New to Caring for BP's

[QuidsBalls]

Hey guys!

I went to the reptile expo over the weekend in Toronto and ended up buying some Ball Pythons (Both of them are Fire balls). One male, one Female.

It was a pretty snappy decision.. I had to go out and buy everything that I needed to care for them, so I will explain how I have things set up, and hopefully you guys can pull me into the right direction

I have 2 plastic tubs (I read somewhere that plastic makes it easier to keep up humidity)

Each one has:
- Sticky heater placed onto the bottom of the tub on one side of the tub (covers 40% of the tub)
- Water dish (in the middle of the tub, partially on the heating pad)
- 2 hides (one on each side of the tub)
- Aspen for substrate (recommended by a breeder who was at the expo)

I Still need:
- something to measure heat + humidity
- More air holes on the top of the tubs (the lids) There is condensation on the lids.


So far the female has eaten one of the thawed rats that I gave her, the male refused to eat.

The female I have seen move around her habitat, explore etc. she seems happy with her new habitat

The male however seems stressed out, he's being snappy. I haven't handled him much since I got him (maybe 5 minutes when I first got him to examine for mites and his color) he seemed pretty tense, kept on trying to constrict my hand..
Any idea's on how to make the male a little more comfortable?

Oh, they are only a few months old each, still young.

Also, what did/do you guys use to make holes in the tubs?

[meowmeowkazoo]

First, congrats on your new balls!

I would put the water bowl on the complete opposite side of the heat pad if I were you. Will also help reduce the condensation. Make sure the hides are identical so that your snake can move with ease between them and not feel stuck because one hide feels more secure than the other.

Give the male some time alone to settle in. Snakes can take a week or longer before they feel comfortable in their new habitats, so don't worry if he doesn't want to eat or be held yet.

I used a soldering iron to make the holes in my tubs, but you could also use an electric drill.

[QuidsBalls]

Ah, I'll move the water dish now then
I thought it would help raise the humidity.. specially since the habitat was new, I didn't want it to be too dry for them..
Both of the hides are the exact same (actually, all 4 of them are, 2 per tub)

Is it a no-brainer to assume that I should continue wiping the condensation off of the top of the tub?

[gambit_BP]

i actually used a drill for a tub i use for feeding. it worked perfect and quick...

[QuidsBalls]

Your using a tub for feeding?
Is that because you have multiple BP's in one habitat? or should I be using a separate habitat for feeding?

I read somewhere that its fine to keep multiple young BP's in one habitat but that you should feed them in a separate place

[mpkeelee]

you shouldnt keep any BP's together, unless its for breeding purposes. you do not need to feed in a seperate enclosure. people say they get cage aggression but i dont belive thats true. and i tihnk most people will agree with me.

[lasweetswan]

you shouldnt keep any BP's together, unless its for breeding purposes. you do not need to feed in a seperate enclosure. people say they get cage aggression but i dont belive thats true. and i tihnk most people will agree with me.

I feed all of mine in their tub.

OP, also remember to make sure that you buy a thermostat for your UTHs

[meowmeowkazoo]

Ah, I'll move the water dish now then
I thought it would help raise the humidity.. specially since the habitat was new, I didn't want it to be too dry for them..
Both of the hides are the exact same (actually, all 4 of them are, 2 per tub)

Is it a no-brainer to assume that I should continue wiping the condensation off of the top of the tub?

It does help raise humidity to put the water dish over the heater, but humidity means more condensation (which isn't a bad or good thing). Really you just need to get your thermostat and hygrometer so that you can measure the humidity to make sure it's not too high.

And yeah, no need to feed your balls in a separate bin. And also don't keep them together. It's just poor husbandry. Occasional cannibalism and more commonly just being unable to keep track of which animal is shedding/defecating and when.