Just got a new Pastel Ball Python....

[NightLad]

I found a suction cup from a different thermometer, and I was able to rig it to the thermometer im using right now. I took out the adhesive square just to be safe.

That’s fantastic! I didn't want to freak you out or anything, but there are many posts that deal with un-sticking a stuck BP that wound up in tape or other adhesive mediums. Generally... not fun. For some reason they seem attracted to it like a moth to a flame!

would I be able to get some hides like the ones you have in those pictures at walmart? I have 2 hides right now but they arnt identical sadly.... because I love them both and they look great in my tank.

I got those at a reptile expo for .50 cents each. I knew that I'd want something that looked more 'natural' when he got bigger, so they were just temporary. Now I'm using fake rock hides that actually look rather good.

You can find similar fake-rock hides on a smaller scale, but they are a little pricy. I think they go for around $6-10 each (and he will outgrow them soon enough). I've seen them in pet stores, not sure about WallMart. You will find them at a reptile expo for sure.

If the hides you have are working for you, than I'd leave it alone for now. So long as he is using them and eatting, not showing signs of stress, than he may accept them and be just fine.

And Salzedo says 'thankssssss'!

[PurplePython]

I got my ambient air temperature to around 84 degrees. I put the 50 wat red bulb on a dimmer as well, and I am currently working on adjusting it.

Is 84 a little too high for ambient air temp?

Also, I fixed my humidity problem and UTH problem. My humidity is now reading around 58 % and my UTH is reading about 93 degrees. My reptitemp 500r should arrive tomarow though, so I can take off these dimmers and hook up my stuff to the reptitemp and have it more steady.

[PurplePython]

I also was able to find a 4-pack of some small plastic bowls at walmart and I was able to cut a little opening in 2 of them and replace his current hides with these ones. I made sure to use a nail file to sand down the edges of the cuts and also that little pokey bump on the bottom of plastic bowls. as soon as I replaces his hides last night he went right into one of the new homemade plastic bowl hides.

[Kaorte]

84 is a touch high for ambient temps. You want about a 10* temperature gradient from 90-93* to 80-83*. Having your ambient temps a little higher isn't bad though.

Glad he likes the new hides!

[PurplePython]

Okay I got the ambient air temp down to about 83 degrees.

So far everything is looking great.

Hot spot temperature - 92 degrees
Ambient air temperature - 83 degrees
Humidity - 62 %

Now that I have everything settled, I will try to finally give this little guy a full 7 days before handling him again.

I plan on feeding him on thursday, should I just put newspaper down over the substrate, and let him eat inside his enclosure over the newspaper?

[Kaorte]

Okay I got the ambient air temp down to about 83 degrees.

So far everything is looking great.

Hot spot temperature - 92 degrees
Ambient air temperature - 83 degrees
Humidity - 62 %

Now that I have everything settled, I will try to finally give this little guy a full 7 days before handling him again.

I plan on feeding him on thursday, should I just put newspaper down over the substrate, and let him eat inside his enclosure over the newspaper?

That is fine, although you don't *really* need the newspaper. I have never heard of this species becoming impacted from ingesting bedding.

[PurplePython]

Good to hear! Now the last thing I have to do is just wait for the reptitemp 500r to arrive

[PurplePython]

my REPTITEMP 500R arrived today!

[PurplePython]

How do I set up the probe on the REPTITEMP 500R?

It has no adhesive back on it or anything. Should I tape it or use some adhesive on it and place it above the glass right on top of the heating pad, then cover it back up with substrate?

[Kaorte]

How do I set up the probe on the REPTITEMP 500R?

It has no adhesive back on it or anything. Should I tape it or use some adhesive on it and place it above the glass right on top of the heating pad, then cover it back up with substrate?

Use aluminum tape and tape it to the outside bottom of the UTH (outside the enclosure). If it was in the enclosure, the snake could move it causing the UTH to over heat.