Just got a ball python - how am I doing?

[turkspartan]

I would offer food the following week and feed him a small rat. He can eat that weekly.

As for the lamp, while it can work and be successful, we usually recommend a UTH. You can use the ones at Petco/Petsmart you just have to have a thermostat to regulate the heat so it doesn't get too hot. Here are some options that are all function, the last one being the best and most highly recommended. I have one myself and LOVE it.

Budget: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S
Mid-grade: http://www.reptilebasics.com/johnson-a-419
Best: http://www.spyderrobotics.com/store/ (you can use the Intro, Intro+, Basic or the Herpstat 1 for just one cage. I have the Herpstat 2 - that's an option if you plan to run both the CHE or lamp with your UTH)

Thank you very much for the info!

Isn't the hot side better for digesting? I know that 75 degrees is the bare minimum for them and he is choosing to be on the cold side around 78. I just don't get it lol.

[turkspartan]

Just an idea, what if I moved the heat lamp on to the cold side (basically switched the hot and cold side) to see if he will still move to the new cold side or stay in his current cave. I guess this will tell me if he likes his current cave more or if he likes the cold side. Both of his caves are 100% identical though...

Am I just over thinking the fact that he just likes the cold side?

[Kat_RN]

I keep my bp at 90 on the hot side and around 75-80 on the cool side, room temperature. I have both a heating pad on the hot side and a day time and night time bulb to simulate the day/night cycles. For summer 14 hour days, 10 hour nights. For winter, 10 to 11 hour days. I change her water daily as well since she bathes and drinks from it. I have alot of greenery in my tank. They like to hide, as you know. I have a hidey hole on the left, and one on the right.

I also have a temp gauge on the left and right side as well as a humidity gauge in the middle of the tank. I keep the humidity around 50%. I spray the tank with a water bottle, and cover the top of the lid halfway to increase it as needed. They say to watch how much water you place in their water dish as a means of controlling humidity too.

As far as that meal is concerned, I agree with a previous post: get prey equivalent to the widest part of the body of the snake. The mouse did look a bit small. Be careful with live prey: they can hurt your snake, esp. if the snake does not eat it and you leave the mouse/rat in there with it. My bp eats frozen mice. Per what I have read, frozen is the way to go so that your snake is not harmed.

I am a new snake owner too. In addition to coming on here, I am on my second book of three about bp's. They are really interesting pets for sure.

Good luck!

- Kat

[arialmt]

Will 85 be enough? I have at least half an inch of bedding.

You'll find that bedding can trap heat. 1/4 to 1/2 an inch is about right for over an UTH. My hot side is set to several degrees lower than it's actual temperature. I would shop Reptile Basics for one, the sizes are better for larger cages, imo.

A rheostat is a variable voltage switch, dimmer switch. I think a thermostat is a wiser choice, even for overhead heating like your CHE.

It's ok to feed your snake in his enclosure.

[turkspartan]

Any ideas about why he only stays on the cool side?

[arialmt]

Any ideas about why he only stays on the cool side?

Because he's not too cold. I know that seems too obvious but it keeps me from over thinking the same question. I have to trust that my snake moves when I'm asleep.

Please consider the UTH. This will help you by eliminating variables in your husbandry and alleviate some of your worry.

[turkspartan]

Thanks! There is no doubt I will be grabbing a UTH, probably later on today.

[arialmt]

Thanks! There is no doubt I will be grabbing a UTH, probably later on today.

And something to regulate it, even a $15 dimmer from the Home Depot or wherever.

A good thermostat can control your UTH and your light fixture. What may seem like a steep investment up front can often be less costly over time due to their expandability and durability.