2,5 years later, finally seeing if I'm doing ok. Setup and shedding questions.

[Old Sloppy]

I read on the site today that BP's don't like a big enclosure; mine seems to immensely enjoy the space. I need to add a hygrometer, or w/e they're called, since I have no idea the moisture level in the tank.

It is False logic that BP's don't like a big enclosure.

They do like to feel secure. (who dosen't ?)

My BP is quite secure in a 100 gallon tank.

I do keep her in a rather quite room, not much traffic.

and I have a 5 quart heavy glass water dish, this boosts the humidity and tends to stay clean longer than a smaller water dish will.

Harry

[Alex.B]

see the thing is YOU love the big inclosure the snake isnt very happy in it im sure, balls live in termite mounds they like small spaces.

if you wanna keep a big setup like that just dont make it tall, the humidity and heat needs to be proper as well.

[Emily Hubbard]

I personally don't think that is an appropriate way to keep a ball python. It is not so much space as it is heat, humidity and security requirements. What you take to mean exploring or enjoying the enclosure is a sign of stress. A happy ball python is a hiding ball python. They need to be in an enclosure where they can completely hide from you, they are not display animals. You have already been told what you need to fix, so I won't elaborate.

Your snake could be small because of the amount of calories the poor thing has to burn to get around that enclosure. Ball pythons are very inactive, heavy bodied snakes. They are not built to move, and their metabolisms are not designed for much activity. The most movement your snake should have to do is a short slither between warm and cool hides.

I understand that you like your enclosure, but you are just keeping the wrong animal in it. With a lot of research, you may be able to make that work with some type of arboreal species like a green tree python or emerald tree boa. Those are considered DISPLAY animals. They are not known for being friendly, you don't take them out and hold them. You put them in beautiful elaborate enclosures and admire them. That's not a ball python. A BP is a great snake to take out and hold while you watch TV, but it needs to be hidden away the rest of the time.

I commend you for coming here willing to learn what you need to do for your snake. There are a lot of people who never do and their animals suffer for it. I seriously suggest starting from scratch and getting your snake in a tub with two hides and an under tank heater with a thermostat. It will thank you for it.

[Rmorse]

Wait, so you guys just throw down an UTH (with a thermostat) in a tub, and no other heat source?

[Slim]

Wait, so you guys just throw down an UTH (with a thermostat) in a tub, and no other heat source?

Pretty much, yes. That's one of the beauties of using tubs. No heat lamp or CHE to kill the humidity. Just use enough holes in the tub to maintain proper humidity levels based on the size of your water bowl and ambient humidity of your snake room.

Tubs - 99 out of 100 Ball Pythons surveyed agree they are the way to go

Point of order: The UTH or Flexiwatt Heat tape (same concept for both) goes outside the tub, not in a tub.

[jdouglas]

Wait, so you guys just throw down an UTH (with a thermostat) in a tub, and no other heat source?

They use the UTH on the outside bottom of the tub. Tubs hold heat and humidity well. But you will need to keep the room temps over 76f at all times using this method. A UTH will not keep the ambient temps up high enough.

To assist with keeping in the ambient temps an inclosed rack with flexwatt as a UTH will work.

[Slim]

But you will need to keep the room temps over 76f at all times using this method.

I have to disagree with this statement. I've had no issues with room temps dropping down to as low as 70 degrees. It's dependent on the size of your UTH and the size of the tub, and how good your T-Stat is at maintaining even heating without big swings in temp.

I ran this system for almost a year with no issues before I switched to racks.

[jdouglas]

I have to disagree with this statement. I've had no issues with room temps dropping down to as low as 70 degrees. It's dependent on the size of your UTH and the size of the tub, and how good your T-Stat is at maintaining even heating without big swings in temp.

I ran this system for almost a year with no issues before I switched to racks.

I have been corrected. Thank you Slim! Would a proportional be required for this? And how much of the bottom of the tub should be covered?

[Slim]

I have been corrected. Thank you Slim! Would a proportional be required for this? And how much of the bottom of the tub should be covered?

Not trying to correct you, we all have different experiences with our set-ups. I'm sure you've had success with things I could never make work.

I was using a proportional at the time (several in fact) and I think that was the key to the even heating with out big temp drops. I had good luck with a UTH that was 25% or so the size of the tub. I also use paper substrate, so I think that helped with the heat transfer. I think I should also mention that these were not full size adult tubs. I was using Iris MCB-M's at the time.

[jdouglas]

Not trying to correct you, we all have different experiences with our set-ups. I'm sure you've had success with things I could never make work.

I was using a proportional at the time (several in fact) and I think that was the key to the even heating with out big temp drops. I had good luck with a UTH that was 25% or so the size of the tub. I also use paper substrate, so I think that helped with the heat transfer. I think I should also mention that these were not full size adult tubs. I was using Iris MCB-M's at the time.

I was glad you corrected me. I would prefer to be corrected than to give out misinformation.
I work with computer networks all day and it's nice to have my work corrected, reviewed, criticized, because I believe that's the best way to learn.