Some quick questions.

[strangefamous]

Hello!
I am very excited to be a part of this community. I found it this morning and I have been reading all day! Tons of great and helpful info. There are a couple things that I havent seen on here yet. I have tried the search function but I am so hopeless when it comes to using that. This is my first time with a BP. Her first shed was not a good one. I did the soak technique and it worked great. Got all the shed off and she was very happy. I have her enclosure at 50% humidity at all times and when she started to shed I tried to get the humidity a little higher in there with no luck. What is the best way to do this? I have done a little misting but that makes me nervous. I dont want her to get gut rot or any other infections. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, is it a bad idea to mist directly on the snake? Lastly, I have cedar chips lining the floor of her tank, I have read on here that this is a no no and I am going to get reptile carpet for her. I am beginning to think man at the pet store that sold her to me knows nothing so I am VERY glad i found this site. Could the cedar chips have contributed to her bad shed?

[Kaorte]

Cedar is actually toxic to ALL small animals. Are you sure it isn't aspen or pine? Either way, I wouldn't use the reptile carpet. Re-usable substrate in general is just no fun. It gets nasty really fast and it will become a pain trying to get the smell out. My favorite substrates are aspen or paper towels.

Nothing wrong with misting the tank, as long as the substrate doesn't stay soaking wet for days and days, its not a problem. You can try spraying the snake directly but they usually don't like that too much.

What are you using to measure the humidity with? If it is one of those stick on round things, then you probably aren't getting an accurate reading of the humidity (or temps). You want something digital to read temps and humidity. My personal favorite is the accurite weather station which isn't even sold at a pet store. I got mine from the home depot but other people have found them at lowes or walmart. They are generally found in the outdoor section for around $12.

Chances are the pet store employee gave you a lot of bad information. Do yourself a favor and don't listen to a word they say. Even if they are trying to help, they usually have no idea what they are talking about.

[strangefamous]

Thanks for the quick response! I am sorry, the bedding is actually Pine bark. I am using a small plastic gauge that I found at petsmart, I stuck it to the top on the inside of the cage. Seems to always be at 50% even when i try to make it more humid. Looks like I will be making a trip to Home Depot tomorrow! Thanks so much for your advice. I really appreciate it. I want her to be the happy snake!

[Kaorte]

No problem

Generally, pine bark isn't the best option, but it won't hurt your snake. Next time I would go with aspen bedding if you like the look of a loose substrate.

[WaRocker]

NO CEDAR AT ALL!!!!!

Now I to am not a big on repti carpet but if you must. Get 2 so you can wash 1 while you use the other.
My personal opinion is to use white papertowels and provent a mite for 1-1/2 month. Treat all like they have mites then you know your collection / snake will not have them or give them to the rest.
My personal choice for bedding is Aspen. It will let you do a few spot cleaning before you have to clean all out.
As far as misting ,I do this every night when I see they are in blue eye. I have a great shed every time. Then clean & dry tank-cage-rack. Cause the aspen will tend to mold.

Again ....NO CEDAR PLEASE!!!

not trying to yell but stress this will kill your pet.

[BPelizabeth]

Hey listen to Kaorte...she knows her stuff. Get yourself some Eco Earth or aspen...or cypress....but make sure the cypress is 100% cypress...I have heard that it can be mixed with stuff that is NOT good. Pine has an oil in it that is bad for snakes as well.


You can spray the tank...when mine are in shed....I spray once in the AM and once in the afternoon and once in the evening. You can also foil off the top of the screen if you have a viv. Also maybe a humid hide would work just use spagnum moss and dampen it a little. Something else I have done is moved the water dish to the hot side...that helps increase the humidity as well. But as K said....go to wally world or lowes and get a accurite. They are the best!!

Good luck and welcome to the obsession!

[strangefamous]

HAHA! thanks for the warm welcome. I will do make the trip to Home Depot tonight.

[strangefamous]

How long after feeding can you handle a ball python? Is 24 hours good enough? All my corn snakes I have had in the past were fine with handling after feeding but my BP seems to be a but uncomfortable. I have been leaving her alone for a good 3 days after eating. Just making sure everything is clean for her and the temps and humidity are perfect. Just wondering

[WaRocker]

How long after feeding can you handle a ball python? Is 24 hours good enough? All my corn snakes I have had in the past were fine with handling after feeding but my BP seems to be a but uncomfortable. I have been leaving her alone for a good 3 days after eating. Just making sure everything is clean for her and the temps and humidity are perfect. Just wondering

2 days is the best. But for some reason you have to hold the next day (24hr) then be carful and not to over hold. Like to clean out tub or something. I have had to the next day but it was a quick full supported hold to clean rack out. on day 2 then you should be able to hold fairly normal. and day 3 your good 2 go.....

[strangefamous]

Awesome. Thanks for the info bud.