New Python Owner

[mpeterson915]

Hey just came across this site and thought I would check it out. I have just received my first ball and am a little worried. I got him a week ago Today. The pet store gave me his feeding schedule and he has been getting fed every wed and Saturday. When I picked him up his eyes were milky blue so I knew that he was starting his shed and most likely would not eat last wed he started to actually shed his skin on Friday and it looks bad it is coming off in small pieces and just doesn't look right to me. I know the humidity level in his tank isn't ideal but I spray down the tank everyday and am now starting to keep a plastic cover over half the screen to keep some more humidity in the tank ( seams to be helping a bit so far) Anyway I have posted some pics any suggestions would be great thinking about giving him a bath tomorrow in a warm tub. Since we are both new to each other I have not been handling him any more than necessary I did try and feed him today since he was pretty active yesterday. My only concern with helping him shed is if he were to bit me I might drop him and do not want to cause him anymore discomfort. I am not worried about being bit just being startled and dropping him. Thanks for any help.

[mpeterson915]

Forgot some pics. sorry.




In the second picture there is a hide i just removed it to see how his shed was coming.

[Rejekt]

im not 100% sure about your questions but i have read alot of info on here , and with that info it suggests not to use half logs as hides because it can cause the snake more stress because he doesn't feel secure. best to have a hide on each side that will touch all of the sides of the snake when he is inside and it is also recommended to use black foam core board to cover the back and sides of the tank. as well as the thermometers, the strip thermometer and dial one in the picture, are not accurate . the best recommended thermometer is In my opinion a infrared heat gun, or just go to walmart and buy an acurite brand thermometer/hygrometer combo it will measure the temps on both sides of cage aswell as the humidity. this wasn't meant to knock on what you have setup or anything im just letting you know some info i came across on here. good luck and i'm positive other people here can answer your questions better than me!

-Jon

[llovelace]

Also his heat pad should be under the tank. connected to a rheostat or thermostat set at 92-94

[Kaorte]

Okay, looks like you are doing okay for the most part.

I will address your shed issue first since that is your major concern.
Get a pillow case and get it damp with room temperature water, or around 80-85*. It should not be dripping wet. Put the snake inside and tie the pillow case so he can't get out. Leave him in there for 15-20 minutes. when you open the pillow case, restrain him so he has to gently squeeze through your hands and the pillow case. The pillow case will help to pull off the stuck shed.

Now about your setup.
1. Hides: You will need two identical tight fitting hides. I use random platic containers that I find and solder a small opening into them. You could also cut an opening.
2. The UTH (under tank heater) goes UNDER the tank on one side. This must be regulated with a thermostat or dimmer or else it WILL burn your snake.
3. The thermometers that you do have are well known for their inaccuracy. I suggest that you pick up a digital thermometer with a probe to measure your temps. There is a digital thermometer/humidity unit called the accurite which is very popular. You can find them at most walmarts, lowes, or home depots. It is about $15 but will be all you need.

[Rejekt]

There is a digital thermometer/humidity unit called the accurite which is very popular. You can find them at most walmarts, lowes, or home depots. It is about $15 but will be all you need.

i got mine yesterday reciept says $11.29 for the thermometer

[mpeterson915]

Thanks for the info guys I was wondering about the thermometer/humidity meters i will pick one up later today. The pillow case is a great idea ill try that in a few minutes and will also pick up another tree hide for him and get ride of the log.

[anatess]

The one I have was also $11 something after tax. From Wal-mart as well. Acu-Rite Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer and Hygrometer and Clock. Model 00891.

I have also used Shed-Ease which seems to help. I put 10ml Shed-Ease to a cup of lukewarm water in an appropriately-sized gladware container puncture a hole on the lid, put a face towel in and put snake in, snap the lid shut, and put the whole thing back in the enclosure. Come back 30 minutes later and pull out the towel with the snake and let him crawl through the towel to remove the last bits of skin.

Edit: I forgot to mention, that the water-level needs to be such that the snake doesn't have to swim in it. Just shy of covering the snake's back.

[dsmalex97]

Hey man I just got done on a thread just like this, but I'll give you some help.

1. Get rid of the aquairum. Some people might disagree with me and see don't worry about it, but honestly there a hassle, and tubs seems to work a lot better. They hold humidity at a constant 48%-54% at all times with aspen which is ideal, and when it comes time to shed, simply mist it and it will hold the humidity through out the day so the snake can properly shed.

2. Get UTH's NOW!! Overhead lighting really isn't reccomended with these guys.

3. Get a thermostat or a rheostat if you cant find a thermostat to regulate the UTH.

4. 3in1 thermometer hygro/thermometer/probed thermometer to measure your hot spot.

If you need anymore help, I can post pics of my tubs and how I keep my snakes. I had mine in an aquaium and had problems too, humidity, all kinds of stuff. Trust me go with the tub!!

[wolfy-hound]

You can also make a "humid hide" to put in when he looks ready to shed.
It's in essance a plastic container full of damp spagum moss, with a small opening for him to crawl through. He can crawl around in the damp moss which will help remove shed.
If you are worried about dropping him, then only handle him just above the floor(a few inches) or over a bed or table, so if you do accidentally drop him, he won't be injured.