Ball Python Housing Questions

[Cwilson187]

So, I purchased my ball python the other day at PetSmart along with some housing items.
10gal tank (I know it's small, I plan on getting a much larger one as he grows), water bowl,
log, bedding, ceramic light, 40w Infared basking bulb, 13w UVB bulb and 2 thermometers which
one has a humidity gauge on it.

Now, I am a new snake handler/owner. But I have a few questions about some concerning things.

1. I cannot keep the humidity at 60 more than an hour. I'm guessing it's because of the log that's
in there, sucking the moisture up. It seems to dry up pretty quick. Also, may be because I didn't have the water dish under the heat lamp. So I moved the water dish to the heat side and moved the hiding rock into the middle. So I'm guessing it's gonna be sorta warm in the middle where he is now. I fed him and that's where he been since, under the rock. So any advise about humidity, let it roll.

2. I've been hearing that feeding pythons in a feeding box is a good idea but also bad. I'm just trying to avoid getting bit. Also, I'm feeding him frozen fuzzies. Heard that live is better, advise?

3. Last question, he seems to have a blue tint on his head. Not sure if it's because he's about to shed or what.

I'll post the pictures when I can of the tank and Luka (My Ball Python)

Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated being that I'm new to this.

Thanks
-Chris

[danielwilu2525]

Lemme start off with humidity. Where is the blue tint in his head? You mean the eyes? If so, then he is going into shed. Also those logs hides are not that good. They don't provide the security that they really need. If I were in your position, I'd completely ditch the tank and move the snake into a tub. Size of tub depends on the size of snake. The bulbs kill the humidity. Now if you want to stay with a tank, than you should cover the top with foil. I wouldn't keep the lights, rather just get a thermostat and a heat pad. You should really look into the exo terra hides and the RBI hides. I used them and they are amazing!! If you are willing to switch to a tub then just put substrate (keep in mind that tubs keep humidity really well, and I mean really well.) put the heat pad under the tub (make sure it covers 1/3 of the tub). I'd pluck holes in the tub since these give you more humidity rather than less. Which is better than getting less. Also I see you mentioned "gauges". If these aren't digital I'd replace them with digital ones. As for the feeding in a box, it's a myth. It's not beneficial to the snake. If he's eating frozen than keep him on frozen!!! It's safer and more convenient. I hope any of this helped . If you have any more questions just PM me.

[PitOnTheProwl]

So, I purchased my ball python the other day at PetSmart along with some housing items.
10gal tank (I know it's small, I plan on getting a much larger one as he grows), water bowl,
log, bedding, ceramic light, 40w Infared basking bulb, 13w UVB bulb<--waste of money for a nocturnal animal. and 2 thermometers which
one has a humidity gauge on it.

Now, I am a new snake handler/owner. But I have a few questions about some concerning things.

1. I cannot keep the humidity at 60 more than an hour. I'm guessing it's because of the log that's
in there, sucking the moisture up. It seems to dry up pretty quick. Also, may be because I didn't have the water dish under the heat lamp. So I moved the water dish to the heat side and moved the hiding rock into the middle. So I'm guessing it's gonna be sorta warm in the middle where he is now. I fed him and that's where he been since, under the rock. So any advise about humidity, let it roll.Cover the screened top that you are using. Better option would be a $5 tub from WalMart.

2. I've been hearing that feeding pythons in a feeding box is a good idea but also bad. I'm just trying to avoid getting bit. Also, I'm feeding him frozen fuzzies. Heard that live is better, advise?Mice or Rat? There is no need to stress your animal more than needed by moving it. What is the weight of your animal?

3. Last question, he seems to have a blue tint on his head. Not sure if it's because he's about to shed or what.Probably the iridescent of the skin.

I'll post the pictures when I can of the tank and Luka (My Ball Python)

Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated being that I'm new to this.

Thanks
-Chris

[Cwilson187]

The tint is like on the top of his head and a little somewhat on the eyes. And I wanted to keep him in tanks so my kids can watch him and I can sit there and watch him as well. I found a 33" tank for cheap so I was going to get that for now and then possibly build him a box somewhere with plexiglass and a wooden frame obviously but that's time down the road. I talked to a lady that runs an exotic pet store and she also said to get rid of the lamps but get heat tape. So, I've been told pads and heat tape. And as far as the log/branch thing, I took it out, put the hide rock which is plastic, in the middle and the water bowl under the heat lamp to try and help the humidity. It does help keep it up a little longer but then drops back down. So here soon I'm going to be buying the bigger tank and upgrades.

So for now, being that I'm a little tight on money do you think the foil will help with the humidity until I get the bigger tank with the UHV or heat tape?

And here's some pictures.


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[Cwilson187]

This is how I have the tank set up now.


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[sufficio]

You definitely need at least two hides, unless the underside of the water dish has a hiding spot we can't see. They need a hot hide and a cool hide, one on each side, at the least. One tip that helped me for humidity is to spray a towel with hot water and lay it over half the top. Usually boosts the humidity super quickly, and the towel covering some of the top will help hold the humidity in there.

[GoingPostal]

No matter what your snake is in, you aren't going to see it 99% of the time. Ball pythons are a shy nocturnal species and hang out in their hides the vast majority of the time. Being in too open of a cage like glass tanks are tends to stress them out. Fish tanks just aren't made for snakes, they don't hold humidity or heat, they are poorly shaped, heavy and breakable. PVC cages or tubs tend to offer more security and are heated through heat mats/tape or radiant heat panels which doesn't suck the humidity out or be as much of a fire/burn risk as a lamp.

Those type of temp and humidity gauges are not accurate at all and they aren't telling temps where you snake is so pretty useless. I use accurate digital ones for a quick glance at temps, one probe on the hot spot and then put the rest on the other side to see what ambient is about but temp guns are the way to go to judge temps directly. Any source of heat needs to be on a thermostat to control it, that way temps aren't changing wildly and burning or underheating your animal. I use herpstats. As ball pythons don't bask a ceramic heat emitter would probably be better than one that emits light, they put off a lot of heat and need to be on a dimmer. The UV isn't needed at all. Couple identical tight hides as mentioned, feed in the tank, much more likely to get bit trying to move a hungry snake.

[Cwilson187]

No matter what your snake is in, you aren't going to see it 99% of the time. Ball pythons are a shy nocturnal species and hang out in their hides the vast majority of the time. Being in too open of a cage like glass tanks are tends to stress them out. Fish tanks just aren't made for snakes, they don't hold humidity or heat, they are poorly shaped, heavy and breakable. PVC cages or tubs tend to offer more security and are heated through heat mats/tape or radiant heat panels which doesn't suck the humidity out or be as much of a fire/burn risk as a lamp.

So, where is a good place to get the PVC cages? As I said previously, I plan on upgrading and when I do I want it to be right so I have a healthy and a non disgruntled snake. I hear so many different things from so many people too. The lady I spoke with at the exotic pet store said that tanks are fine but to use heat tape. The whole theory behind the tank that I like is being able to see him but as you said, you don't see them a lot which I'm seeing this now. After I fed him, he went under the rock and hasn't moved since. Which, I want to handle him but I know to leave them alone for 2-3 days after feeding.

[GoingPostal]

There are a ton of choices for pvc cages, animal plastics t8s are very popular for bps, herptastic has ball boxes, there's vision, boaphile, monster cages and probably a dozen small companies I can't remember off hand.

[Cwilson187]

I'll check those sites out. I'm just trying to make it right. I want a healthy and friendly BP. So providing him with the best of anything I can, I will. Just tight money situation right now so with what I have now, I have to make work.


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