New with a couple questions

[USAFbentley]

Hi guys! Im new to the forum and new to BPs so please take it easy on me :p . I have everything all sent up for my new guy. I had a couple questions on feeding and lights. Right now I have two red bulbs for heat one for day and a slightly smalsmaller for night, I heard natural lighting is ok but wanted to get sone REAL input on it. Also he seems a bit big so be eating the little frozen mice now I was wondering what size he could start eating pinkies? So far he seems to love his new home and he is just gorgeous! But any info would be greatly apreciated.




Sean

[KMG]

Natural light is fine.

No night time temp drop is necessary.

To give advise on the feeding we need more info. Age, weight?
What are you feeding it now that you want to start feeding pinks? Pinks are the smallest you can get.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Even right out of the egg BP's are too big to eat pinkies. Most will start on hopper mice, you want to feed your BP a rodent that is as wide as the widest part of the snake.

BP's are nocturnal and don't like bright white light. The light in a room will be more than enough for the snake, but don't put the tank in front of any windows or in direct sunlight as the tank will act like a greenhouse and overheat.

Can you give us more details on how you have your cage set up and what you are heating the cage with/measuring temperatures with? A picture of your setup would be great.

How to post pictures: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...with-pictures)

Here are 2 threads that you should read to make sure that you have everything right:

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

Cage Hating: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Thermometers

[USAFbentley]

I think a fuzzy or hopper would be an ok size. I appologize im at work and cant post any pictures up. Clearly im working real hard lol. Now ive heard mixed things about feeding in his enclosure or feeding in a seperate cage? Im very unsure what is the best for him AND me so he doesnt start snapping at me. The temp is good and humidity is pretty good and I use digital therm gun and have a dig. Therm in the enclosure. Im just trying to find the most efective and best way to keep him warm and healthy

[The Serpent Merchant]

Feed him right in his cage. Aggression from doing so is a myth and is completely unfounded. You are actually more likely to get bit trying to feed a snake in a separate container.

Just make sure that the cage has a cool side between 78-82, a hot side between 88-92, and humidity between 40% -60% normally, 60% - 80% during shed.

[USAFbentley]

Cool side sits about 77 right now and warm size is 89 durring day and 85 at night but I will fix that knowing what I know now lol. Humidity is usually 50% and he just shed before I recived him so will make sure to raise durring shed. And thank you for clearing up the feeding issue I was thinking the same thing but wanted to double check for both of our sake he seeks very "playful" but im going to let him get used to the new home for about 7 days before I handle him too much. Is that about right?

[The Serpent Merchant]

Sounds good