Supplies List/Enclosure Questions

[loud]

Just 10 more days until I pick up my baby snake, and I'll be putting in my orders online for the supplies I'll need. Hope to get everything put together a few days prior to getting the snake so I can let it run for a few days! I have a basic list put together, but would really like additional opinions from those in the know!

So far my supplies list includes the following

- small plastic tub (until the snake outgrows it)
- second tub for feedings
- Ranco thermometer (hopefully that's the right one? Also means I'll need a wire stripper and cutter to put it together, I guess)
- Undertank Heater (but should I go Ultratherm or Zoo Med? Zoo Med I could get immediately, but I'd have to order the Ultratherm)
- hygrometer
- spray bottle for misting
- paper towels for substrate
- two hides
- water bowl (what size for a small enclosure and snake?)
- maybe a little climb if I can fit it in there
- temp gun
- soldering iron (hope I can just borrow one but it's not likely)
- office clamps (for around the lid to prevent easy escape)

Am I missing anything?

My other question is that if I go with the Ultratherm UTH that I linked, what do I do if the heater is too large for the tub? The base of the tub will definitely be shorter than 2', and really I'd only want the heater covering half of the base so it's definitely much too long. What do I do in that case?

The general plan is to fit the UTH on the bottom of the tub, and place the thermometer probe either between the UTH and the tub, or under the UTH. Water bowl would go on the cool side, there'd be a hide on either side, holes burnt into the top edges and added/covered as needed... paper towels on the bottom and clamps around the lid to keep the enclosure secure.

Would love any critique, suggestions, and/or answers. Thanks so much in advance

[bcr229]

You don't need a second tub for feeding. You might want a second smaller one than the main tub in case you need to take your snake to the vet, or just to put him in for a few minutes in case he "paints the walls" of his regular living quarters.

Also the link for the Ranco you posted is a thermostat, not a thermometer. I'm assuming that since you're putting the probe between the UTH and the tub that you meant thermostat... and congratulations, you're putting the probe in the correct place from the beginning. Many people don't.

For the hides, get plastic and they don't have to be pretty. Avoid the wooden half-logs - they mold and are a PITA or even impossible to clean when (not if) your snake makes a mess on them.

[200xth]

You don't need the second tub for feedings. You can feed him in his normal enclosure.

[dgring]

you don't need the second tub for feedings. You can feed him in his normal enclosure.

x3

[loud]

Whoops, sorry everyone! I forgot to mention that I'm not getting a Ball Python but rather, a Jungle Carpet Python. I really would like a second tub for feedings to prevent any possible nastiness with the snake associating lid opening = food. I know JCPs can be a little defensive of their enclosure as it is (at least while they're young) so that's my reasoning. I might be mistaken though and definitely would not mind being corrected!

Also the link for the Ranco you posted is a thermostat, not a thermometer. I'm assuming that since you're putting the probe between the UTH and the tub that you meant thermostat... and congratulations, you're putting the probe in the correct place from the beginning. Many people don't.

LOL boy do I feel stupid. Thanks for the correction... ummm is a thermostat what I should be getting? Because for some reason I thought it was a thermometer that I needed with the UTH. So what should I be buying?

Glad I have the placement right at least - at least I learned something while reading the forums!!

For the hides, get plastic and they don't have to be pretty. Avoid the wooden half-logs - they mold and are a PITA or even impossible to clean when (not if) your snake makes a mess on them.

Great advice, thank you! I could easily have seen myself picking up the wooden log hides they have at Petco, so you saved me there. Thanks!

[bcr229]

Yes, you need a thermostat to regulate the heat from your UTH. An IR thermometer like http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiT...9214658&sr=1-4 or a "temp gun" will tell you the surface temperature of objects - like the bottom of the tub where your snake is lying.

[loud]

Yes, you need a thermostat to regulate the heat from your UTH. An IR thermometer like http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiT...9214658&sr=1-4 or a "temp gun" will tell you the surface temperature of objects - like the bottom of the tub where your snake is lying.

Alright, thanks! Now it all makes sense, why I was told to get a temp gun and a thermostat Really glad I asked, although I guess I would have ended up buying the right things (by some stroke of luck!!).

Another question - are 2 hides necessary for a carpet python? I just went out and bought two, but when I put everything in the tub there is no way I could fit 2 hides and a water bowl in there. Of course I'll be upgrading to a larger tub/terrarium once the snake is larger but for now, would one hide do? If so, does it go on the warm side or the cool side?