Just Saying Hello(pic intensive)

[MontyPython22]

Hello everyone hows it going. I've been on this forum for a while and have learned so much. I just recently made an account so I could start browsing and posting so I thought I would introduce myself and my new BP.

My name is Nick and this is my new 4-5 month old Pastel BP Monty.


I've had him for about a month now. I got him at 160g and now he is about 230. He's a great eater so far and is eating live mice. While he is not my first ball python or snake for that matter, he is my first male which is why I had to name him Monty(from Monty Python of course, favorite movie as a kid). He just went through a shed yesterday so I was waiting to get some good pictures of him. So onto the pictures.

Pre shed:






Post shed:
As you can see there is a little shed behind his head going down his neck a bit just on the top. I just put some repti shed aid on it and ill wait to see if he can get it off on his own. Other than that one spot he got most of the shed off on its own although I had a tough time keeping the humidity up.


This picture shows some of his great blushing and pattern. He is very yellow( picture does no justice) for a pastel and he was the nicest one the breeder had.




Here is a picture of his enclosure that I have set up. ( Don't worry about the temps and humidity I had just cleaned the cage and put everything back in)


I love tanks because it is much more visual and you can look inside of it. But now I am second guessing it because of the humidity problems, especially with a tank this tall. I've contemplated putting some plywood over the top and cut out sections for the heat light to keep the humidity in but then my temps would be a little to high.
I am also using a 100w heat lamp and a 100w UVB lamp because the breeder/pet store(friend of mine) said Ball Pythons cant regulate the heat that comes from underneath and overhead heat is better so they don't burn themselves out. I have thought about getting a UTH and a thermostat but now i'm rethinking the whole tank thing all together. Here's where I was hoping for some feed back. I was thinking about either switching to a rack system or a t8 AP enclosure because I want to add another female BP to my collection to breed in a year or two.
For one I would love a t8 enclosure but they are a little out of my price range. I've been considering racks but I don't think I need them right now because I am not planing on keeping a lot of snakes at this time. I was wondering what some of you had for enclosures and why you liked them.(pros and cons) Do any of you use alternative enclosures that are similar to the T8 for a cheaper price? Maybe something you created yourself but can still see inside. Id want something big enough to keep them in for their life time so I wont have to keep getting new enclosures as they get bigger. I was also wondering if I even needed the UVB bulb. I have heard that it is good for growth and young snakes while a lot of others say there is no point.

Any advice or suggestions would be great I am open to everything. I am just happy to say hello and be part of this great community.
(I'm sure I left something out and ill add it when I think of it )

[kat_black181]

Clear Sterilite tubs work wonders. Humidity is easy to maintain, and as long as you keep the room your snakes are in warm, you will only need the UTH for your warm side.

You can still see inside, and they come in all kinds of sizes.

Edit: Welcome!

[MontyPython22]

Clear Sterilite tubs work wonders. Humidity is easy to maintain, and as long as you keep the room your snakes are in warm, you will only need the UTH for your warm side.

You can still see inside, and they come in all kinds of sizes.

Edit: Welcome!

Thanks I appreciate the reply. I think I will switch over to a nice rack system in a few months once Monty gets a little bigger and I acquire a female for him.
I was also of thinking of making something like this seeing as I am a skilled wood worker.
Well see how the budget plays out

[kat_black181]

No problem. If you're good with building things like that, you're already a step ahead of a lot of people, and can do it yourself for much cheaper than buying it. I say that's probably your best bet.

Just make sure to think it through, and know what materials will/won't work for these animals (heat and humidity wise).

[NYHC4LIFE8899]

Well I was using a heat bulb and uv bulb..but now I wonder is the uv necessary ..I say this because for one,my ball python hides 21-22 hrs a day and only comes out at night for a few hours.. 2nd,people don't have any sort of lighting when they have there BPs in a rack system..these are some things it am now wondering...I'm thinking all I need is one heat bulb for day and one heat bulb for night..

I also have both mine in glass tanks..29 gallon high has a 100 watt bulb and the 20 gallon long has a 75 watt bulb...my heat is always between 86-88 and humidity in tank is always averaging 40 give or take..I also have UTHs on both tanks and they get at about 85-88 degrees..so I don't get why you are having humidity problems.. I also leave a damp rag along the top of the tank covering about 60% of the top and that's not including what the light domes cover!but there is still plenty of room for fresh air...honestly,I did a lot of messing around,buying multiple bulbs and diff watts and moving the water bowl,using damp rags,moving the domes in diff spots and wel I've finally found exact what I need,took 5 weeks,but my tank is exactly where I need it to be. I really can't complain. My snake seems happy,eating and shedding with no problems,is healthy and active.

[kat_black181]

UVB bulbs are absolutely not necessary for ball pythons. They spend most of their lives in holes in the ground. No sunlight there.

[NYHC4LIFE8899]

Yup,that's what I said above...the snake hides all day anyway....I been thinking it a lot lately

UVB bulbs are absolutely not necessary for ball pythons. They spend most of their lives in holes in the ground. No sunlight there.

[kat_black181]

Lol, those things are expensive anyway. I have to buy them for my beardie.

[NYHC4LIFE8899]

Lol, those things are expensive anyway. I have to buy them for my beardie.

Uh,yeah they are,like $15 a pop lol,I have 3 sitting on my floor now,lol...that's $45.00 that I could have used for a bill or food for me my cats and snakes or towards CDs. I can go n and on,hahaha

[MontyPython22]

I also have both mine in glass tanks..29 gallon high has a 100 watt bulb and the 20 gallon long has a 75 watt bulb...my heat is always between 86-88 and humidity in tank is always averaging 40 give or take..I also have UTHs on both tanks and they get at about 85-88 degrees..so I don't get why you are having humidity problems.. I also leave a damp rag along the top of the tank covering about 60% of the top and that's not including what the light domes cover!but there is still plenty of room for fresh air...honestly,I did a lot of messing around,buying multiple bulbs and diff watts and moving the water bowl,using damp rags,moving the domes in diff spots and wel I've finally found exact what I need,took 5 weeks,but my tank is exactly where I need it to be. I really can't complain. My snake seems happy,eating and shedding with no problems,is healthy and active.

My set up is the exact same except for the wet rag I had aluminum foil. I was also at a 42% average for humidity and I don't think it was enough for his most recent shed. Maybe ill try a damp rag for a while.

I was asking about the UVB bulb because I wasn't sure if they needed it or the pet store just wanted to make some money. Thanks for clearing it up.
The other thing I've heard is they need a light period so they know its day time. Is the ambient light from a window enough for them?

- Updated - - -