Just looking for input

[Russtix]

Hello and thanks in advance! I just bought my first python a week ago and set its home up according to what the shop told me.
The left side of the tank sits about 90 degrees, right side about 80. Humidity between 40-50, mistings a couple times a day to maintain.
Im using the aspen shavings and i mixed em up today to bring the wetter substrate from below up to the top.
I have handled my python for the past 2 days, a couple times each day. Personality and temperament are amazing! No strikes, took about 20 min to relax the first handling but since has been pretty easy going.
Im open to input pertaining habitat, i feel like mine is lacking substance. Ive read varying opinions on wether pythons enjoy busy habitats (places to climb, foliage etc...) and although mine seems to be quite content id like to not neglect in any way.
Thanks for your input!
I havent named him(her) yet since i dont know the sex but the love is there regardless
The red stick from last picture has been removed as it was randomly placed and served no purpose

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[Alter-Echo]

Enclosure is not bad, most people freak about the log hides, but I find snakes do fine as long as one end is covered with substrate or something. More stuff in the tank is always better, it makes them feel more secure and I find most of mine do like to explore at night. What kind of heating are you using, and hopefully it's on a thermostat to prevent overheating?

One thing you may want to consider is limiting handling to maybe once every other day, too much handling can stress them out, especially when they are new.

[Avsha531]

Wow that's a cute lil baby! Welcome, definitely keep us updated.

A few suggestions that I would make, I typically like to give 2 hides for the beeps, one in the warmer side and one on the cooler side, so they don't have to sacrifice thermoregulation for security. Next suggestion I would have, is that those half log hides aren't really super ideal, as they are open on both ends and may make the little boop feel insecure. I have one of those, and what I did was tape some black paper to the back on the OUTSIDE of the tank, on the back of the open half log. My girl loves that hide, she doesn't want to switch to anything bigger or different lol. They like tight secure spots. Also, I see that you have a florescent/UV bulb going on up there, they definitely don't need it but may benefit from day/night schedule. Just make sure it's off at night, as that can stress them out. As far as humidity, I like to keep in the 60-70 range, and bump it up a bit when in shed. Aspen is a lot of work to keep up humidity especially in glass enclosures, what I do to keep up humidity is A. First and foremost cover the top with silver foil and duct tape and cut out holes for ventilation and heat source. There is a sticky here on how to do it and it changed my life, as far as maintaining heat and humidity. B. I keep a pretty large water bowl close to my heat source. C. Utilizing live plants really helps to, I've found success with Pothos plants based on suggestions of others on this forum, plus it has the added benefit of cluttering up the cage a bit to help the lil guy/gal feel more secure. What are you using as a heat source?


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[Russtix]

Thanks for the responses!!!
I dont have a thermostat to automatically regulate temperature but ive been home due to a surgery so ive been able to monitor it constantly. It stays pretty constant with the left side at 90 and the right side at 80

Fixture fits upto 4 lights I use 3
Daytime Heating is
100w zilla white daytime(center left side)
Reptisun UVB (center right side)

Night heat is provided by red night light (far left)
Tank maintains same temps as daytime

(S)He seems to prefer the left side of the tank but has utilized the log on the right as well. I just today turned it so the back side touches the decorative tank back effectively concealing that end.

I like the idea of live foliage, would i need to setup a drain system and the whole works?
I actually have a biodrain system on its way for a different tank but am not opposed to a living setup for my BP

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[Russtix]

Also i try to keep lighting to 12/12

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[Russtix]

The night heating

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[Godzilla78]

Sweet setup

[Cheesenugget]

With wet aspen you are risking mold in your tank. I would switch out the substrate to cocofiber, peat moss, or mulch. That substrate is fine for misting, not aspen. This is how I balance the humidity: soil substrate for glass tanks, aspen or papertowels for tubs (Tubs automatically have a high constant level of humidity). Overall, you want a dry cage over a wet one.

I personally am not a fan of large open glass tanks plus lights (day and night) for baby snakes because of the risk of feeding strikes from stress. Please read the ball python stickies when you get the chance. Have your snake eaten for you yet?

[Avsha531]

I agree with the suggestion on the substrate change, I personally like using cypress mulch. It holds humidity pretty well and is more resistant to mold. And a full biodrain system isn't necessary, I was just suggesting throwing in a potted plant.

If you were contemplating doing away with the UV light, maybe consider a setup with a under tank heater with a thermostat (Herpstats are the best but pricey IMO, but you can get the Jumsptart thermostat on Amazon for like $30 to start with) and switching to a CHE bulb on a dimmer? Will be easier to keep track of temps when you aren't home. 100w seems pretty powerful for an enclosure of that height

[Craiga 01453]

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of snake keeping.

Your setup looks pretty good, but one MAJOR red flag. ALL HEAT SOURCES SHOULD BE REGULATED BY A THERMOSTAT. You can't possibly monitor it all day, even if you're home. And you sleep....soooo...you need a thermostat. Look up snake burns if you need a little nudge or think it's optional.

Also, if you're rotating the aspen because some is wet, it's too wet and you're risking scale rot.
I would ditch the aspen anyway. It's lousy for holding humidity and molds easily. I have used a mixture of repti bark and eco earth for years with no issues at all.

The half log hides are also not ideal for BPs. They do much better with cave like hides with single openings so they can be 100% out of sight. Also, there should be 2, one at each end of the temp gradient.

I would also use dark paper, cardboard or something similar to cover the sides of the enclosure. Again, because BPs do better with more security.

Lastly, I know it's exciting to have a new pet, but I highly advise all new keepers to hold off on handling until the snake has eaten three consecutive meals without refusal. This is especially true with new owners who have young BPs. BPs can be very finicky when it comes to eating, and stress is one MAJOR factor, often due to handling. You'll have 20+ years to handle the snake, let it get acclimated and eating consistently before handling.

You said the snake relaxed after about 20 mins of handling. That's too long of a handling session for a young BP. Once the snake is eating consistently start with short and sweet handling sessions twice a week. Then gradually increase.

Anyway, keep learning, from reliable sources, and you'll be good to go.

Hope I helped! Feel free to ask any questions you may have.