New Owner

[Bain]

So I am going to go pick up me first BP tomorrow from a breeder I met online. I already have a cage set up and am looking forward to having my first reptile since my beardie died a few years back. I'd like to hear any advice or tips that any experienced owners have.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Welcome to the site!

I would start by reading these 2 threads they cover all of the basics in cage and caging.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Thermometers

If you post pictures/describe your cage set up/heating system we can make sure that everything is good to go.

If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.

[Zombie]

Welcome!

Serpent Merchant has great advice in that post!

Read thru the threads linked in that post and make sure your all set up and ready Also, the search function here also works really well if you have any specific questions that may have already been answered! If you can't find the answers your looking for, just make a new thread and ask We are happy to help...

[PitOnTheProwl]

Welcome

[Bain]

I have a 45 gallon tank with two hides (one rock and one log), a large water dish, aspen substrate, a few plastic plants, thermometer and humidity reader near the bottom, a climbing branch and a decorative rock. For lighting I have one day basking light and one night light.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I just saw that you are here in San Antonio

45gal is a little on the large side, are you getting a hatchling or an adult?

[Flikky]

Ball pythons don't need the day/ night simulation. Might actually stress em out a little. Just make sure you have good hides if you're going to do that

[hypnotixdmp]

Also, are you using the light for heat??? Just letting you know the way it heats the air will take away from your humidity. The best way to get ambient temps right will follow below. A UTH controlled by a thermoSTAT is bed for your warm side.

Do you have a screen lid? If so, I suggest you go ahead and cover about 75% of the lid with something (I used tinfoil). This will help with holding the moisture and ambient heat in, I did this and it made a huge difference!! Make sure to NEVER put tape inside if the cage!!

Last question is what kind of bedding are you using? How this is the bedding? Have to make sure you do t have it too thick or the UTH will have trouble heating through the glass then the substrate.



Ball Pythons
0.3 Normals (Coilette, Athena and Mary Jane)
1.0 Pastel (De Sol)
1.0 Spider (Zeus)
1.0 Mojave (Prometheus)

Boa Constrictors
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Stella)
0.1 BCI (Kiyoko)
0.1 Dumerils Boa (Gloria)

[Bain]

He is a lesser BP about 6 months old and I tried to fill in the tank so it didn't seem overwhelming to him at first and I have a few hides in there for him. So far he seems to like the log more so than the rock hide.

I don't like the UTH too much since my uncle had one that burned his snakes stomach. I will try covering the lid to hold in the humidity, thanks for the tip. I just got him in there and so I am going to give him a few days to adjust and relax from the stress of being re-homed.

Thanks for all the advice, I will post pics when i figure out how with this site.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I don't like the UTH too much since my uncle had one that burned his snakes stomach

This is why you MUST use a thermostat with UTH's. Without a thermostat they can and will burn snakes, but when properly regulated UTH's are very safe and effective.

Here is how to post pictures:http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...with-pictures)