Am I missing anything that I will need?

[jdouglas]

I'm am currently looking into getting a baby (4 months old) male het hypo ball python. I already have a 20 gallon wide aquarium with wire mesh lid and intend to use this until its larger and needs a 30gal. I am trying to get a basic idea of start up cost and make sure I have everything I will need before hand.

exo tera heat pad 20$
exo tera temp monitor/ humidity monitor 20$
water bowl 10$
exo tera Rheostat 20$
hides (2x small) 15$
bedding? I still need to do some research on the best kind
Food? (frozen/thawed) not sure what size I will need
cage wall covers

Am I missing anything on this list that I will need to start off? Before I purchase this beautiful python.

[Skittles1101]

Looks good to me. I suggest getting a decent thermostat as opposed to the rheostat...I've found them to be much more consistent and reliable. Also for substrate, I use aspen in my tank, and newspaper in my racks For a young ball, I suggest f/t rat fuzzies.

[jdouglas]

What size rat fuzzies do you suggest? Are there any specific sponsors or sites recommended to order from?

[Skittles1101]

Rat fuzzie is a size lol. They start out at pinkies, then fuzzies/crawlers, then pups, then weaned, etc etc. For supplies, I suggest reptilebasics.com. Rich is awesome to work with and has awesome products...

[jdouglas]

Awesome thanks, I have not done any actual research into the food other than how to feed/ frequency etc.

I don't see any frozen rats on this site is there a recommended site to order the fuzzie rats?

[Emily Hubbard]

You are on the right track!

I use coconut husk substrate. I like the look and it holds humidity well. There are lots of substrate options at any pet store (in store or online) and paper towels work too. Just don't use cedar, it's poisonous to snakes. But I have never seen cedar substrate anywhere because that is pretty much common knowledge.

I praise you for doing research and asking around! So many people get snakes just because they want one and don't bother looking into how to care for them properly. As long as you are always willing to learn more and make your snake's needs a priority, you should enjoy many long and happy years together.

Good luck!

[jdouglas]

Whats the difference between the following

Exo Terra Digital Thermometer & Hygrometer Combo
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...rometer-combo/

Zoo Med Rheostat 150 Watts
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...tat-150-watts/

And the expensive Thermostats?

Would the 2 I linked be fine until I can afford better equipment?

[Tarawr88]

I second the coconut husk suggestion-- I love the stuff. Makes for awesome spot cleaning, which you'll probably do lots of.

[kitedemon]

The combo hygrometer thermometer is ok they generally read fine for a while then the humidity wanders off into lalaland (most digital one do this anyway) and eventually they quite all together. (you do know this is just a thermometer it is not a thermostat right?)

Rheostats work best in absolutely unchanging room temps if your room temp goes up the rheostats needs to be adjusted if there is any room temp change it will need to be adjusted. They are great if you have a regulated room that is stable. My guess is you do not.

The t-stats (they have a temp sensor and adjust the heat source based on the temp not just adjust power like rheostats) come in two flavours. On/off and proportional. On/off just do that come on full power and go off no power. They are ok as long as the full power heat is not instantly transferred to the INSIDE of the enclosure. Either a little air space between the heat and bottom or a heavy bottom that takes a bit to heat up and cool down (glass) protect the interior from the high temps 100% power can deliver.

Proportional units flutter the power. If you think of them as a self adjusting rheostat it will make sense (this is not how they work the actually function is more complex and confusing so for simplicity...) The heat source is feathered to deliver the set point temp and hold at that temp it does not spike up and down. They have the greatest flexibility and accuracy.

My advise is to go proportional the cheapest units are about 100$ (helix herpstat VE200) they are all good and all work very well. On/off units are all over the board, from 40 (hydrofarm) to 70-80 (johnson ranco) some the later two sometimes come cheaper but need to be wired up, if you have some electrical background you can do this if it is new and all greek I'd suggest pre wired.

[Maixx]

Possibly some plastic plants to clutter up the enclosure until he grows into it. Bp's don't like big open spaces, and could stress.