My New Ball Python

[Miles]

I bought my first snake, Uro, a few days ago, and while he's comfortably housed for the time being, I want to start looking now for the next size up, cage wise. Currently he's only about a month and a half old, and he's in a 10 gallon tank. I understand that I eventually should get a 30 for him, but am told that getting a tank that big for him right now may be to much space for him and could make him feel uncomfortable?

If that is the case then I am looking at a 20 gallon for the time being for him and I was just wondering if there's a really good place to go for inexpensive tanks (most of the ones I see are 60 bucks or more).

If it isn't the case and I can just get my python a 30 gallon tank, then the same question applies. Also, I want to make sure I'm doing EVERYTHING right, so a question on under tank heaters. I was told by a pet shop employee who breeds Ball Pythons and Bearded Dragons that its normally a good idea to stay away from under tank heaters with pythons simply because the snakes don't sense heat on their undersides to well as their sensors are on the top of their maw/heads, so currently I'm using heat lamps. I just wanted to cross check this info, I thought it'd be alot easier to have a UTH.

Lastly, I'm also looking for a good place to buy hides. Some of the ones I've seen at pet stores look very bad for ball pythons as they are made of a heavy material that'll absorb the heat but not really cool down so if my python were to lay on the top he could get burned. So I guess I need to know what materials to stay away from as well as what materials to get if I have the option.

I suppose I'm a 'worrying parent' as this is my first snake, but honestly I'd wrather be over concerned and getting to much information then neglecting my 'baby'.

Thanks so much, I look forward to being educated!

[Royal Hijinx]

First: Do not buy another fish tank.

Take a look at Animal Plastics PVC cages. It comes with belly heat.

For hides look at Reptile Basics.

That set-up will serve you VERY well.

[Miles]

It looks like Animal Plastics uses almost a kennel like cage, where as there's an opening on the top and one side, but I like the idea of open on all sides just so I can watch my ball python from any angle. I don't know if it makes a big difference to the snake though.

[The Serpent Merchant]

It makes a huge difference.

Here are 2 of my AP cages stacked. They hold in heat and humidity much better. Aquariums are for fish not reptiles. I use the Animal Plastics T8 for Ball Pythons.



If you really want they can add in windows on the sides but that would make your BP feel less secure. Most people suggest covering 3 sides of tanks anyway to make a snake feel more secure.

Checkout the caresheet to make sure that your setup is correct.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

Under tank heaters are the best heat source, but unless they are regulated by a good thermostat they can easily kill your snake. Another thing to know is that they do not change the air temperature in the cage. This means 2 things. First dial type thermometers and even non-probed thermoneters are useless as they cannot tell you how hot the floor of the cage is (which is what the heating pad heats). A d second if your room that the cage is in gets below 75 degrees a second heat source (heat lamps for tanks, radiant heat panels in AP cages) will be needed to increase the air temperature in the cage.

I suggest that you post a photo of your set up so we can take a look.

Here are some good thermostats, don't bother with the crap sold in pet stores it isn't worth your money.

The hydrofarm thermostat is considered by most to be the cheapest usable thermostat. These aren't very accurate, but at $30 they are hard to beat price wise.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NZZG3S

The Herpstat is the best of the best. These are much more accurate, have far more capabilities, and have many built in safety features that make them a much better choice, but carry a higher price tag.

http://spyderrobotics.com/

Here is a good digital thermometer/hydrometer they are sold at Walmart for $12 and measure 2 temperatures, and humidity. 1 of these is all you need in your cage.



As mentioned above the reptile basics hides are the best. You can get them here:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

This is considered by many to be a very good BP set up. Simple, easy to clean, and most importantly makes the snake feel secure.

[Miles]

Holy cow, that looks a whole lot different then what I imagined when I was looking at the pictures on the site. It deffinatly makes sense to me now that I see it in use.



now that I see the awsome set ups other people have I'm extremely ashamed of mine. I know mine's still young, but I can't wait to get my hands on some quality items now.
I have 2 thermometers on both sides of the cage, and 1 combo thermometer/humidity on the upper middle area to keep track of the average temperature.


Uro

[The Serpent Merchant]

I would start out by replacing the thermometers, the dial type sold in pet stores are known to be inaccurate, and short lived. The digital thermometer from Walmart that I posted about above is used by many people here and is a great value.

I would also replace the hides with 2 reptile basics small sizes (a link to which can be found in my post above)

I wouldn't be ashamed, I've seen much much worse lol, you have got the basics. Now it's time to dial it in. Everyone has to start somewhere.

[Miles]

I see the various hides at reptile basics, which am I going to get when he's adult size? I assumed the large.

[The Serpent Merchant]

It depends on how big he gets. You will move him up as needed. Remember that they like tight fitting hides.

Most will end up with larges, some will even need bigger ones.

[Evenstar]

Aaron's given you fantastic advice!! Just wanted to chime in and say welcome to the forums - you've come to the right place for education! And Aaron is also right to say you should not be ashamed - we all start somewhere! And we certainly won't look down on you for coming here and asking questions and wanting to do the right thing and make things better for your snake! Welcome to the addiction....

[Miles]

So he's going to need a medium next then? Or a small? And does the sizing up thing work with the cage too or can I just get the one he's going to be in as an adult as long as his hides are to the propper size?



Oh and I feel the need to ask how many days should they go before being fed again, I was planning on trying again 5 days after feeding him the first time, Wed of this upcoming week.