Question on buying a "hood" for my BP's terrarium.(Advice please)

[BPelizabeth]

Oh food...shoot I forgot about that....

this was one of the hardest things for me at first. Go by the largest girth of your snake....that should be the width of the food.

Typically a young snake ...50 grams ..will take a small adult... They recommend when young and small a 5 day schedule. When adults a 7 day schedule. I have always went with a 7 day schedule but feed them as much as they want. IE-offer 1 approp. sized mouse....when finished if they want another I will let them have it. (I have some that only want one...others that are huge pigs...lol)

And don't be offended...no one is going off on you....but seriously some great advice given here

[JLC]

Wow you come on here to ask question, people tell you the answers from YEARS of experience. (some people have 20+ years keeping snakes) And you are telling the BP.net community that we are wrong.
All that is being offered is help whether you like what we have to say or not it's the proper not "proper" way to house your snake.

Just to cover the basics:
Your cage is too big
You don't need a screen hood, a plexiglass sheet cut to size would work
You don't need a heat lamp
Your feeding needs to be every 7 days and a smaller meal
4 UTH can be fixed by insulating the sides of the tank (3 sides need to be covered anyway)
And that is just a few things..........

This sort of confrontational attitude isn't really helpful.

And to touch on the specific comments you made...

Your cage is too big
-- Not necessarily...some balls do just fine in larger enclosures and if that is what they prefer and they don't mind putting in the extra work it takes to maintain it, then there's nothing wrong with it.

You don't need a screen hood, a plexiglass sheet cut to size would work
-- There must be some sort of air exchange going on. A solid plexiglass top would be unhealthy, at best.

You don't need a heat lamp
-- You don't know that. If the home is kept cool, a heat lamp may be an essential supplement to keep the overall ambient temps up enough.

Your feeding needs to be every 7 days and a smaller meal
-- Smaller than what? It already seems like they may be feeding a little smaller than optimal...but since we can't actually see the snake or the prey item, we really can't judge that at all. All we can go on is the little bit of description they've offered.

4 UTH can be fixed by insulating the sides of the tank (3 sides need to be covered anyway)
-- This is actually a pretty novel idea. Never thought of it or seen it suggested before this. A person would need two different thermostats to make a set-up like this work...one for the heater UNDER the tank to create a warm basking spot...and a second for the three heaters on the sides to maintain a steady ambient temp. Not 100% sure if this would work in a really cool room, but it might be worth trying.

[MitsuMike]

This sort of confrontational attitude isn't really helpful.

And to touch on the specific comments you made...

Your cage is too big
-- Not necessarily...some balls do just fine in larger enclosures and if that is what they prefer and they don't mind putting in the extra work it takes to maintain it, then there's nothing wrong with it.

You don't need a screen hood, a plexiglass sheet cut to size would work
-- There must be some sort of air exchange going on. A solid plexiglass top would be unhealthy, at best.

You don't need a heat lamp
-- You don't know that. If the home is kept cool, a heat lamp may be an essential supplement to keep the overall ambient temps up enough.

Your feeding needs to be every 7 days and a smaller meal
-- Smaller than what? It already seems like they may be feeding a little smaller than optimal...but since we can't actually see the snake or the prey item, we really can't judge that at all. All we can go on is the little bit of description they've offered.

4 UTH can be fixed by insulating the sides of the tank (3 sides need to be covered anyway)
-- This is actually a pretty novel idea. Never thought of it or seen it suggested before this. A person would need two different thermostats to make a set-up like this work...one for the heater UNDER the tank to create a warm basking spot...and a second for the three heaters on the sides to maintain a steady ambient temp. Not 100% sure if this would work in a really cool room, but it might be worth trying.

Agreed, I was a bit harsh. But it was quite rude of someone to ask for help and then deny it but that is neither here nor there. The OP is here to learn so let me elaborate on the following that JLC got confused on.

As far as the plexiglass top instead of the screen it will work just fine. All that needs to be done is a few holes drilled in the lid like people do for the tubs and you get airflow and humidity.

Food wise, the prey being offered was a large rat. Most people feed mediums at max to their adult females. Large rats might be the width or the proper size but can get the BP fat and thus leading to an unhealthly life.

As far as keeping ambient temps up do the following along with the plexiglass lid:
You can go the UTH on the side walls route if this doesn't work first
Buy cork board and cut to fit the 3 sides of the tank and tape them on. This should help keep the glass from dissipating the heat from the tank out into the external environment. If this doesn't work invest in some flexwatt which is cheap and wrap the 3 sides of the tank in it (1 strip running along all sides). Then place the cork board on top of that. Set thermostat to the ambient temp needed and the flexwatt should heat the tank likewise.

[JLC]

As far as the plexiglass top instead of the screen it will work just fine. All that needs to be done is a few holes drilled in the lid like people do for the tubs and you get airflow and humidity.

True enough...drilling holes would make that work.

Food wise, the prey being offered was a large rat. Most people feed mediums at max to their adult females. Large rats might be the width or the proper size but can get the BP fat and thus leading to an unhealthly life.

Not sure where you got the large rat from, as they specifically said they're feeding fuzzy mice...although the current fuzzies are bigger than the first fuzzies they offered?

I will agree with the general principle that just because an adult bp can eat a large rat doesn't mean that they need to. But I also believe that this issue falls under the "there's no single right way to do things" umbrella... a large rat fed less frequently than a medium rat (for instance) will not necessarily lead to an obese snake.

As far as keeping ambient temps up do the following along with the plexiglass lid:
You can go the UTH on the side walls route if this doesn't work first
Buy cork board and cut to fit the 3 sides of the tank and tape them on. This should help keep the glass from dissipating the heat from the tank out into the external environment. If this doesn't work invest in some flexwatt which is cheap and wrap the 3 sides of the tank in it (1 strip running along all sides). Then place the cork board on top of that. Set thermostat to the ambient temp needed and the flexwatt should heat the tank likewise.

I really do like this idea of wrapping some flexwatt around the three sides of the tank and insulating it...so long as it's carefully controlled with a reliable thermostat. I may seriously consider this when the time comes that I may want a nice display setup for a creature that needs specifically warm temps.

[MitsuMike]

I read this from the non OP and thought it was the OP

I feed her a large rat every 14 days (may have to extend the timing because she is quite thick bodied)

[Superpop]

Seriously no one here is attempting to offend you by any means

I concur that most people in this thread are trying to help me but honestly I do feel I have been "attacked" by a few people...mostly by Old Sloppy and MitsuMike and now I feel I should respond to them:

The guy behind the cash register said so......(He,He,He)
He just wanted me to pry open my wallet a little wider. (He,He,He)

Harry

I already stated I don't take the people who work at pet stores advice seriously and furthermore nobody at the pet stores have tried to force UVB bulbs up us anyway!

And even furthermore I doubt people who work at pet stores work on commission and that would mean their paychecks don't rely on what is sold!

Thank you for pretending I am some sort of naive idiot though! I really do appreciate that sort of sentiment!

Wow you come on here to ask question, people tell you the answers from YEARS of experience. (some people have 20+ years keeping snakes) And you are telling the BP.net community that we are wrong.

I asked a question about a hood and I got anwers to it and I accepted the answers I was given and decided not to buy that hood. I never even asked asked about getting her a different enclose.

I also NEVER told people they were wrong either. Perhaps you should re-read my posts. I have been nothing but polite to people on here. I appreciate the responses I get from MOST people on here even if it seems we come to a "wall" on the UVB issue.

I however to do take offense to you though because not only have you created a lie about me: Saying I told people they were "wrong" when I didn't.

But you have also misread the thread and accused me of things I have not done.(rat's vs. fuzzies)

And you have also suggested things for my snake tank (Plexiglass lid) that have been dispelled by someone with more posts than you and ultimately that makes you you a total hypocrite for calling me out on not agreeing to everything I am told on here when you don't even yourself!

Also her tank is not too big. As JLC already stated it depends on the snake. Our snake has done just fine in a 40 gallon and is very active many nights crawling all over the place. She also doesn't refuse food.

Truly, I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I am curious where you have seen this debate about UV light and ball pythons.

First I want to thank you because you have been nothing but nice and I don't mind debating and discussing things with people. I just don't like attacking type responses.

As for what I have read:

UV Light Source: - Although there is a lot of controversy regarding the use of UV supplementation with snakes, many herpetologists wouldn't be without one. It has therefore been included here as a suggestion and the recommended type for snakes until further scientific research proves otherwise is a 2.0 UV light. This should be left on for 8 to 12 hours a day and replaced every 6 months unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer. Care should be taken however if your snake is albino as the light intensity could have detrimental effects on the eyes of your snake. Vitamin D3 supplements should not be used as well as a UV light.

http://www.redtailboa.net/forums/sna...ll-python.html

I know this whole they do not need it crap, they are nocturnal, Blah Blah. Many breeders keep them with no lights what so ever with out any issues. I personally recommend UV light sources for all reptiles. UV-B helps to metabolize calcium and phosphorus and in the production of D3, yes even in snakes and nocturnal lizards.Exposure to UV-B lighting has shown an increase in 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations in corn snakes, so this is likely for other snakes as well. Hopefully more studies like this will be done. UV-A is stimulative activity and appetite, among other possible behaviors as ball pythons and many other snakes see in the UV light spectrum.

http://www.naturalsunscreen.org/uv-l...-ball-pythons/

Place the cage in sunlight or provide the snake with a UV light bulb. Ball pythons need UV light to produce vitamin D. Small aquarium bulbs that fit inside terrariums are generally available in stores
that sell snake supplies.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4425581_take...ll-python.html

In the wild, reptiles naturally need UV or at least a hot spot where they can regulate their body temperature. Ball pythons, like all snakes, are poikilothermic and can sometimes devolop health problems if not given proper care, so I wouldn't take a risk. Get UV lighting!

http://community.discovery.com/eve/f...8/m/1811987609

And I can find many more. To me this just seems like a debated topic with no definitive answer and therefore I feel more comfortable having one.

I also don't like the cage that cinderbird suggested because I like having a infrared bulb so we can watch her at night.

---------------------------

Anyway....

Does anybody know of somewhere I can buy a lid like this that fits a 40 gallon tank?



Or maybe a lid where half of the lid slides under the other half? I don't like moving the lights every night and taking off the entire lid to access her tank.

[iCandiBallPythons]

Not trying to change your mind about what you want, but have you seen the vission enclosures such as these http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...th-extra-vent/ or these http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/.../visionariums/ if im not mistaken they have models that you can use a strip light and heat bulb. This way it allows you full access inside the enclosure without worrying about the lights. Im sorry I dont have any ideas about those lids

[JLC]

I appreciate you providing links and quotes to such things. Honestly, in all my years of doing this, I've never personally run across a single soul that insisted (or implied) that ball pythons needed UV light. Personally, I'll go with what the Barkers say about the matter, as they have more education AND more experience in this field than anyone on THIS site or on any of the others you mentioned.

I simply can't help you with that screen lid. It looks cool. But you may have to keep looking for an alternative. The cages mentioned as ideas for you to consider can be rigged with UV and with a night bulb if you really wanted to. If not those exact cages, then others like them. Or you might consider creating a custom screen top that you build yourself. Some wood for frames...screen...hinges....maybe a little stain to make the wood pretty. It wouldn't be very costly at all....just take some careful thought and measuring to get it right.

Good luck.

[MitsuMike]

I asked a question about a hood and I got anwers to it and I accepted the answers I was given and decided not to buy that hood. I never even asked asked about getting her a different enclose.

I also NEVER told people they were wrong either. Perhaps you should re-read my posts. I have been nothing but polite to people on here. I appreciate the responses I get from MOST people on here even if it seems we come to a "wall" on the UVB issue.

I however to do take offense to you though because not only have you created a lie about me: Saying I told people they were "wrong" when I didn't.

But you have also misread the thread and accused me of things I have not done.(rat's vs. fuzzies)

And you have also suggested things for my snake tank (Plexiglass lid) that have been dispelled by someone with more posts than you and ultimately that makes you you a total hypocrite for calling me out on not agreeing to everything I am told on here when you don't even yourself!

You know what, just do what you want.
But just to make you feel stupid, if you would READ like you told me to do. My plexiglass idea was not dispelled b/c I told JLC how it would work and I quote "True enough...drilling holes would make that work." And if you think it doesn't work go tell that to some of the top breeders who do the same thing at shows, but you know more than them right?
So EVERYTHING that I suggested has been what? Oh yea..........right. So as for me not knowing what I am talking about..........keep thinking that.
And as for telling the community we are wrong, it wasn't a direct actual telling but it is implied in VERY post you make. I know your type, you do crappy "research" that has no backing and now you think your the expert. But all we are doing to help with the rest of the setup (even though you don't ask for help we feel inclined due to the love we have for proper care of these snakes) and you blow ppl off.
It's just tough love, so keep acting all abused cuz you have been "attacked".
Jeez I wish Big Guns was back!

[Cody John Steele]

Personally I think there is no right or wrong way to do anything in the snake world. It's all just a matter of opinion, and how somebody likes doing something.