Size

[Billturff]

I've owned the snake for 3 years this June. thats what i dont understand about his size.

[BuckeyeBalls]

my set up I use a 100watt heating bulb. 40gal terrarium with cedar substrate. log hide. twisty kinda driftwoodish thing with fake vines weaved through it. and a water dish. the temp is usually around 80degrees and humidity is usually around 40 or 50 %

I'll get some picutes up soon of the set up.

Hmm well idk if a 40 gallong would be to big for him i think it may.

You should really not use a lamp under tank heaters are much better for ball pythons.

And umm cedar? that is TOXIC and can kill your snake!!!!

Also the log hide = crap. The sides are to open doesnt provide the proper security a snake needs. Not to mention you should have 2 hides one on each side so he doesnt choose security over comfort.

[Billturff]

I'll make sure to make some changes ASAP!
First the cedar....then i'll get a smaller tank till he gets a bit larger.
I'll take care of the light and get a pad. and try out some different hides.

Any other advice as far as feeding and what I can do to get him to grow?

[BuckeyeBalls]

I'll make sure to make some changes ASAP!
First the cedar....then i'll get a smaller tank till he gets a bit larger.
I'll take care of the light and get a pad. and try out some different hides.

Any other advice as far as feeding and what I can do to get him to grow?

Well if you get a heat pad u need a thermostat. I know some people here are completely against using lights. I think lights are ok IF you can keep the temps up and provide them to thermoregulate. Grated belly heat IS better some heat is better then none.

The 40g i think is to big because people generally keep adults in smaller then that.

Also you need 2 TIGHT fitting hides

As far as feeding goes do you have a gram scale you can use?

Most people feed juvies under 500 grams like on a 4 day schedule. I feed every 5 days but as they get bigger you want to cut back to 7 days.

Also if u get a gram scale weight him and feed him 10-15% of his body weight if hes like under 1,000 grams

Btw dont take it as everything you do is wrong. I understand you have had him for 3 years and he is living and healthy but making sure his enclosure is perfect to what he needs is always better.

[A.VinczeBPs]

I'll make sure to make some changes ASAP!
First the cedar....then i'll get a smaller tank till he gets a bit larger.
I'll take care of the light and get a pad. and try out some different hides.

Any other advice as far as feeding and what I can do to get him to grow?

Go to rats if you can. The size of the food should be about the same size as the thickest part of the ball python. Or 15% of body weight.

Schedule: get one. Don't mean to sound rude, but you can't forget a week, for his health it's just not good to do.

UTH, you need one (under tank heater) along with a thermostat (not thermometer, thermostat, biiiiiig deal, have to have).

Smaller tank, for his age maybe 30 gal if you can. If not, add more leafy things to make him feel hidden.
You need two hides, identical, on the hot side and the cool side.

He's too small to be three years, he should be almost full grown by now.

Good luck, welcome to the site, and read the care-sheets.

EDIT: Forgot the bedding, cedar is horrible. I suggest paper towel, newspaper, or good old fashion reliable aspen. Cheap and easy to clean.

[stevepoppers]

Here, check out the caresheet. I think it'll answer a lot of your questions.

Make sure you also get a thermostat for the heating pad as they tend to go out of control. The cheapest is the Reptitemp 500R. Look online.

Provide a thermal gradient, about 92 hot side, 82 cool side. Measure this with a thermometer with a probe. Everyone recommends this $12 AccuRite that is almost always at Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

Feeding the snake 10-15% of it's bodyweight is recommended, so it may take a few mice. I think most people feed once a week.

[Billturff]

I do currently have a thermostat in the tank with the gauge that reads the humidity as well.
What size tank would you recommend?
I'll probably just throw up a normal light just to brighten the tank up at times and use the pad for the majority of the heat.
I'll try and pick up a scale too. I feed frozen...well I thaw them out in warm water before hand.
What might you recommend for hides?
Should I maybe get ride of the twisty wood thing? lol

[Billturff]

thanks steve i'll check into that also!
You're all very helpful!

[bsash]

Don't forget to get a thermostat to control the temperature of the under the tank heat mat, you hot side should be 90- 94 degrees, and your cool side should be 80- 85 degrees.

Another thing that I did not see mentioned, was humidity. Humidity is needed if you don't want to wind up with stuck sheds. Try to keep the humidity in the tank at 50- 60% on regular days, and 60- 70% when they are in shed.

Rats are a little bit better as far as getting them to grow a little bit faster, but the snake may not switch to rats right away, some can be finicky eaters.

I would not suggest spending the money on a smaller tank, if the snake is an established eater for you. I would however, suggest putting in some fake plants and trees to crowd it up a little bit, that would make the snake feel a little more secure.

Hides are very important, try to find something that fits them fairly tightly, but only has a small opening to get through, and you will need two, one for the cool side and one for the hot side. Having two hides is important, because snakes will risk staying where they feel secure, rather than what is better for their health.

[Billturff]

And thanks for that info vince i'll see about the rats.
I agree I shouldn't skip a feeding I want him to be healthy :\