Help

[thestrals]

I bought a Ball Python, and right now my tank is at my friends house (it's 75 gallons soo i can't really carry it here). I should be picking it up early next week or maybe sooner. I didn't buy a light yet cause i don't have enough money (i'm gonna try to get one soon, maybe friday when i go to get it food).

So, for temporary use, what should I do to keep her warm? I have a regular lamp thats small and can go over the temporary cage. Would that work? I also have a portable heater..but I'm really not sure about that.

I just need something to hold her off until tomorrow or friday.

[likebull1]

You should never buy any animal if you are not 150% prepared, but.... since you already did you can put him in a tupperware container and at least use a heating pat with a thermometor gor the time being.
Also some news paper for bedding.
You should really go out as soon as possible and get the proper stuff.

[likebull1]

Also if he is a baby a 75gal. will be way too big.

[stratus_020202]

Well........ First 75 gal, is way WAY to big for a ball python. Especially if it is a baby. They need to be at 50% humidity, or you are going to have trouble with sheds, and eyes cracking. They don't like a lot of space. She'll probably be nervous all the time and not eat for you.

Second. I'm sorry, but if you can't afford a heat lamp, you shouldn't have the snake. they are expensive creatures. Heat lamps will possibly dry out the enclosure, and they are better off with belly heat. That comes from an Under Tank Heater (UTH) and that is more costly than a lamp. It should also be hooked up to a thermostat, or you could burn your snake. They need a hot side and a cool side to thermoregulate. One at 90-92 degrees and the other at 80-82 degrees.

You also need hides for her to sleep in. Cereal bowls and such. And, a thermo/hygrometer to measure the temps and humidity on both sides.

Go ahead and hook up that light to give her some warmth. and mist down her enclosure to keep the humidity up. But not too much. You don't want a respiratory infection on your hands.

[thestrals]

I can afford a heat lamp, just i couldn't today. I'm gonna go out and buy it tomorrow or friday. I just needed something to hold her off for tonight. I already have something for her to stay in right now, so that's not a problem.

So you think the lamp will be alright for now? It's just a regular lamp...I just don't want her to be sad and cold for the night.

[stratus_020202]

I would probably go to the store and get some hand warmers, and stick them under her enclosure. They will be hot though, so lay down about 4 or 5 layers of paper towels over it.

You are going to get something smaller than a 75 though right? A 32 qt sterlite container from walmart would actually be perfect.

[stratus_020202]

You should also let it settle into its new home about a week before you try and feed it. And don't handle it too much for that week. She needs time to acclimate.

[WingedWolfPsion]

I will note that 'sad and cold' is not really accurate. "Cold and potentially getting sick with a respiratory or mouth infection that will require veterinary treatment" would be more accurate.

These are tropical animals, they need to be warm at all times. You not only need a source of heat, you need a way to finely control that heat so it is CORRECT. A thermostat is the best way to do this. If your humidity is too low, your ball python will not shed properly, and may develop skin and eye problems as a result. If you can't provide heat, don't bring the animal home yet--leave it in a heated environment. No one can tell you whether a regular lamp will work, because we don't have a thermometer there to check the temperatures in the cage you're using.

[k2l3d4]

Dude... I am going to have to agree that you should have been a bit more prepared... now as far as you 75 gallon tnak goes ,. It is a little bit trickier to maintain, but is quite possible... I have a 55 gallon for my baby BP and he does wonderful in it. Some people may say that a smaller tank is more beneficiial and it just may be, but I feel that a large tank can work if you are willing to put the work into it. Now my ambient temps are staying about 80 degrees in the house since I live in CA so I have not worried about a UTH on the cold side yet, but I do have a UTH on the hot side hooked to a lamp dimmer and then there is a probe thermometer measureing where the accurate temps are for the hot side of 89-90 as I keep it... I then have multiple hides.... Currently I have three hides, a piece of drift wood, and three bushes for him to hide in... He can get from one side of the tank to the other with out being seen. Humididty is where it gets tricky... what I have found that works welll is either a wet towel over half of the tank, or I just increase the humidity in his hot hide... that is much easier since it is a very smalll space... I have found that a damp wash cloth over the hide works wonders. and then it is easy to just toss it in the washing machine to clean it.....

So yes a large tank can be ok as long as you are willing and able to do the extra steps to ensure the health of your snake.... I would have to agree thought that you should leave the snake where it is until yor tank is nice and warm and ready for him....

[Hock3ymonk3y]

Do you think you should have saved up before purchasing a LIVE animal?