whatever wattage of bulb will be fine. Remember not to use hot rock heaters because your snake would coil around it and burn itself.

I'm not sure about a water hide; definitely you could do that, but I've read a humid hide is enough.

Another thing, you'd have to be careful about the wood walls, which would probably deteriorate due to the warm moist environment of the living conditions. Watch out for mold and what not. Also, avoid cedar and fir woods for substrate and the walls because of the wood oils which are poisonous to the snake.

[Merlin]

So I should avoid a ball python?? I wanted an albino so badly

Depending on the genetics of the albino, they could be much more expensive than a ball.

[Bdubedub]

Would a few corn snakes go good in that inclosure?? What do I need at night for a corn? I know this is a BP forum... but I want to get the right snake.

[Bdubedub]

Im prepared to pay $400 for an albino male... not worried of genetics. Hes a family pet.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Also, avoid cedar and fir woods for substrate and the walls because of the wood oils which are poisonous to the snake.

I didnt even think about that............what type of wood is the enclosure?

[purplemuffin]

I don't think you need to avoid a ball python, just look over the caresheet for them on this site.

Ball pythons like small tight hides, buy a hide that your ball can squeeze into and sort of 'barely' fit. Makes them feel safe.

As far as the CHE, I've seen people use them and it works great, but you will want something to measure humidity as like he said they can sap the water out of the air--so you'll need to spray the cage!

Just make sure your wood on the inside is sealed and sealed and sealed again and it will last. It won't last forever, but I've seen custom wooden tanks last 15+ years before they warp.

If you want to be sure the wood doesn't over drench, use something like a dog bowl that won't tip for the water, that way you at least won't have huge water spills!

[Bdubedub]

I already have aspen in place.