Just getting started

[PythonHerper]

Hi everyone,

About two weeks ago a friend of mine gave me his ball python, Monty. He's trying to start a family and didn't have the extra time to look after him so my girlfriend and I adopted him. Along with Monty, he gave us a terrarium (I'm guessing 20 gallons), one small hide, a fake grass surface for the bottom of the terarium, and "tropical mist" which says it's supposed to keep their skin healthy, etc.

The more I read, the more I'm convinced that his shelter is inadequate. I'm looking for a basking lamp, heating pad, another hide, possibly a bigger terrarium (Monty's about 3 feet long), and a digital thermometer. Can anyone recommend a good supplier?

Also, does anyone else use the tropical mist on their BP? The bottle doesn't explicitely list snakes but states that it's for general reptile use.

Thanks for the help.

[mjmendoza]

Hello and welcome to BP.net.

First I would change the substrate. You have a couple of better options such as paper towels, newspaper, Aspen, Eco earth etc. I use newspaper which is very easy to clean and for the most part it's free. A 20 gallon long should be fine but if you feel like you need it bigger a 30 gallon would be ok too. Make sure you have proper gauges to read your humidity/temperature in the enclosure. I would suggest getting a
Digital one from walmart accu-rite brand with a probe. You need to keep the hot side of the tank at 88-90 degrees and cold side around 80-82.

[kevinb]

I wouldn't go with a light, it can really eliminate the humidity. You want it around 50-60%, some snakes need more some less..

[mjmendoza]

I wouldn't go with a light, it can really eliminate the humidity. You want it around 50-60%, some snakes need more some less..

yea i wouldnt go with a light either. just a UTH hooked up to a thermostat so you can regulate the temperature on the hot side.