Killer bee

[Trisnake]

Why the pitchforks here? The OP has obviously done a fair amount of research in order to provide their new addition with the proper overall environment - see this post above: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...=1#post2485070. Just because there's one successful way to keep these animals, doesn't mean that it's the only successful way. Making sure their needs are met is the primary concern - I'm confident the OP is well aware of that and will adjust if necessary as they get to know each other. Sheesh...

While I can respect that many people have many different ways of keeping their animals, there is a difference between successfully keeping an animal in a new or experimental set up, and an animal adapting successfully to a sub-optimal setup. Enduring and thriving are not the same things. I don't believe there's any way to make a screened cage an optimal environment for a ball python, not even a good one, unless the majority of it is covered to retain humidity and maintain a stable temperature gradient. The house humidifier is not enough, and the temperature will swing with day and night-time temps because there is no capacity of the enclosure to hold heat. This is why he animal sits on top of his hide close to the lamp for heat and has to choose between security and thermoregulation. I don't deny that OP did some research, but I don't think he did enough, otherwise the screen cage would be a major red flag bad idea to him just like it is to most of us.

[Mangiapane85]

While I can respect that many people have many different ways of keeping their animals, there is a difference between successfully keeping an animal in a new or experimental set up, and an animal adapting successfully to a sub-optimal setup. Enduring and thriving are not the same things. I don't believe there's any way to make a screened cage an optimal environment for a ball python, not even a good one, unless the majority of it is covered to retain humidity and maintain a stable temperature gradient. The house humidifier is not enough, and the temperature will swing with day and night-time temps because there is no capacity of the enclosure to hold heat. This is why he animal sits on top of his hide close to the lamp for heat and has to choose between security and thermoregulation. I don't deny that OP did some research, but I don't think he did enough, otherwise the screen cage would be a major red flag bad idea to him just like it is to most of us.

While I agree that a mesh enclosure isn't ideal, it has been brought to my attention (I already was aware of this, but it was reiterated) that there are more ways than one. He does have a humidifier that is providing the proper humidity. (I'd bump it up just a bit though to get better sheds, 50% on the dot will almost always lead to a multi piece shed) and his temps are good.

So to the OP. I am very sorry for coming across as hostile. I, as well as others I'm sure, kind of get into this mindset that the animal should be kept in the same exact way that we keep ours... and that's just not the case. If what you have is working, keep doing it. If you start to notice changes, then we can help you address it from there.

Welcome to the best ball python forum on the internet, and we hope you stay.


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[Trisnake]

While I agree that a mesh enclosure isn't ideal, it has been brought to my attention (I already was aware of this, but it was reiterated) that there are more ways than one. He does have a humidifier that is providing the proper humidity. (I'd bump it up just a bit though to get better sheds, 50% on the dot will almost always lead to a multi piece shed) and his temps are good.

So to the OP. I am very sorry for coming across as hostile. I, as well as others I'm sure, kind of get into this mindset that the animal should be kept in the same exact way that we keep ours... and that's just not the case. If what you have is working, keep doing it. If you start to notice changes, then we can help you address it from there.

Welcome to the best ball python forum on the internet, and we hope you stay.


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I agree with this. I guess I am just of the strong opinion that if there are widely practiced, successful methods that there is no reason to put the animal through potential discomfort or stress by opting to use an unconventional set up. But like others have said, if it works it works, and if you have problems they aren't anything that can't be corrected.

I'm sorry if the tone of my posts was not the most forgiving. It was only out of concern for your animal and what I percieved (and still somewhat do) as an unwillingness to hear the advice of people with much more experience than you (OP).

I do welcome you to the forum, and hope that if you do experience problems with your enclosure that you are not so off-put by this thread to not ask the forum for help. The goal of this forum is to help fellow reptile owners learn more about and provide the best possible care for their cold-blooded companions. We all come together under that common goal, regardless of views or opinions. I'm sorry if the fierceness of our comments obscured that vision from you. As said before, we just want what's in the best interest of your animal.

[steelerandrew]

I agree with this. I guess I am just of the strong opinion that if there are widely practiced, successful methods that there is no reason to put the animal through potential discomfort or stress by opting to use an unconventional set up. But like others have said, if it works it works, and if you have problems they aren't anything that can't be corrected.

I'm sorry if the tone of my posts was not the most forgiving. It was only out of concern for your animal and what I percieved (and still somewhat do) as an unwillingness to hear the advice of people with much more experience than you (OP).

I do welcome you to the forum, and hope that if you do experience problems with your enclosure that you are not so off-put by this thread to not ask the forum for help. The goal of this forum is to help fellow reptile owners learn more about and provide the best possible care for their cold-blooded companions. We all come together under that common goal, regardless of views or opinions. I'm sorry if the fierceness of our comments obscured that vision from you. As said before, we just want what's in the best interest of your animal.

Hi,
That is absolutely not the case, I spent hours researching before deciding to make the purchase. I know I wanted a male ball python due to size. I was all set to purchase a 40 gallon tank, under tank heater with probe, lights, substrate, two hides, etc before I ran into this guy. I liked the setup and liked his reasoning for it. I will do my best to try to have this animal thrive, which, based upon what I cans see, he appears to be doing. My family has been handling him on a daily basis and he seems very happy.

thanks again and if I run into problems I will definitely adjust.

- - - Updated - - -

Sorry for the sarcasm.. it just gets frustrating that people come on to the site and totally negate what people with years and years of experience are trying to tell them.

The killer bee is a designer morph first produced by Kevin McGurley with New England Reptile Distributors in 1999. Spider being the dominant trait in the genetic makeup. I'm not sure what else you are wanting to know. .. they don't come from the wild, this morph is man made.

Also, would you mind posting a pic of your setup? My interest is piqued.

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I'm at work. I will definitely post some pics when I get home.

[steelerandrew]

OK,

Back to my original post. I am new to ball pythons and their morphology. I assume that someone found some different morphs in the wild and then took the time to breed to select certain traits. I imagine there must have been a great diversity of different types in order to come up with such a different variety of different looks. Is that pretty much the case? About how long ago did this gene selection process start to get us to where we are today?

[Eric Alan]

OK,

Back to my original post. I am new to ball pythons and their morphology. I assume that someone found some different morphs in the wild and then took the time to breed to select certain traits. I imagine there must have been a great diversity of different types in order to come up with such a different variety of different looks. Is that pretty much the case? About how long ago did this gene selection process start to get us to where we are today?

That's actually not really the case. What you're referring to is line breeding, which is a good practice, but not really a primary focus of most people in the hobby (selecting good examples, yes - line breeding, not so much). Most of the single gene morphs were found in the wild looking much like they still do today. Morph ball pythons have only really been a thing for 25 years or so, and have really only taken off in the last... 10 or so? Here's a pretty good write-up found right here on this site that'll make for some good light reading if you're interested: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-for-Beginners.

[Jeanne]

Steelerandrew.. Google NERD.. (New england reptile)... And spider gene... I am confident you will find the info you seek. Or, perhaps contact NERD and ask your questions as tht is who originally produced spider and it all grew from there.

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[Jeanne]

http://www.worldofballpythons.com/morphs/killer-bee/

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[Jeanne]

"The Ball Python Manual" by Vosjoli and Klingenberg DVM, Barker, Barker, and Bosch.

Good read!! Lots of info.


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[Jeanne]

The killer bee is a designer morph first produced by Kevin McGurley with New England Reptile Distributors in 1999. Spider being the dominant trait in the genetic makeup. I'm not sure what else you are wanting to know. .. they don't come from the wild, this morph is man made.

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