Analyze my new BP enclosure

[modrummer]

Hey everyone,

My wife and I are picking up our first ball python tonight! It's a Male Lesser, a little over a year old.

In preparation, I set up the enclosure after doing some research on this forum. I was hoping you guys could take a look at it and let me know if there's anything I should change or anything I'm missing. The right side of the enclosure has a large UTH regulated by a thermostat.



http://imgur.com/a/7UFfE

[Eru_Iluvatar]

It all looks nice and I imagine you can't wait to see it in!
The only minor thing I would do is to put some substrate so you can spot clean, or else you would have to take everything out when he defecates and urinates if you are using paper towels.
You can use aspen shavings (easy to clean, holds well humidity but it can create a little bit of mold)
Or you can use cypress mulch (fairly easy to clean, holds moisture really well, mold resistant, but you may find it hard to see where they sell it)
You can use other types of beding, but I stick to these two.
Good luck and congratulations!

[modrummer]

Ok cool. I did some research on substrate, and I found a lot of people saying to just use unprinted paper, so that's what I currently have in there. Are you saying I should put some more natural substrate like the Cyprus mulch ON TOP of the current unprinted paper?

Thanks for the help.

[Eru_Iluvatar]

Yes, you can do that aswell. When you put the cypress mulch on top of it, you can clean only the parts that are dirty without having to dismantle everything eachtime he makes a mess. By putting the mulch on top of the paper when you want to clean everything up, you just bend the paper by half and you get almost eveything out.

[paulrobert]

I would probably move the heat lamp a little closer to the left so it aligns with the UTH (I'm assuming it's on the left side). That might create a better heat gradient.
I agree with Eru_Iluvatar in regards to the substrate both in terms of spot cleaning and for aesthetics (if that's what you're looking for).
Other than that, just monitor your temp. and humidity because all else looks fine.

Sweet setup btw!
Cheers!

[modrummer]

Ok awesome, I'll take your advice, thanks!

Is the Cyprus Mulch from my local hardware store safe to use? Or do I need to order a special type?

[Rikoku]

I personally wouldn't bother with Cyprus Mulch or Aspen, the newspaper is perfectly fine. I do get the idea of spot cleaning but unprinted newspaper is about 100 sheets for 5 dollars at uhaul and an enclosure that size will only use 1/2 the sheet so it wouldn't be costly to just replace it instead and you will maintain a cleaner enclosure. You already have the screen top covered so your humidity should be pretty good. The only thing I see that can be an issue is that you are going to want two identical hides in there, one on the cool side and one on the warm side so your BP doesn't choose security over thermoregulation.

[paulrobert]

... The only thing I see that can be an issue is that you are going to want two identical hides in there, one on the cool side and one on the warm side so your BP doesn't choose security over thermoregulation.

Looks like he may have a smaller hide on the right side, but that could just be a rock. My only suggestion to that would be to make sure there is a hide above the UTH / Under the heat lamp for a warm spot hide.
Looks like the snake can hide under the plants as they provide a lot of hiding space for the cooler side.

One last bit of advice is to monitor the humidity as it may get too high depending on where the terrarium is located. The terrarium in my basement maintains a consistent 50% without the need to mist or cover anything.

[modrummer]

To clarify the hides, there are two identical half-log hides, one on each side (one of them is almost impossible to see because of the foliage). As well as a hollowed out rock hide more towards the middle. I haven't attached my UTH yet because I wasn't sure which side would be better to put it on. You guys seem to be suggesting the left, but I thought it would be better on the right so the water dish isn't getting crazy hot?

Maybe I'm nitpicking and it really doesn't matter that much as long as my temps and humidity are correct.

[shelpen]

I think you setup is fine!

Have you ran the UTH and the heat lamp together to establish the proper temp?
I think BPs generally prefer "hollowed out rock" hides than half-log ones. But who knows, yours may love the latter.
You can safely reduce the size of the water dish -- it's more like a mini swimming pool really. But again, BPs love crowded environment.

Start with the setup you have right now and tweak it as you see fit. I started with aspen shavings -- now use paper towels. My UTH is on the right side (regulated, of course) and the heat lamp is in the middle over the water dish. Two identical hides on the opposite sides. Foliage.