My new enclosure got a few questions/concerns?

[Raf702]

Hello All! This is my very first BP I'll be getting tomorrow! I just put my setup together today in my Sterilite container, 45qt; approx. 11gal. I'm using a 10-20g size Zoo med UTH, and a 75w infared heat bulb. Everything looks pretty good, just waiting for the temps to reach it's appropriate temps. By completing my setting up now, I can inspect everything and it will be ready once I get my BP tomorrow. And I'm pretty excited, it's a male Pastel BP, around 4-5 months old.

Also does this sound correct. The Thermostat probe is taped directly on top of the UTH from the inside of the enclosure? And do I adjust the Thermostat between 90-95 deg, or higher so that it can raise the temp along the substrate of the hot side? Then I'll have my UTH and Heat lamp plugged into the Thermostat.

Then I have my digital thermometer probe on the substrate close to the hide box of the hot side. To monitor the temp along the substrate of the hot side. And I have another digital thermo/hygro that's reading good temp on the cold side.

Also, since I'm fairly new to Ball Pythons. Do juveniles naturally nip/strike often? Cause I noticed with babies/juveniles they tend to strike occasionally. Is this something I should be concerned with? This is my first snake ever, and it got me jumpy when I saw it strike away from me while holding him. But of course it's expected, and it's not preventing from handling a snake or caring for one.

I appreciate everyones help here! Thanks

[Maverick67]

congrats.
The probe for the thermostat should be in between your uth and the bottom of your enclosure (on the outside) no wire should be leading in and out of it. The probe for the thermometer should be attached under the substrate to the bottom of the enclosure (i would suggest a hot glue gun, no tape on the inside your snake will get caught in it.) Then adjust your thermostat accordingly the get the desired temp on the inside of the enclosure.

Yes juveniles to tend to be nippy. They are not used to people yet and see you as a threat. It just takes time for them to become used to you. But a bite from a rat is much more painful then one from a bp.

[Raf702]

Great info, I appreciate it! I place the t-stat probe to sticky side of the UTH correct?

Is there any tips/trick or good ways to avoid being accidentally struck? Or is it just random? I already know the common ones. Like no fast/flashy movements. Not having hands smell like it's food. Thanks again!

[Maverick67]

yes the probe goes on the sticky side of your uth and attach that to the underside of the enclosure.
as far as avoiding being bit, with a young one its probably going to happen. give your bp a week or 2 rest time to get acclimated to its new surrounding before you start handling it regularly. start off with short periods of handling.(10-15 min) and gradually work your way up. Time will depend on how you feel and your bp reacts. Just be patient and don't freak out if you do get bit. its nothing personal just your snake trying to defend itself against what it thinks may be a predator. It takes time.
also if anyone give you info you think is useful there is a thanks button at the bottom of their post. I'm not fishing for it but it's just a tip for the board usage.

Enjoy and ask as many questions as you want. we are all friendly here and wont steer you wrong. Good luck.


Edit: Also post pics of your enclosure and bp as soon as you can. we can give you more and better feedback from there.

[Simple Man]

BP bites aren't bad at all. I used to get bit regularly by a large red tail and that hurts! Just remember not to jerk your hand. You can really hurt your snake. It doesn't even feel like a hard pinch. It happens keeping snakes and the actual quickness of the strike is more surprising than the actual strike. It really isn't a big deal at all.

Regards,

B

[Raf702]

Thanks guys for the info! Well I got my BP yesterday and very happy, everything went well. He was roaming around his enclosure for a bit before settling down into one of his hide box. Being that he's my first snake, of course picking him up is the scary part. The only way to get over that feeling is to just be confident and do it carefully.

So today I had to fix his enclosure after he dug his way under the water dish. I put on 1 latex glove and slowly entered his enclosure. Lifted the water dish slowly at the same time softly touching his body making him aware I was there. Then I slowly picked him up. And from there all my nerves were at ease. Then I held him with my bare hand. This will be my routine of picking him up, using a glove then placing him on my other hand. This makes me feel at ease much more. And help me become more confident in handling him.

Anyway, through some reading and research, as soon as you get your BP in it's new home. You should leave him/her alone for about a week to allow the snake to adapt to it's enclosure. With that being said, tomorrow is his feeding day. Should I wait till next friday to feed him, since he's new and still getting used to his enclosure. Or should I just try feeding him tomorrow, or the next few days and see if he will eat?

Thanks again!

[Raf702]

BP bites aren't bad at all. I used to get bit regularly by a large red tail and that hurts! Just remember not to jerk your hand. You can really hurt your snake. It doesn't even feel like a hard pinch. It happens keeping snakes and the actual quickness of the strike is more surprising than the actual strike. It really isn't a big deal at all.

Regards,

B

Thanks! I will keep that in mind. The way I view it is, any snake owner will get bit/struck/nipped/etc. It's just a matter of when that will happen.

[Johan]

Thanks guys for the info! Well I got my BP yesterday and very happy, everything went well. He was roaming around his enclosure for a bit before settling down into one of his hide box. Being that he's my first snake, of course picking him up is the scary part. The only way to get over that feeling is to just be confident and do it carefully.

So today I had to fix his enclosure after he dug his way under the water dish. I put on 1 latex glove and slowly entered his enclosure. Lifted the water dish slowly at the same time softly touching his body making him aware I was there. Then I slowly picked him up. And from there all my nerves were at ease. Then I held him with my bare hand. This will be my routine of picking him up, using a glove then placing him on my other hand. This makes me feel at ease much more. And help me become more confident in handling him.

Anyway, through some reading and research, as soon as you get your BP in it's new home. You should leave him/her alone for about a week to allow the snake to adapt to it's enclosure. With that being said, tomorrow is his feeding day. Should I wait till next friday to feed him, since he's new and still getting used to his enclosure. Or should I just try feeding him tomorrow, or the next few days and see if he will eat?

Thanks again!

I would wait till next week to feed him. He could potentially eat tomorrow but he could be really stressed and that could imprint on him. Better to have him nice and hungry and more relaxed. He will more likely eat, and he will be happier for it.

[Raf702]

I see, but being that he'll wait another week. Will he behave aggressively or be in that "feeding mode" since he is going to wait longer?

[Simple Man]

I see, but being that he'll wait another week. Will he behave aggressively or be in that "feeding mode" since he is going to wait longer?

You should be pretty good. A week is not a long time for any snake to go without food. Congrats on the new snake

Regards,

B