first time owner--care for my baby ball

[stag]

Hey, i joined this site because everyone seems to be knowledgeable and helpful regarding bp's.

i just got a baby ball. I don't know how old it is; it's about 14 inches long and maybe an inch to an inch and a half in diameter around her 'waist', and i don't even know if she's male or female. Her previous owner wanted to get rid of it because his mom didn't want him to have it. He didn't really take good care of her; she was in a HUMONGOUS (30-35 g.) cage and is only 12-14 in. Long, he FED IT IN THE CAGE, and it was as dry as desert in the thing--no humidity at all.
honestly, i fell in love with it, and i want it to be more taken care of than what it previously was. My roommate has a 1 1/2-year-old, so i'm pretty sure i know more than the average joe just getting a snake for the first time. However, i was just wondering some basic care tips or helpful hints about taking care of them.

1) she's in a more moderately sized cage now, maybe 20 g. I'm using white computer paper as a floor, and she has a nice hide and some foliage spread about. However, i'm concerned about maintaining the heat and humidity; i have two lamps, one for the day and one for the night. I hate using lamps, but they came free from the dude who didn't want the snake, and i can't afford a thermostat at the moment. Lately it's been around 50-65% humidity and around 80 degrees and i was just wondering if this was acceptable for about another week, when i can purchase the thermometer. Is there anything i can do to warm her up more?

2) i got the snake this past monday, and it had eaten on sunday. Other than cleaning out her cage, i have not handled her to get her acclimated to her new surroundings. However, i go to school at ball state univ., and my winter break is four days away, and i will need to transport her to my home, 2 hours away. I have no choice, as i will not be back to school until the second week of january. So, my next concern is transportation; how should i handle her and transport her for a two hour trip? Will this affect her acclimation period?

these are my two main concerns right now; she seems to be semi-adjusted, as she pokes her head out at times and is super curious. I love this snake already, and i want to take the best care as possible of her. I really appreciate anyone who helps me out!

thanks a lot,
-stag
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[Elise.m]

Well, your humidity in the tank will be lower than it is outside of the tank due to the heat lamps. You'll need to spray the tank with some water, if you don't have a mister, just wet your hand and flick water throughout the tank.

You don't have a thermometer, and that's bad. It sounds like you're going to get one as soon as you can, so that's good. After you get that, you'll need to get an Under Tank Heater (UTH) and a thermostat. Altogether would cost about $50 give or take a few dollars.

As far as transporting her, put her in a pillow case with a zip tie closing it tightly. As tight as you can get it to go. Make sure she's warm throughout the trip. This trip will be extremely stressful to her, and she probly won't eat for a while. I'd say don't handle her at all until you get her through the trip, let her settle in for 5 days and maybe try to give her a meal. She might be too stressed from all the moving still, so if she doesn't eat then, wait 7 days then try.

Good luck with him/her!

Edit: When you feed her, don't take her out of her tank. Let her feed in her tank, she'll had been through enough stress as it is by then. Feeding in the enclosure isn't a bad thing, it's more of personal preference. But in your case, it would be better to feed inside the enclosure.

[steveboos]

First off, nice job rescueing that litte baby BP! Secondly welcome to the site, there are a lot of threads that will answer any question you will ever have. Your baby sounds to be no more than 3 or 4 months old and is probably around 150 grams i'd imagine. The temps are a little low, but untill you have a digital accurite thermometer, you wont be able to know exactly how hot it is, its probably near 90 at the hotspot. The humidity is perfect and you can use either foil or a towel to keep the humidity in. Don't feed her yet as the stress of the ride could cause her to regurgitate.

Try and keep the enclosure cramped and if you can go to Dollar General and pick up some blastic bowls, they have a small bowl thats perfect for a ball python that size. Stick 2 of those in there with a water bowl and the foliage you said you had.

Good thing you have held the baby yet, i wouldn't. When you go to trasport your ball python buy a 6 qt container from target or walmart to put her in. The smaller the container the better so she feels secure, i think a 6 qt would be perfect. Make sure the container isn't airtight or just put some holds in the side with a soldergun or whatever you have. make sure she isn't near any drafts or open windows and if possible put home hand warmers under the tub while on the road. Personally i burn my self up making the car warm enough when i travel with snakes in the vehicle, but some hand warmers could do a good job. Any other questions or things i missed, i know someone else can help fill in.

[stag]

yeah, i have an under tank heater and a themometer, just not the thermostat to regulate temps.

i spray the tank about 3 times a day, as this seems to be a happy medium for humidity.

my roommate was in the same position i am in now, but he was using the UTH without the thermostat and burned his snake a little bit, and i don't want to risk that.

i will be getting a thermostat in about 6 days, MAXIMUM.

thank you very much for your help!

[Lolo76]

The others have already given good advice, but I'll reiterate that feeding in the tank/tub is NOT a bad thing... in fact, I feed all 11 of my snakes (BPs and corns) in their enclosures, and haven't had a problem yet. Especially with BPs who can be shy and picky eaters, it's just too stressful moving them for every meal.

[Lolo76]

P.S. If you house the snake in a tub instead of a tank, you won't have to mist at all... humidity is almost too high in tubs, depending on your local climate. Good luck!

[Edbean]

my roommate was in the same position i am in now, but he was using the UTH without the thermostat and burned his snake a little bit, and i don't want to risk that.

yup that was stupid of me lol, shes all healed and I got the uth w/ repti therm 500r now

[Edbean]

The others have already given good advice, but I'll reiterate that feeding in the tank/tub is NOT a bad thing... in fact, I feed all 11 of my snakes (BPs and corns) in their enclosures, and haven't had a problem yet. Especially with BPs who can be shy and picky eaters, it's just too stressful moving them for every meal.

Judging by your avatar id say I would never want to put my hand in there to take them out... lol just sayin

[iCandiBallPythons]

One other thing , replace the computer paper with newspaper.

[stag]

One other thing , replace the computer paper with newspaper.

did that as soon as i got home! i think it looks better and there's a little more padding for her too.

thanks for everyone who gave me some advice, she's in her new home and adjusting perfectly (last night i caught her crawling around EVERYWHERE). my thermostat should be here in a couple days and i should have a happy, healthy baby ball. not that she's not happy or healthy already, but it'll take some weight off my shoulders!

@ ed: mine will be where yours it at someday. then, we start a business!