Being fair about PetSmart (and buying your ball python from them)

[Craiga 01453]

She's a lot less than 2 feet long, the thermometer reads both humidity and temperature (when shes not curled around it...) its the one that sticks to the inside of the tank, I've been looking into other potential necessaries and a temp gun did come up, I've actually got a notepad list going at the moment haha. She has a daytime/nighttime lamp, water dish, hidey log, (which she finally decided she liked once she shoved it back against the tank wall) and aspen bedding. The girl told me she was fed yesterday and she eats one mouse a week. She handed me a copy of their feeding schedule, which was helpful, and as for their tanks there she had to dig for the snake to see if she was still in there. LOTS of fake plants, when i walked up i was like "Dang, She sold already." lol They were out of the mice and told me to come back tomorrow (which it looks like id have to do anyway, thanks to those clips) but she said shes been on a diet of frozen arctic pinkie mice. She really is quite a small snake, I have no idea how shes getting the stuff off of her tank. The other thing on my to-get list tomorrow is a heat mat, since they inconveniently forgot to tell me about it. Possibly a different hidey hole since she wasnt too fond of the log. I DID get another container in which to feed her since they recommended i not do it in her normal habitat. Not sure if that was just their way of making me spend an extra 20 or not but meh, if it helps her its worth it.

Sorry for the long reply, she escaped again.

Yeah, unfortunately, they sold you some stuff you don't need, and didn't sell you some of the stuff you need. Turns out the girl wasn't as good as you thought. A UTH is far better than the day/night lights. BPs don't like light, so there shouldn't be a bright light on her all day to keep her warm. Day Lights are great for cleaning, temporary viewing, etc... but I would switch to a UTH asap, but ON A THERMOSTAT. The UTH's can create extreme hot spots and can burn, or overheat and kill snakes. Depending on ambient room temps, a night bulb or CHE will be better. Lights also drain humidity drastically. Depending where you live, this can be a pain in the butt. You'll need a new thermometer/hygrometer too, a decent one with probes isn't much more at walmart than what you paid for the dial one that is extremely inaccurate. You need to measure the ambient temp, as well as surface temps. BPs spend almost their entire lives on the surface and some like to burrow, so the surface temp is extremely important. A temp gun is very important for this.

Aspen bedding is ok, but you'll prob want to switch when you buy your next bag. Aspen doesn't hold humidity well and molds easily.

I would also grab a kitchen scale from Walmart or something. Get one with a good size plate, you'll probably need to put your snake in a Tupperware or something to get a good reading. Also make sure the display won't be blocked so you can read it.

Next, pinkies are too small for your snake. Depending on the weight of your snake, I'm thinking at least Small Adult mice would be appropriate. When I took my BP home he was 20" and 128 grams and eating Lg adult mice.

Two hides are best, one on the hotspot created by your UTH, the other on the cool side. The logs are too open for them, they prefer to be more secure, so one with a single opening is best, preferably offset, so the snake can be almost completely under cover. You also want one that fits your BP. The tighter the better, within reason. Obviously, the snake should fit comfortably, not be scraping their scales getting in and out, etc...but they do prefer a snug, comfortable fit.

Lastly, return the other container. Feed your BP IN her enclosure.

I guess advice on buying a snake from a girl who is afraid of snakes isn't a great idea. She clearly isn't educated on snakes and is just there to sell. Sorry