Quote Originally Posted by Ellatheballpytonlady View Post
I plan on getting my first ball python April 6 and was wondering if any keepers have tips regarding anything at all. Also how do you guys acquire your F/T rodents? Are the frozen rodents at chain pet stores a bad option? How do you thaw your rodents? Would butcher paper be an acceptable substrate or is something that holds humidity better? Do your feed with feeding tongs? What brand of feeding tongs if so? Is a snake hook over kill for a BP? Do you ball pythons climb occasionally? I have been seeing black plastic hides with small openings on the forum. What brand are those hides? Some members suggested I black out 3 sides of my 40 gal tank. Would blacking it out be best? What is a snake product you couldn't live without? Do you typically let a snake adjust to its environment and not touch them for a little bit? If so how long do you let them adjust?

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. If you can answer a question or two it would be greatly appreciated.
I usually purchase frozen from reptile expos to save on shipping. As the collection has grown though I have been breeding rats to cut down on feeder costs.
I thaw my rats over night in the fridge and then leave in the snake room for about an hour before feeding with a quick shot from a hair dryer to warm.
Butcher paper is fine as long as you can maintain proper humidity. Which if you are using a tank will be a challenge. I would recommend something such as eco earth to help maintain humidity.
I do use tongs for feeding as I do not want to stress my snake if it accidentally misses and tags me instead of the rat. They are just standard grilling tongs. I do not use a hook though.
One thing I would not want to give up at this point is my racks. They maintain temp. and humidity so well it would be impossible for me to go back to anything else.
I do leave the snake alone for a while after I first purchase. It helps to acclimate to the new environment. They are plenty stressed out as it is and I see no reason to increase that stress. Plenty of time to play later. Typically 2 weeks for me with only interaction is to feed and clean.

Don't forget to quarantine once you get more than one! It can save lives! And we all get more than one.


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