New Ball Python set up

[cnavalta14]

Hey y'all. I just bought my first ball python last Friday, November 28th! He seems a little skinny to me comparing him to pictures of other hatching pythons. This could be me just worrying though as I think I have new snake owner syndrome and am worrying about everything lol. I haven't gotten a chance to weigh him, but he looks healthy. I've done a lot of research to make sure my first time is as smooth as possible. I just wanted y'alls opinion on my set up and his behavior so far!

He's in a 20 gallon tank on Aspen bedding about 1.5" thick with a UTH set up with a rheostat, he has a heat lamp at 75 watts in the day (his night time is 50 watts), he has 2 pretty much identical hides on the warm and cool side. His water bowl is slightly centered but more towards the cooler side. He also has a good size piece of wood in the middle, but it covers the entire depth of the tank. I didn't know if that was unintentionally cutting him off from the other side of the tank because so far he has only stuck to the cool side of his tank in his hide. I've ordered a small piece of flat cork board, and am thinking about getting some fake plants.

I have 2 Acurite thermometers that measure humidity as well on both sides halfway up. I also have a third thats in the middle closer to the ground. (cheap pet store one that came with tank) I ordered a laser thermometer gun that comes in tomorrow as well. So far his hot side has been anywhere from 86-91 in the day & 81-84 at night. His cool side has 80-81 in the day & 76-80 at night. Humidity has been anywhere from 45-79% on my hot side, but recently I've gotten it more consistent at 55-65%. The cooler side has been anywhere from 52-87%, but i've gotten it more consistent at 65-75%. The cheap middle one consistently reads at 80-85 degrees day and night with 50-70% humidity.

I also don't know when to feed him. I was told he was fed last tuesday, so 6 days ago. I purchased frozen mouse hoppers, and plan to keep him on F/T if he eats with me. I've heard that if he doesn't eat, I should try feeding a live hopper. Also are rats more beneficial to him? If so I will switch to the rats as soon as possible. I'm pretty certain I'll be feeding him in his cage because I don't want to stress him out by handling him before and after him eating.

Thanks can't wait to hear from y'all!

[Cumminsman]

You might post a few pics of the set up. There is a lot of good here. This site has been great. Post a question and get lots of help fast. Im kinda new too and get all the answers I need here! Good luck. We want to see you new friend too!

[cnavalta14]

new to this so hoping this picture uploads. I copy and pasted from word. If this isn't the correct way could you tell me how. Thanks!

[Sammiebob]

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=219160
Link to how to post pictures

[cnavalta14]

Thanks! Heres the set up!

[Reed12321]

Thanks! Heres the set up!

That's a solid setup. I wish I had the ability to maintain humidity levels over 50%. If I did absolutely nothing, my humidity levels would be in the 20% range because of where I live. During the summer I shouldn't have any problems with humidity though. Are you using a UTH?

[Sauzo]

Looks good. How are you holding those humidities with a tank though. I cant get mine above 30% here in Washington state for a glass tank. My red tail boa is in a Proline modular HDPE cage which holds really good humidity in the 60s but i'll be damned if I can get my baby balls tank above 30%. I mean it must be ok for her though as she ate 3 fuzzy mice after having her for 2 days so I think I might bump her up to hoppers but she is small, 6 weeks old and about 14-15 inches long. Anyways nice set up.

[cnavalta14]

I am using a UTH. I put moist towels on top of the mesh screen! I cover about 2/3 though because you want to make sure you're still getting proper ventilation. I also mist every couple days with a spray bottle!

[Cumminsman]

Looks good!

[salt]

Looks good. How are you holding those humidities with a tank though. I cant get mine above 30% here in Washington state for a glass tank. My red tail boa is in a Proline modular HDPE cage which holds really good humidity in the 60s but i'll be damned if I can get my baby balls tank above 30%. I mean it must be ok for her though as she ate 3 fuzzy mice after having her for 2 days so I think I might bump her up to hoppers but she is small, 6 weeks old and about 14-15 inches long. Anyways nice set up.

Also in washington state. I covered up pretty much all of the screen top with plastic wrap. Also I use eco-earth and if misting isn't doing enough for me (such as when they're in shed) I'll just straight up pour a little water into the substrate in the corners of the tank (not near any hides) and in the eco earth below the CHE.