My first BP

[Fincayra]

Hi, everyone. First of all, I wanted to thank all of you for providing me with all the information I could ever ask for in regards to ball python care, husbandry, color morphs, etc. etc. I've been reading all I could about ball pythons, and I think bp.net has honestly been my best source of information here on the internet.

This is my first BP ever. I devoted a whole week to creating a suitable habitat for one. I learned a lot along the way, made a lot of returns and exchanges at the local pet stores when I realized I didn't get the right equipment or hides or whatever. Perhaps my biggest blunder was purchasing a 40 gallon terrarium because it was a good price, when all I really needed for my juvenile python was a 20 gallon. But I made it work. I slipped a piece of sturdy cardboard in there to divide the terrarium down the middle and stuffed two hides, a water dish, a plant, and a log to make it cozy and as stress-free as possible. It seems to be working out wonderfully.

And now, without further ado, meet Cinna, my male Caramel ball python.



He is a Caramel, right? I ordered that specific morph online and he's what they sent me, but he doesn't quite look like a Caramel to me. More like a Pastel. But maybe he's still young, and I'm just too new to this whole ball python thing to identify all the different colors they come in.

I think he's pretty happy. He's a little shy, but last night he got to explore his new home and even climbed the plant - which was totally not meant for climbing, more for decoration. He's moving around the terrarium to cool off or get warm, too, which I think is a good sign that the temperatures are right.

But just in case, maybe you all could tell me if my setup is okay and the temps are correct. I've got both a UTH and a ceramic heat bulb. The temp on the basking side is between 87°-90°, and the temp on the cool side is 80°-83°. I've got a hide on top of the UTH, and a hide that's more snug on the cool side. Water dish is slightly positioned under the lamp to raise the humidity. I've been having trouble keeping it up in the %50-%60 range; misting the terrarium only works for ten minutes before it drops again. But I did just buy a humidifier, so I'm hoping that will make a difference in the room. I've got a digital thermometer to measure temperature and humidity levels, and I'm using aspen shavings, although I'm thinking I'm going to switch to a substance that holds the humidity in a little better. Like I said, Cinna looks pretty comfortable in his environment.

I forgot to say hello! I'm happy to be a member of this forum. I hope to learn a lot from you all.