Considering a BP...

[Sunbreeze327]

I've loved snakes since I was a little girl, and now I'm in a good position to keep a docile one. I have some questions after doing research (sorry if this post is long).

The room the BP would be in has baseboard heaters in it. Can these make controlling the temperature in the tank more difficult?

Is UTH the best way to go for ambient heat? I gather that this works best with a glass tank because of the space between the heat mat and the glass.

Do BP's need regular vet checks for general health?

How well do they travel? For instance, if I went to visit family 12 hours away, would a BP handle a trip in the car alright or is it better to leave it in its familiar place and have someone check on the snake while I'm gone?

Can anyone recommend a particular breeder in NJ, or nearby? I've noticed that many breeders will ship their snakes. How do BP's handle being shipped?

I've read that BP's vary in their preferences for being handled. Does this depend a lot on how they've been raised? What are the signs of a snake that doesn't like to be handled? While I'm obviously not after a big cuddling pet, I'd like to enjoy having my BP hang out with me at times without stressing it.

Female or male? I've read that males will sometimes go on hunger strikes while it's breeding season. This doesn't bother me, but is one gender more amiable or "easier" than the other?

And for food... it needs to be thawed and warmed (not cooked) before feeding. Does this produce a bad smell at all?

Thank you!

[Monster Dodge]

I've loved snakes since I was a little girl, and now I'm in a good position to keep a docile one. I have some questions after doing research (sorry if this post is long).

The room the BP would be in has baseboard heaters in it. Can these make controlling the temperature in the tank more difficult? I would use a rack type setup because of this. Cheaper and you will eventually want more. Trust me!!

Is UTH the best way to go for ambient heat? I gather that this works best with a glass tank because of the space between the heat mat and the glass.

Do BP's need regular vet checks for general health? Not really. Only if you witness something out of the ordinary but annual check ups can't hurt

How well do they travel? For instance, if I went to visit family 12 hours away, would a BP handle a trip in the car alright or is it better to leave it in its familiar place and have someone check on the snake while I'm gone? I think you would really stress out the snake this way. It would be best if you had someone take care of it while you were gone.

Can anyone recommend a particular breeder in NJ, or nearby? I've noticed that many breeders will ship their snakes. How do BP's handle being shipped?You should check out the shows that are monthly in Harve De Grace Maryland. Not to far of a trip for you and you can see and hold what your buying.

I've read that BP's vary in their preferences for being handled. Does this depend a lot on how they've been raised? What are the signs of a snake that doesn't like to be handled? While I'm obviously not after a big cuddling pet, I'd like to enjoy having my BP hang out with me at times without stressing it. It varies. Different snakes have different personalities. But even the fiestiest of Balls can be tamed down. For the most part though they are very docile.

Female or male? I've read that males will sometimes go on hunger strikes while it's breeding season. This doesn't bother me, but is one gender more amiable or "easier" than the other?

And for food... it needs to be thawed and warmed (not cooked) before feeding. Does this produce a bad smell at all? Put the rat/mouse in a ziplock baggy in hot water till thaw and you will be good to go

Thank you!

[Black_Shark]

I've loved snakes since I was a little girl, and now I'm in a good position to keep a docile one. I have some questions after doing research (sorry if this post is long).

The room the BP would be in has baseboard heaters in it. Can these make controlling the temperature in the tank more difficult? Build a Rack or buy one. Much easier to control temps/humidity and like theabove poster said, you will want more!

Is UTH the best way to go for ambient heat? I gather that this works best with a glass tank because of the space between the heat mat and the glass. Yes, UTH or flexwatt heat tape is the best way to go imo. Reptilebasics.com has everything you need and more! Edit: I also use heat cable wired through an empty spot in my rack above my BP so that the heat radiates through the wood and down into her tub. This raises the air temps to 80+ and works wonderfully!

Do BP's need regular vet checks for general health? No, they do not.

How well do they travel? For instance, if I went to visit family 12 hours away, would a BP handle a trip in the car alright or is it better to leave it in its familiar place and have someone check on the snake while I'm gone? Do not travel with the snake. Leave it in its enclosure with 2 water bowls (in case it poops in one while your gone) and it will be fine for 1-2 weeks if its an adult and 1 week for a juvy.

Can anyone recommend a particular breeder in NJ, or nearby? I've noticed that many breeders will ship their snakes. How do BP's handle being shipped? Look online, whether it be a breeder or on this site, or faunaclassifieds.com and find something you like. Then have it shipped to you for usually around $50 bucks plus original price of snake. BP's handle shipping well but should be left alone for the first week then after hat try to feed them. Once they are fed and yuo have waited 48 hours, you can handle and just flat out enjoy you snakes company!

I've read that BP's vary in their preferences for being handled. Does this depend a lot on how they've been raised? What are the signs of a snake that doesn't like to be handled? While I'm obviously not after a big cuddling pet, I'd like to enjoy having my BP hang out with me at times without stressing it. While true that BP's vary in their preferences, most do not mind being handled. Mine, for example, seems to enjoy it and will relax in my lap for 1-2 hours while watching a movie/tv. She especially seems to enjoy me giving her a "massage" and will stretch out and when i stop will turn around and look at me. Very interesting. On the other hand, some prefer to be left alone and will become stressed when handled. The signs include hiding of the head, constant searching for a hiding spot, striking, hissing, pooping, peeing etc. Overall, I would say that most, if not all, BP's can be tamed down to the point that you can handle them in relative comfort.

Female or male? I've read that males will sometimes go on hunger strikes while it's breeding season. This doesn't bother me, but is one gender more amiable or "easier" than the other? Really doesn't matter unless breeding. Males tend to be smaller than females on average but otherwise, go with what snake you like. (Even though I swear that female snakes PMS )

And for food... it needs to be thawed and warmed (not cooked) before feeding. Does this produce a bad smell at all? Put the rat.mouse in hot water, let it sit for 10-20 minutes, serve up on a silver platter and watch your snake go to town! And the only time you get a bad smell is if you te sake hits it so hard it explodes which has happened with my Florida King! He gets a tad excited and wants to show that mouse whos boss!

Thank you!

If you have anymore questions, let me know and I'll be glad to help!

Oh yeah, don't forget a decent thermostat. Reptitemp 500r works well for cheap! Herpstat and Helix are much better though!

[Sunbreeze327]

Thanks for the info! I just want to be sure that if I do take on a BP, I'm doing it right...

I'm not really in the position to have more than one snake right now, just to make sure that I can take care of it properly to start. I've been trying to find out more about tub setups since they seem easier to manage humidity and temperature in. I'm combing the forums, but can anyone provide how they set up the UTH and the basking heat without risk to the plastic tub or creating a fire hazard? I've not been finding much info on that... thanks!

[Vypyrz]

When using tubs, you just set the UTH up with a thermostat, just like a glass enclosure. A regulated UTH will not melt the plastic.
The easiest way is:

Attach thermostat probe to bottom of tub...



Attach UTH to bottom of tub over the probe...

[Sunbreeze327]

Thank you! That's exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate the pics. I think my next step is to see how well I can regulate a setup before looking for a snake. I'd hate to get one and start having problems with the heat and humidity.

Thanks again!

[Vypyrz]

Thank you! That's exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate the pics. I think my next step is to see how well I can regulate a setup before looking for a snake. I'd hate to get one and start having problems with the heat and humidity.

Thanks again!

That's a good plan. Just decide on a set-up first. I would suggest setting up a tub first. If you don't like the way it looks, you can always move everything over to a tank and use the tub to keep stuff in.
Here is what my tub set-up looks like...

[Sunbreeze327]

Your tub corner is pretty nifty; I like how the space is devoted to just the snake keeping. Does the hot end of the UTH take care of the basking temperature too? Or do people have to add a basking light to just glass enclosures because they're harder in maintaining temp?

For hides, I've seen some people use cleaned food tubs or kitty litter pans with a hole cut out. Does the snake risk getting cut on those sorts of hides?

So far my tub setup list is comprised of the following:

Tub (size determined by size of snake) with securely locking lid and possibly baggage straps and/or binder clips. Holes put in with drill or solder.

A shelf for the tub to sit on

UTH (1/2 to 1/3 size of tub bottom)

Thermostat, digital for accurate reading with probe to go with UTH and to read humidity too

Thermometer to go inside tub (one at each end?)

Substrate, two hides, any natural "clutter" if some space needs to be filled in, a water bowl big enough for soaking

And obviously, the snake!

Am I missing anything? Thanks!

[wax32]

So far my tub setup list is comprised of the following:

Tub (size determined by size of snake) with securely locking lid and possibly baggage straps and/or binder clips. Holes put in with drill or solder. For a baby BP, get a 15 qt sterilite tub. For sure solder the holes... much cleaner looking. Start with a FEW holes and add more if your humidity is too high.

A shelf for the tub to sit on

UTH (1/2 to 1/3 size of tub bottom)

Thermostat, digital for accurate reading with probe to go with UTH and to read humidity too The thermostat just controls the heat of the UTH.

Thermometer to go inside tub (one at each end?) Get one that also reads humidity (wal-mart sells decent ones).

Substrate, two hides, any natural "clutter" if some space needs to be filled in, a water bowl big enough for soaking The water bowl doesn't NEED to be big enough for soaking.

And obviously, the snake!

Am I missing anything? Thanks!

I do my UTH a little different. I tape the thermostat probe to the UTH and don't tape or stick the UTH to the tub at all, just put it on top of the UTH. This makes it easier to clean the tub.

Sounds like you are doing your research and should be successful with your first snake. They really are addictive!

[wax32]

I've loved snakes since I was a little girl, and now I'm in a good position to keep a docile one. I have some questions after doing research (sorry if this post is long).

The room the BP would be in has baseboard heaters in it. Can these make controlling the temperature in the tank more difficult? Nope, unless the room goes above 80 degrees.


Is UTH the best way to go for ambient heat? I gather that this works best with a glass tank because of the space between the heat mat and the glass. I think they work better with tubs! No glass to get all crazy hot.

Do BP's need regular vet checks for general health? Nope. Although you will want to find a good reptile vet halfway close to you, just in case.

How well do they travel? For instance, if I went to visit family 12 hours away, would a BP handle a trip in the car alright or is it better to leave it in its familiar place and have someone check on the snake while I'm gone? As long as you aren't gone for more than a week, you don't need to worry about the snake at all. Maybe give it a little extra water.

Can anyone recommend a particular breeder in NJ, or nearby? I've noticed that many breeders will ship their snakes. How do BP's handle being shipped? They handle being shipped well!

I've read that BP's vary in their preferences for being handled. Does this depend a lot on how they've been raised? What are the signs of a snake that doesn't like to be handled? While I'm obviously not after a big cuddling pet, I'd like to enjoy having my BP hang out with me at times without stressing it. Most of them don't mind being handled.

Female or male? I've read that males will sometimes go on hunger strikes while it's breeding season. This doesn't bother me, but is one gender more amiable or "easier" than the other? Males tend to stay smaller.

And for food... it needs to be thawed and warmed (not cooked) before feeding. Does this produce a bad smell at all? Nope!

Thank you!

Sorry for answering out of order!