new BP owner with questions

[jimmysmom]

I just got a BP last week 10/11/15 and so far he has been amazing. PetSmart said he had not ate in several weeks, that when I got him home I should try feeding him live. I fed him 2 fuzzies and he ate them rather quick. Then on 10/13/15 he started acting a lil strange and I thought he may be hungry so I fed him 2 more fuzzies and he ate those but still acted hungry(not that I know how a hungry snake acts). Today he has bee out of his hide more than normal. He is like slithering up the side of his tank and staying there straight up with his nose against the screen. He will come down and go in his hide for a bit then back out slithering around and then back to slithering around on the side of the tank. Is this normal? It's almost like he's casing the joint. Could he be hungry? I tried posting pics of this behavior but cant seem to figure out how to do it.

[bcr229]

Let's go over your snake's setup first. He's in a tank - how big is it?

How is it heated (under-tank heater, light, etc)?

Are the heater(s) on a thermostat? (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT)

What are the warm and cool side temperatures in the tank and what type of thermometers are you using to take those measurements?

What is the humidity in the tank and what type of hygrometer are you using?

What kind of substrate are you using?

What kind of hides does your snake have?

How much does your snake weigh, in grams?

[jimmysmom]

He is in a 20 gallon reptile aquarium. Heated with a light 75wt. No thermostat. The warm side reads around 84 85 F. The cool side reads around 75 76. I use the lil stick on thermos strips. The humidity is hovering around 40%. It is one I bought at petsmart. I am using aspen bedding. He has a half log hide on the cool side and on the warm side under the basking branch he has fake plants, he lays under at times. I do not know how much he weighs. I am able to post pics on my profile of him though. He just started the standing up today, I sorta think he may be hungry but he just ate the other day. He doesn't do the standing thing very long .

[Ax01]

uh oh, u best unplug the undertank heater until u can get a thermostat to hook it up to regulate temps. u don't want to burn your new BP.

also get digital gauges to monitor temps and humidity. it's far more accurate.

also here's a thread on 5 important things some of us forumers think every new BP owner should know - http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-ball-pythons. Thermostat is a popular answer and for good reason.

[jimmysmom]

I am not heating with an undertank heater. I am using a simple basking bulb. Thank ya'll so much. I just want jimmy to be as happy as a snake can be. Also how when I know he is hungry ?

[MysticMoon001]

Keep in mind that snakes are opportunistic feeders. They would, if they could or wanted to, eat anytime anything is offered to them and this could lead to obesity. (Please someone correct me if I am wrong) I suggest sticking to a set feeding schedule. Feed prey no wider than the widest part of your snake. I will be feeding my baby bp who is 158g every 5-6. Some keepers feed them only once a week.

I also strongly suggest a uth with a thermostat. Ball pythons need more belly heat than overhead heat.

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[Megg]

I'd definitely look into getting 2 secure hides for your BP. They like tight, dark spaces, and a hide with only one entrance would be preferable. You'll want one on the cool side and one on the warm side. And as mystic moon said, a uth with a thermostat is much better for BP's than lamps. Congrats on your new pet!

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[PitOnTheProwl]

uh oh, u best unplug the undertank heater until u can get a thermostat to hook it up to regulate temps. u don't want to burn your new BP.

No UTH to regulate

Ball pythons need more belly heat than overhead heat.

And as mystic moon said, a uth with a thermostat is much better for BP's than lamps. Congrats on your new pet!

Proper ambient heat is just as good as belly heat. It has been proven by many many many keepers that have huge collections.
All other recommendations are on point.
Do yourself a favor and get a non contact thermometer, this will let you get your surface temperatures easily and quickly.
You still need to know ambients as well though.

[jimmysmom]

Thank ya'll so much. What type or wattage of uth and thermostat would be best? Where would be the best place to place it in his home? Is there a bedding other than the aspen shavings that are better and that he would prefer? BP's have a long lifespan and I want him to be happy and healthy as possible. As for handling him, I have long acrylic nails, they are not sharp but I worry about them tickling him as I go to scoop him up. AS for feeding I put him in a separate container when I feed him and then leave him for about 30 minutes after he has ate. Is the an okay practice? Will I still need a heat lamp with an uth , my home stays pretty cool, and which is better for night, the red or purple lights?

[PitOnTheProwl]

Better would be a ceramic heat emitter.
As far a moving him for feeding, Why? There is no need to.