New ball python owner With questions!!

[Finnsmom]

Hello! I just got my first ball python today. I have been wanting one for awhile now.
I purchsed it from petco. I didn't know where else to get one?
anyways, I have some questions and I just want to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong.
Right now I have a 10 gallon tank. I don't know how old the snake is...they couldn't tell me. Or if it is male or female?
I purchased a hiding rock, water bowl, a leafy tree, snake bedding and a "rug" for the bottom.
inalso got the under the tank heater, and a heat lamp. but the lamp seems to be getting very hot to me? Is it supposed to be very hot? It was making his rock very hot to the touch. So I ended up raising the lamp up some.
Right now the tank temp is only at 80 degrees...but I have only had it set up for about 2 1/2-3 hours...
and her humidity says 60.
also, the petco lady said they were fed yesterday and shouldn't need more food for another week or two??
i thought this seemed like a long time for a juvenile snake to go without eating....
and she also said I shouldn't handle it for at least two weeks? I this true? :/

thanks for the help. Hope to hear back soon!!

[Megg]

Is your heat pad on a thermostat? You can get a hydro farm from eBay for about $30. Herp stats are much better if you're willing to spend the money, but a hydro farm is better than nothing! Also, what are you monitoring your temps with? A digital thermometer, temp gun, one of those stick on gauges? You should have 2 hiding spots- one on the hot side and one on the cold side.
There are lots of great care guides on here- you should definitely give them a read so you'll have an idea of what kind of care your new BP will need!


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[pariahdog]

You shouldn't need the heat lamp if you have a UTH, it'll dry up the moisture in the air. I think the most important thing you need right now is a thermostat for the UTH if you don't already have one. This is a decent one for the price, it's better than nothing: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...arm+thermostat

edit: got ninja'd by one minute...

[Finnsmom]

Oh ok, I just wasn't sure if just having the under the tank heater would heat the tank sufficiently.
the only thermostats I have are the ones I found at petco. It's just a round plastic one, one for the humidity and one for the temp.

could anyone tell me why they don't want him to eat for at least a week and why I can't handle him for at least 2 weeks??

thanks

[ratchet]

Oh ok, I just wasn't sure if just having the under the tank heater would heat the tank sufficiently.
the only thermostats I have are the ones I found at petco. It's just a round plastic one, one for the humidity and one for the temp.

could anyone tell me why they don't want him to eat for at least a week and why I can't handle him for at least 2 weeks??

thanks

It takes time for a snake to settle in its new home, so handling it or trying to feed it while it is trying to get used to its new home can be stressful, which can make the snake refuse food even if it has been a while since its eaten. Because the baby just ate yesterday, the little guys can be fed on a five day schedule (that's what I've been told and have been going with for my little ones). Some snakes settle faster than others, it depends on their husbandry and if it's set up properly. I go about a week before handling when I have a new snake, it's just better to leave them be for a while to get comfortable. Everyone has their timelines they go by. Congrats on your new baby!! You can offer food in five days to a week, it might not take it but that's normal too. Like I said, it takes a bit for them to settle in new homes. My little girl didn't eat for 2 weeks when I brought her home, now she eats no problem!


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[Herbie'sMom]

Depending on age/size, ball pythons should eat every one to two weeks. If it's under a year old, more frequent feeding, like every 5 - 7 days is ideal since they are still growing. Remember to also feed an appropriate sized feeder - one that is the same size or a bit bigger than the circumference of your snake. Pics of the snake would be good if you want specific feeder size advice.

Not handling for at least a week allows the snake to settle in to it's new environment since the changes that come with moving into a new home can be stressful for them.

Good luck!

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[Herbie'sMom]

Oh ok, I just wasn't sure if just having the under the tank heater would heat the tank sufficiently.
the only thermostats I have are the ones I found at petco. It's just a round plastic one, one for the humidity and one for the temp.

could anyone tell me why they don't want him to eat for at least a week and why I can't handle him for at least 2 weeks??

thanks

Those aren't thermostats, those are thermometers/hydrometers - they only tell you what temp/humidity their environment is at, the thermostat controls the heat pad so it's doesn't get too hot and burn your snake.

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[Finnsmom]

Ok. Well thank you guys for the help. I'm just worried I'll do something wrong and hurt him. Right now he's under his rock and it looks like he's breathing a little fast? Is that normal? I turned the lamp off since you said I shouldn't need it. The temp in the tank is saying between 80-83 degrees.
I'll wait a week to handle him and offer him food in a week as well.
I also will try and get a picture of him so I can show you guys and get advice on what size mouse to feed him.

[Herbie'sMom]

Fast breathing can be due to stress, but still very normal. Just let him settle in and he should be fine! 😊

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[pariahdog]

Not sure what you mean by breathing fast. If you just got it today, I wouldn't worry too much since I bet it's still nervous being in a new environment. Do you have any way of checking the temps on the UTH?