hi my name's jon, i'm 22 years old and i have been reading this forum for a few weeks now and am confident i know what it takes to care for a snake.
i have a pet rabbit, and a 55 gal fish tank with fish. i've also had hamsters, hermit crabs, and a dog. and i know snakes are completely different than all of the above but i've loved and respected all animals my whole life, and i would like to own a snake. i bought the cb-110 tub, and have 2 flexwatt squares (square foot size). hooked up and tested. i just need a thermostat, 2 thermometers, and the rest of supplies. i have a couple questions -
1. do i need to use both flexwatt pads one at each end, or would 1 hot spot be enough, room temperature being the cool side? my room fluctuates anywhere from 76-84 (it stays hot in here esp. when the blinds are open, i'm in palm beach florida) i already have both pads but i was just wondering if it would be pointless to set a cool side up only a few degrees warmer than room temp. but i want what is best. it wouldnt hurt anyway -
2. i want to keep my snake in this room but i tend to have a lamp on until 2-3am, will this amount of light (i've read about photoperiods) agitate the snake? should i consider a different room for him so he is only exposed to the normal 12 hour day? its just a single 75 watt bulb after the sun goes down, and it will be at the opposite corner of the room than the tub.
3. i am having trouble choosing the right size hides and water dish for the tub... i can find the sizes online and ive cut out piece of paper and laid them in the tub to get an idea of how much space theyd take up, but i want to be sure it will be the right size for the snake. i was looking at the ExoTerra Medium sized hides.. for a ball python (i will be looking to get one that has had its 5th-6th meal) so around that age, between that age and 6 mos but definitely under a year old. if you have pix of the cb-110 stocked with hides and accessories i'd like to see them!
i plan on filling the tub with everything first and then calibrating the temperatures so i know they are stable before i go snake shopping. thanks for any help i appreciate it. i have learned more from the nice people/helpful responses on this particular forum than any books or verbal advice.
sorry this might be more appropriate in the "Caging" forum
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