My first snake

[Erichugh22]

This weekend I will be picking up my first snake. I have found two I like at the local exotic pet store, a pastel and a butterball, they are both beautiful snakes and it will be really hard to make my mind up. I have had my tank set up for 2 days now adjusting things so I can make 100% sure I can keep and maintain the correct temp and humidity levels before bringing my snake home. I think my temps are perfect now, at least from what I've read on care sheets and stuff. The warm side of the tank is at 89 degrees and the cool side is at 78. My humidity started really high, about 95%, but I think my bedding was a little damp still when I put it in the tank. It has dropped down to 73ish now and is slowly going down a little at a time. I have two hides, one on each end, a water dish on the cool side of the tank, a fake plant just for looks and the accurite indoor/outdoor and humidity gauge. I have a red 100 watt heat bulb on top of the tank shining down on the warm side, I also have foil over the screen on the cooler side because I couldn't get the temp to rise above 72 degrees. I have been adjusting the foil all day to get it to stay at the right temp, but for the past few hours it seems to be holding in the right spot. If there's anything you see wrong with my setup please let me know, or if there is anything I'm missing. I'm really glad I decided to set my tank up before I picked up my snake. I'm sure it can't be good for the snake changing the temps all around constantly trying to figure out how to regulate it.

[DennisM]

I'm really glad I decided to set my tank up before I picked up my snake.

so am I. temps are good. humidity needs to be lower, but you're on the right track. check this out

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-With-Pictures!

[T_Sauer]

Sounds like your on the right track, as Dennis said let that humidity come down just a little more and you all set ... Just a reference to your struggle on choosing which ball to go with ... Most pastels will brown out as they age meaning that bright color your seeing now will dull and not be as appealing not ALL pastels do brown out but it is very common, while a butter tends to maintain its appearance a little better as it ages but even then there are excepts as with any morph, which doesn't mean much because beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Congrats on your first ball python whichever one you choose and a big Kudos to you for taking the time to learn and make sure you have everything squared away before bringing it home!! ... So many ppl just jump into it without doing any research first

[Erichugh22]

Here's the photo of my tank.

[Zincubus]

Here's the photo of my tank.

Looking good , I'd certainly add a few branches for climbing , bark pieces for exploring and more hiding places and fake plastic foliage ...

[Erichugh22]

Looking good , I'd certainly add a few branches for climbing , bark pieces for exploring and more hiding places and fake plastic foliage ...

Thanks, I was actually about to go by the pet store this evening when I get off to get a few more little things like that.

[Zincubus]

Thanks, I was actually about to go by the pet store this evening when I get off to get a few more little things like that.

Nice , Royals / Balls don't seem to appreciate loads of open spaces but they will make use of the space IF it's filled with stuff and there's loads of hiding places and whatever and they WILL climb branches every evening as well ...

[Erichugh22]

As far as a branch, do I have to go spend 15 bucks on a stick at a pet store or can I go tear one off the oak tree in my back yard?

[Zincubus]

As far as a branch, do I have to go spend 15 bucks on a stick at a pet store or can I go tear one off the oak tree in my back yard?

Just do a bit of research .... Some kinds of branches are unsuitable .

I get my branches from the local woods and soak them in a dilute solution of F10 . We're in the UK so I don't even know if you get F10 in the states ..

Some bake branches in the oven or even wash with bleach and thoroughly rinse afterwards ... Just do a bit of research or even start a thread in here asking for advice ...