Several Questions

[Aqualoon]

I'll be getting a BP this spring, my first snake ever and for awhile I was torn between a corn and a ball. What swayed me over to the ball was one of the videos on youtube (I read a lot of forum posts comparing the two for a first snake (including forum posts here) and watching youtube videos describing the differences). Snakebytes did a really good in depth video for first time snake owners on what they considered to be great first snakes - corn snake, ball python, boa constrictor. The boa got too big for me to feel comfortable for a first snake so it was between the corn and the ball...which is what it was from the start. Anyways, when he said that a ball will just sit and chill with you while you watch a movie, that had me sold.

So, since then I have been navigating my mind from corns to balls. I enjoy habitats, not just tanks so that's something to keep in mind when answering my questions.

I also want to put in that I am also a fish keeper (both fresh and salt/reef) so I understand the importance of reading, asking questions and patience before actually getting the animal. I wanted to note this because one of the pros to a corn is that they were easier to setup habitat wise and since a ball required higher humidity levels that it may not be best for a beginner.

Anyways, onto the questions. Keep in mind most, if not everything, isn't set in stone.

Cage - was looking at the 36x18x24 cage for the corn and still kept that as an option for the ball but decided to scrap that idea. I am now looking at a PVC cage from Animal Plastics, I am between a T5 and a T10. My concern is the height on the T10 - I do want to include a branch or two for climbing, is the height on this cage too restricting? Also on the T5/T10 cage, I was looking at the swinging doors (as that's how the exo terra worked), does it matter swinging vs sliding in a secure as possible aspect?

Heating - So with the T5/T10 cage in mind I'd want to get the Flexwatt, however in the guide on this forum it mentioned to have thin substrate/paper towels if you want to use this option. Now seeing as I want a habitat, I'd want to have a good inch or so of substrate...would the snake still feel the Flexwatt on it's belly (as I'd want belly heat to help with digestion). I would think I'd need to get radiant heat on the side of the Flexwatt as I doubt the Flexwatt itself would heat the cage on the hot side high enough with the amount of substrate I want to add - does that sound correct? If so, what features on the Animal Plastic site is adding radiant heat? The White Fluorescent Fixture is just a light right? I'd want a light anyways.

Hides - I don't have the specific hides picked out and when I do my shopping I will be posting asking for feedback. But the plan is to have 3 (with a lot of ground clutter) 1 hot, 1 cool and 1 for the humid hide. Question is, where should the humid hide by located? (cool, hot, middle) also anything but moss to be put in it?

Vet - I hope I don't get a RI with my snake buddy, but obviously these things happen. I found a vet that does exotics that's pretty close. It's not MY vet that I use as I have dogs and cats, so my question is do most of you guys contact the vet prior to any issue to fill out new customer paperwork so if there is an issue you can just make an appointment? Other question is, what do you transport the snake in?

That's all I have for now - Thanks all!

[AllThatInThemGenes]

Hello and welcome....you have made the right choice =)

[QUOTE][I am now looking at a PVC cage from Animal Plastics, I am between a T5 and a T10/QUOTE]

PVC is great. Floor space is FAR more important than height with ball pythons. That being said i too like to give them the option to climb a bit. Someone with experience using animal plastics will be able to answer this question much better than I. But PVC is a really good choice.

[QUOTE][ I would think I'd need to get radiant heat on the side of the Flexwatt as I doubt the Flexwatt itself would heat the cage on the hot side high enough with the amount of substrate I want to add/QUOTE]

the snake will most likely push all the substrate away under the hides and sit directly on the cage surface. this is one of many reason the hot spot temp you measure needs to be the surface above the heat source. again someone that knows animal plastics can let you know, but i would think the flex watt would be enough. You can always test what temp you need to set your tstat at that will provide the 90-92 hotspot you need.

Question is, where should the humid hide by located?

If you are doing three hides (1 cold, 1 hot) then i would put the humid hide in the middle. Wetting the moss and putting it under the hide is all you need.

[QUOTE][do most of you guys contact the vet prior to any issue to fill out new customer paperwork so if there is an issue you can just make an appointment?/QUOTE]

great idea

[QUOTE][Other question is, what do you transport the snake in?[QUOTE]

pillow cases are good. you can buy 'snake bags'. If you driving to the vet the snake should be fine in a pillow case if you can keep your car at a nice 75ish.

Again, welcome! Keep us posted on what kind of ball you get!!!

- - - Updated - - -

huh...not sure my quoting got all messed up in that post. sorry all.

[Aqualoon]

Thank you for the quick responses.

I guess I'll have some time to think about T5 vs T10 and keep my eyes open on the forums for anyone who has/is purchasing one of these cages.

As for the type of ball, well that's completely up in the air. I'm not getting my heart set on a specific morph until I'm actually looking to buy. Will find a breeder who has a few young ones that I like then pick from there. But loving pretty much anything with a spider pattern, the GHI's always catch my eye and the banana/coral grows are just gorgeous. Of course when I see any morph that is black/white/gray I can't help but be drawn to them. So I don't know. The only thing for certain is the name, 'Toothless', because I love a kid's movie so/too much.

[AllThatInThemGenes]

i hate to do this to you (because they are kinda pricey) but have you looked at axanthic bees at all? you said you like the spider gene and the black gray and white...i think you might fall in love. I know its really small, but my profile pic is of a banana spider i hatched out this year. They looks great too.

https://www.google.com/search?safe=a...95.VoRQUEDXt3Q

[Prognathodon]

We got an AP T8 recently. My husband put it together and set it up, with no problems. We've got it set up with Heat tape for UTH for the warm side, and will probably add radiant heat for ambient, although the PVC is insulating well enough that it hasn't seemed necessary so far. We elected to save a little money and do lights and heating ourselves. We've also got a custom enclosure for my son's skink-to-be in their order queue, and plan on eventually switching from glass to AP cages for all our snakes.

When I talked to the AP people at Tinley park, they recommended the sliding glass doors, as more scratch-resistant. If you get the door locks I would think either style door would be equally secure. If you have questions, do call AP, Ali is super-nice!


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[Aqualoon]

We got an AP T8 recently.

How do you feel about the height on it? This is my main concern on the T10 is the 15" height.

i hate to do this to you (because they are kinda pricey) but have you looked at axanthic bees at all? you said you like the spider gene and the black gray and white...i think you might fall in love. I know its really small, but my profile pic is of a banana spider i hatched out this year. They looks great too.

https://www.google.com/search?safe=a...95.VoRQUEDXt3Q

And yeah, I saw those and went "Oooooo, I wants!". I have a max price in my mind (around $500 but if I can find something I really like for less, I'm all for it) but honestly, if I see just a truly beautiful morph that I just fall for, I'm prepared to put it on my credit card...but again, nothing too crazy, just mild crazy...that's a thing right?

[AllThatInThemGenes]

just mild crazy...that's a thing right?

its a thing as you get your first BP...lots people get addicted and then full crazy is the only level lol. unfortunatly i am now full on crazy when it comes to BP and what i will spend.

you can get some really nice morphs for $500.00 tho. albino spiders are pretty cool combo too https://www.google.com/search?safe=a...68.dyqO4CwezfE

i realllllly want to get some calico into my collection so i can produce calibees (another one you might like) https://www.google.com/search?safe=a...ee+ball+python

[Prognathodon]

How do you feel about the height on it? This is my main concern on the T10 is the 15" height.

It seems fine for the ball pythons - once the girls in question finish exploring they don't seem to be much interested in climbing. The carpet pythons and Vietnamese Blue Beauty, OTOH, will be getting 24-36" tall AP cages when they get bigger.



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