Did i do this right??????????

[blackcrystal22]

frenchy, first of all let me apologize for laughing at your setup, and floridayank22 is correct in that some people have made it work by raising bps in large enclosures. Afterall in the wild, they aren't confined to a little tiny area. It has eaten for you in this setup correct? Does it have several small, tight hides it can feel comfortable in? Have you tried prescenting the room with its prey prior to feeding? I bet if you keep the live mouse/rat in a small critter keeper inside the tank an hour before feeding, you'll have your ball peeking out of its hide ready to eat.

Well, actually they do. They live primarily in termite mounds and pre-dug burrows. So confinement is in their nature.

20 Gallon is still too big in my opinion. Yes, some bps will do fine in a large tank, but if it's a problem feeder then the first step is to get it into a small 10 or 15 gallon tank or a 15q tub.

Petstore employees tend to give very questionable information.

[frenchy]

Well she is an early 2010 shes right around 450 grams I have had her in the tank for since I got her and no problems just recently but GOOD NEWS IS SHE ATE A LIVE MOUSE TODAY!!!!!!!!!


Side note I dont not take anything you guys or girls say as mean I am new and yoy are just trying to help CONSTRUCTIVE CRITSISM no big deal thank you everyone


She was switch over to rat pups no provlem then she just got.scared of them all of a sudden no she didnt get bitvor nothing so idk.

[PitOnTheProwl]

First things I noticed,
1-Zilla t-stat
2-cord going under tank for UTH

What i dont see is a gap between your tank and the dresser. did you use the little rubber feet that came with the UTH? I am asking because even with the t-stat, it will get really hot without any airflow under the tank.

[MarkieJ]

Well, actually they do. They live primarily in termite mounds and pre-dug burrows. So confinement is in their nature.

And that is why you provide hides for them. They are not confined to one mound/burrow their entire lives. How often do you see your bps roaming their tub? Mine roam a lot unless they've recently eaten. I don't think food, water, and a thermostatically controlled environment is delivered to them at their convenience in the wild. I raised my first ball for several years from hatchling to adult in a 20 gallon long aquarium with a multitude of students peering at it, holding it, and watching it feed in a separate cardboard box. These aren't the sensitive little creatures we all make them seem to be.

Congrats on your ball feeding frenchy. I didn't realize it already had some decent size to it. Your likely experiencing your first winter with a ball python where feeding can be sporadic, or not at all. I wouldn't be surprised if you had a breeding-sized female, if your little guy would put in some work.

[frenchy]

Lol at the pastel is my female shes way too small to breed only 450 grams lol I have a male lemonblast who is at almost 600 grams who will be breeding

[blackcrystal22]

And that is why you provide hides for them. They are not confined to one mound/burrow their entire lives. How often do you see your bps roaming their tub? Mine roam a lot unless they've recently eaten. I don't think food, water, and a thermostatically controlled environment is delivered to them at their convenience in the wild. I raised my first ball for several years from hatchling to adult in a 20 gallon long aquarium with a multitude of students peering at it, holding it, and watching it feed in a separate cardboard box. These aren't the sensitive little creatures we all make them seem to be.

Congrats on your ball feeding frenchy. I didn't realize it already had some decent size to it. Your likely experiencing your first winter with a ball python where feeding can be sporadic, or not at all. I wouldn't be surprised if you had a breeding-sized female, if your little guy would put in some work.

I don't use hides in my racks unless it's a problem feeder. (I only have one bp that won't eat without a hide.) But my tubs are desirable size that doesn't stress them out. I rarely see mine roam, especially not during the day. Honestly, a roaming snake is a stressed bp, but a happy bp stays hidden most of it's life.
Some ball pythons can be more active, sure, but usually if a ball python is roaming it's due to stress and is trying to find a more secure place to hide.

Ball pythons are quite sensitive in captivity, though. Many other snakes seem to adapt easily in captivity. I've never had a problem feeding corn snake or king snake. I'm sure it definitely happens, but not as frequently as ball pythons go off feed.

Ball pythons spend weeks in their termite mounds. Rain water will gather in the termite mound depths so they don't have any reason to leave their mound. They also hunt from the safety of their mounds awaiting small rodents to pass by the entrance.