Tips and Advice for first time Ball Python Owner

[bvilletigers10]

I appreciate all the advice. I will definitely get the sides covered.

And good luck with the retic!

[dmt_jovi]

The temps without anything being turned on is about 74/75. I didn't think about covering 3 of the sides, but that does make sense. I will definitely do that. Even though the tub is in a spare bedroom where the lights are rarely turned on and no one usually goes in there at all during the day.

74/75 It's not that bad, if you could bump it up close to 80 it would be perfect. Covering the sides isn't just because someone is arround and it would scare him, it's also because they are secretive snakes and without at least 3 sides covered they might feel exposed, which will result in a stressed snake.

I do have a thermostat to plug the heat map into. I haven't plugged it up and tried it yet, but plan on doing that this weekend. As far as probes go. The thermostat probe is located directly in the middle of the hot side, under the substrate. The thermostat probe I haven't placed yet. I have seen conflicting views. Some say in between the tub and heat mat and some say just on the outside of the heat map. Would love your thoughts on that?

Don't have the heat mat running if it is not plugged into a thermostat! It can get really hot if unregulated and will burn your snake.
As far as probe placement goes, follow the most informative crayon drawing you will ever see, Pit's Drawing:

If you put the probe inside the enclosure your snake can poop, pee, spill water on the probe which will change the temperature reading, which in turn will cause your UTH to run hotter or colder than it should. If you setup your probe this way you will have an honest reading on your thermostat probe and it will not be exposed to stuff that can alter it's reading.

And then lastly, the snake I am getting is currently around 120 grams. As far as maximum weight, i'm not sure. I assume I will have to move up in tub size eventually. But I will just adjust that to how quickly he grows.

Your tub seems to have a good size for your BP, if anything it might be a bit tall but that's not a problem. Adjust the tub size as he grows and you should be fine

[bvilletigers10]

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[bvilletigers10]

Just a quick update. Advice was great. I covered 3 sides of the enclosure. This guy has been with me for about 2 weeks and has been doing great. He's ate like a champ both times and seems to be doing great. Thanks again for all the great advice and support!

[Aztec4mia]

Is that an Aggravation game I see in the background?

[bvilletigers10]

Is that an Aggravation game I see in the background?

It is a homemade version of it, yeah! Gets pretty wild and competitive in or house! Haha

[dmt_jovi]

Just a quick update. Advice was great. I covered 3 sides of the enclosure. This guy has been with me for about 2 weeks and has been doing great. He's ate like a champ both times and seems to be doing great. Thanks again for all the great advice and support!

Glad to hear it! Keep us posted

Btw that is a beautiful Firefly!