Intro...

[Teacher's Pet]

Hi, Everyone!

I received a 4 month old male ball python from a former student. He gave me the terrarium and accessories, too. I'm keeping the snake at home all summer, but I tried him out as a class pet during the last two weeks of school. My students are 7, 8, and 9 years old. He was a huge success with that crowd!

Funny thing is, the kid who gave me the snake said he was 4 years old. I thought, wow, they grow up slower than I thought! He weighs about 363 grams and is quite slim. He has a slight triangular shape. He came with a glass terrarium with a screened top, and a reptile lamp with a big bright light bulb in it.

I changed the bulb to a ceramic heat lamp since being in the light all the time seemed unnatural for a nocturnal animal. I also got him a bigger eco-earth hide. He was fitting in half a coconut shell at first but not anymore. He came with a nice eco-earth water dish, so that's why I got the same kind of hide.

The lamp was overheating the warm side, up to 99 degrees at one point. I put a rheostat on it and now it is in the 80s. Now the included undertank heater is potentially going to burn him since it is not regulated, so I need to put a rheostat or thermostat on it.

I've bought some things I wish I hadn't. A Zilla dial stick on temperature and humidity gauge, for example. I would like to have bought an Acu-Rite digital hygrometer/thermometer combination with the probe. That, along with a digital thermometer with a probe that I already have would be ideal, I think.

I've already asked two questions on this board and am so happy to get good answers and kindness, too. I'm going to keep this site bookmarked

[dragonboy4578]

Welcome to bp.net....I would really recommend looking over the caresheet if you haven't already. It sounds like you are getting a good grasp on caring for your new bp... Congrats. If it is truly 4 years old and is only 363 grams it was probably underfed. My '10 babies are quite a bit bigger than that already. My '10 male pied is almost 750 grams right now. I would slowly get it eating more often to get it bulked up. Best of luck with him/her....

If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask. There are a lot of great people here that are more than willing to help...

[Teacher's Pet]

Welcome to bp.net....I would really recommend looking over the caresheet if you haven't already. It sounds like you are getting a good grasp on caring for your new bp... Congrats. If it is truly 4 years old and is only 363 grams it was probably underfed. My '10 babies are quite a bit bigger than that already. My '10 male pied is almost 750 grams right now. I would slowly get it eating more often to get it bulked up. Best of luck with him/her....

If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask. There are a lot of great people here that are more than willing to help...

Thanks, dragonboy4578! The little guy is actually only 4 months old. The boy who gave it to me said it was 4 years old and a male. I don't know if it's really a male or female, but I'll take his word for it and assume he just misspoke about the years v. months.

The caresheets have been so very helpful. The pictorial of shedding, too. Love this site!

[Eric Doane]

Welcome to the site. Congrats on your new friend. Can we see pics?

[EchoPyrex]

Welcome! I love your user name.

[Vypyrz]

Hello, and to BP.net. Thank you for giving the little guy a new home. It may take a little work to get everything dialed in right, but hopefully it will be a rewarding experience as you learn, and teach your students about these fascinating animals.

[Boanerges]

Welcome to BP.net Any questions you may have please feel free to ask!!

[gardenfiend138]

That's awesome! I had my snakes in my K/1 class and my 5th grade, and they were a big hit with everyone! It's nice seeing kids get over their fears so early, and learning some truths about these "bloodthirsty killers!" that we love to keep.
Very cool and welcome!

[Popeye]

to BP.net.

[PitOnTheProwl]

BTW