Help for a beginner.

[jessica87]

I'am looking to get a Ball Python from Petsmart. This will be my 1st snake and I need help understanding something's. What is a good tank size to begin with? I was thinking about getting a 55gallon but reading on-line it say's that it will may likely stress the snake out (snake is too young). What bedding is best? Was going to get apsen cause the person said from Petsmart it's ok for snakes but read on-line that it's too dry . What about the bulb's I understand that they need a basking light ummm a day light and night light temp gauge and a hydo-gauge something like that for the humidiy. Is there a cetrain watt bulb to change from? What is the day light temp be? The night temp be? Humidiy should be about 30-50%? What about the night bulb what color red or blue? Watching youtube video's and ready on-line about the caring but came across this site so decided it would be better to ask here.

Thanks all..

[Skittles1101]

I'm sorry, but it sounds like all the info you've gotten is from Petsmart, which is incorrect in so many ways. I always strongly advise you not to buy a snake from there, but from a breeder.

Welcome to the site, please read over this caresheet carefully, and if you have any more questions feel free to ask.

[Daybreaker]

A I was thinking about getting a 55gallon but reading on-line it say's that it will may likely stress the snake out (snake is too young).

B What bedding is best? Was going to get apsen cause the person said from Petsmart it's ok for snakes but read on-line that it's too dry .

C What about the bulb's I understand that they need a basking light ummm a day light and night light temp gauge and a hydo-gauge something like that for the humidiy. Is there a cetrain watt bulb to change from?

D What is the day light temp be? The night temp be?

E Humidiy should be about 30-50%?

F What about the night bulb what color red or blue? Watching youtube video's and ready on-line about the caring but came across this site so decided it would be better to ask here.

A: 55 is way too big, I don't use tanks but 10-20 gallon seems to be the norm for younger snakes. I would look into tub setups, they are much better at providing proper temps, humidity, and security than tanks (just my opinion).

B: Aspen is fine, and I simply use paper towels for substrate. Easy to see poop and urine and possible mites on paper towels.

C: Not sure about bulbs to keep ambient temps up in a tank, but you don't need a lamp/bulbs with a tub setup. Just a UTH (IMO you need a UTH with a tank too: with a thermostat so it doesn't get too hot and potentially burn your snake).

D I like ~80 degrees ambient temps during the day time as long as they have a cold and warm side to go to. My nights drop to around ~76 and I have no problems with that.

E Humidity around 50% is good. Some people like to raise it when the snake is about to shed and you may need to do this in a tank setup as tanks don't hold humidity as well as tubs. I never need to mist my tubs to have my snakes shed fine.

F Sorry, don't know about the bulbs again.

Hope that helps a little.

[Rob]

Please do research on this site for husbandry. Petsmart has given you some false info. Also go buy a CB snake from a breeder. You don't want a wild caught animal they can have all kinds of internal parasites, mites, ticks ect. You will save yourself money and a lot of heart ache buying from a breeder. There are people here that breed and sell their own, also check out BHB, or royal constrictor designs. Those are just a couple there are a ton of good breeders out there.

Side note- bps do NOT require any special lighting. Don't let the big box stores talk you into spending more money.

[snake lab]

You can house a ball python in any size setup as long as you can have proper husbandry under control. With thatbsaid keep in mind one thing. Ball pythons are one of the worst snakes to own if your hoping to do a proper set up to display the animal. They spend the majority of their lives in the wild underground. So making sure you have plenty of dark places for them to hide is key. As far as bedding goes aspen is really dry and doesnt hold humidity as well as pape. Now pure cypress is the best for holding humidity. But before you listen to what people tell you i would spend alot of time reading the caresheets.

[RestlessRobie]

Like others have said make sure to read the caresheet 2-3 time also look into a local Breeder if you want to see a snake before you buy one I am sure there are some close to you or try your local Herp socoiety for a possible addoption . I would get a 20G long for a first tank unless your buying a hatchling. A 20L would last your for at least a year or 2 and by then you will probally have switched to racks and own 5+ balls with thoughts of the sleepless nights worried about eggs and your gravid girls

[jessica87]

Thank you all. Looking around and I can't really find a breeder. Who are some good breeder's? Anyone know a good local breeder in Southern NJ?

[The Serpent Merchant]

Breeders can ship a BP right to your door, so them being local isn't important.

here are my favorites:

http://www.jkobylkareptiles.com/

http://pythonregius.com/

http://www.ralphdavisreptiles.com/

http://newenglandreptile.com/nerd/

Keep in mind that they have more snakes available then they can list on their site so if you don't see anything that you like or in your price range give them a call or send them an email, they very likely will have something for you.

[ZBP]

royalconstrictordesigns.com also forgottencoastreptiles.com also is a good guy that has some snakes still for sale, and if you ever see Mike Bell selling something he was great to work with.

[Xeperxi]

I'll second Royal Constrictor Designs...Garrick is great to deal with and has high quality ball pythons, I bought my first pastel from him and could not have been happier. Perfect snake, excellent communication before, during and even after the sale.