Just a few questions.

[LP.]

I'm just getting into ball pythons and I have a few questions I cant seem to find answers too.

One of my hasnt eaten for the past 2 feeding days, is this because of the breeding season?

I bought a new ball python today at a reptile expo, how long should she be on quarantine?

The ball python that hasn't been eating is supposed to be fed rat pups, if I cant find rat pups how many mice should I get?

When a heat bulb burns out, do I need to get a new dome along with a new bulb?

What type (As in color and Watts) is best for the ball pythons right now? (Both are just about 3 months)

Should I get bulbs for night use?

Thats all I can think of for now, I'm sure I'll think of more though.

[Kaorte]

If your snakes are only 3 months old then no, it is not eating because it is breeding season. Chances are you have a husbandry error that is stressing the snake out.

You should quarantine in another room in your house for at LEAST a month. Most people will recommend 3 months.

You could just feed one adult mouse, a rat pup and an adult mouse are about the same size.

No, you just need a new light.

Lamps are really not recommended for ball pythons. Ball pythons don't need any kind of spectrum lighting or overhead heating at all for that matter. You are better off ditching the heat lamps for under tank heaters.

Well, you don't need to use bulbs at all. If you are using one to keep your temps up, it should be on 24/7 night drops are not really recommended.

[Crazy4Herps]

One of my hasnt eaten for the past 2 feeding days, is this because of the breeding season?

If it's the newer one, it would be because of the stress of rehoming. Don't handle for 24 hours before feeding. Feed in the late evening in the dark. Give it some time, he/she will come around eventually.

I bought a new ball python today at a reptile expo, how long should she be on quarantine?

Imo, it depends on the breeder. If it's from a reputable breeder (and I mean top-of-the-line reputable; for me, that means RDR, NERD, VPI, and BHB, no others) 30 days on QT is sufficient, unless you notice any further problems. If it's from a less-reputable breeder, go with 60 days. If it's from a non-professional breeder, then at least 80 days.

The ball python that hasn't been eating is supposed to be fed rat pups, if I cant find rat pups how many mice should I get?

One mouse is about the same as a rat pup. (Could a change in food, i.e. a switch from mice to rats be causing its lack of feeding response?)

When a heat bulb burns out, do I need to get a new dome along with a new bulb?

Nope.

What type (As in color and Watts) is best for the ball pythons right now? (Both are just about 3 months)

It depends on enclosure size, ambient temp. in your house, etc. You'll have to experiment until you can get the warm side of the enclosures at around 88* and the cool side around 80*. I think a 60w would be a safe place to start experimenting. (Halogen bulbs can also be used with rheostats [dimmers], which is ideal for fine-tuning temps.) As a guideline, no colored bulbs, these can be very damaging to reptiles. "Basking bulbs" such as halogen bulbs and ceramic heat emitters work fine, although CHEs do tend to bring down the humidity by 10% or so.

Personally, I don't use lamps, I find they are too much of a hassle with the photo periods and humidity. I prefer a basic Zoomed heat mat on a thermostat or rheostat, sometimes one on each side if the cool side temps are too low.

Should I get bulbs for night use?

Depends on how cool your house gets at night. The warm side should never dip below 75* at night, preferably 80*. If it does get cooler than this, you should get a night heat source. Head pads (always use a thermo/rheostat!) are a great secondary heat source for at night, as are CHEs. Again, no colored bulbs. If you can see the light, they can see the light, at they need at least 10 hours of semi-darkness every night. Colored bulbs on at night will stress them out.



Good luck with everything! I know it can be confusing, the key is to experiment with things until you find something that works. And if you have any other questions, ask away.

[seeya205]

UTH is best but a red bulb is best if using light because they can't see red!

[Crazy4Herps]

UTH is best but a red bulb is best if using light because they can't see red!

I have heard otherwise. I'll have to find the article again, but I have read that the "they can't see red light" argument is a scam from the companies.

[jason79]

I belive they can see red light. I have a light that has red led's I use it when I go to check and see who has eaten because I dont like to turn the lights on in the room and they do act like they see the light.

[seeya205]

I was talking about a infrared bulb! They can't see that!

[Crazy4Herps]

I was talking about an infrared bulb too. I can't find that article though... still looking...

[Quiet Tempest]

I thought this one was a neat read on snakes' vision..

http://www.mvkonnik.info/2009/03/int...es-vision.html