Lots of questions

[Ellatheballpytonlady]

I am getting a ball python tomorrow and am very excited. He will be my first snake although I have kept everything from reptiles to pigs my whole life. I have a few last minute questions that I think some experienced keepers would be very helpful answering.

1. Do most reptile expos sell frozen rodents?

2. My thermostat (herpstat intro) is set to 96 but I can't get the substrate temperature over 85. Should I just turn the thermostat up until I get the right temperature?

3. Any tips at all would be great, maybe something you wish you would have known before getting your first snake

4. I love animals more than I like most people so feeding rodents is a little sad to me. I understand they were breed for the purpose of being food, and that it is in the best interest of the snake so I will obviously give him the proper diet but I was wondering if there is anything that made you feel a little better about seeing a dead animals body.

thank you to the very helpful people of this forum!

[Gc99]

I can give you answers for 3 and 4 lol
3) I wish i had known that feeding outside the enclosure has no benefit and can actually make the snake go off food, despite being recommended by many sources. Oh, i wish i had known that there are far better substrates than aspen for a ball python, that you really really need a thermostat, and last i wish i had known how much of a pain is to keep humidity high enough in an aquarium with a screen lid and aspen
4) I honestly look at my feeders (insects and rodents) as just food. Meaning, i think of the rats exactly what i think about the meat in my fridge (they happen to be next to each other lol) its food, doesnt matter if its for me or the snakes or my other animals. I love rodents and ive had guinea pigs before but bottom line is, i have two snakes now and i want to keep them healthy with a proper diet. What makes me "feel better" after seing a little dead rat being swallowed is that a little living snake is getting fat and full lol
Welcome btw! Im still a noob myself, ask any "dumb questions" whenever you want, heck, i still ask them every now and then 😂😂 people here are extremely helpful, and please post some pics of your little bp when you get him/her

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[embrit345]

My one thing I had wished I had known before I started keeping snakes....... how amazing they are to keep and interact with because I would have started out years before! Oh and that "1" snake usually equates to lots of snakes hahaha

Just always remember, the only stupid question is the one that we don't ask xx


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[Zincubus]

I can give you answers for 3 and 4 lol
3) I wish i had known that feeding outside the enclosure has no benefit and can actually make the snake go off food, despite being recommended by many sources. Oh, i wish i had known that there are far better substrates than aspen for a ball python, that you really really need a thermostat, and last i wish i had known how much of a pain is to keep humidity high enough in an aquarium with a screen lid and aspen
4) I honestly look at my feeders (insects and rodents) as just food. Meaning, i think of the rats exactly what i think about the meat in my fridge (they happen to be next to each other lol) its food, doesnt matter if its for me or the snakes or my other animals. I love rodents and ive had guinea pigs before but bottom line is, i have two snakes now and i want to keep them healthy with a proper diet. What makes me "feel better" after seing a little dead rat being swallowed is that a little living snake is getting fat and full lol
Welcome btw! Im still a noob myself, ask any "dumb questions" whenever you want, heck, i still ask them every now and then people here are extremely helpful, and please post some pics of your little bp when you get him/her

Sent from my HTC Desire 626s using Tapatalk

Excellent points !

[Zincubus]

My one thing I had wished I had known before I started keeping snakes....... how amazing they are to keep and interact with because I would have started out years before! Oh and that "1" snake usually equates to lots of snakes hahaha

Just always remember, the only stupid question is the one that we don't ask xx


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So true on all points .

I would suggest using a vivarium / tank ahead of a RUB / plastic box for anyone just starting .

The difference in the experience is staggering in my opinion .

[Gc99]

My one thing I had wished I had known before I started keeping snakes....... how amazing they are to keep and interact with because I would have started out years before! Oh and that "1" snake usually equates to lots of snakes hahaha

Just always remember, the only stupid question is the one that we don't ask xx


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Oh i would know about the "one snake leads to more" i couldnt agree more lol. I got my first bp on december 24th, and then i got the second one on january 2nd (and im already planning on a third lol) they are soo amazing its hard to have only one. Ohhh, one last thing, i wish i had known that a half log is not a good hide for a ball python, and i wish i had bought frozen feeders since day one (it took one bite to my female to switch)

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[Finnsmom]

I have a question about the reptile basic hide boxes. I'm considering getting 2, but I think I will need the large size. I have a 20 gallon long tank. Does anyone know how big the hides are in person? Will 2 take over the whole tank?



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[Gc99]

I have a question about the reptile basic hide boxes. I'm considering getting 2, but I think I will need the large size. I have a 20 gallon long tank. Does anyone know how big the hides are in person? Will 2 take over the whole tank?



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Here you go

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[Zincubus]

I have a question about the reptile basic hide boxes. I'm considering getting 2, but I think I will need the large size. I have a 20 gallon long tank. Does anyone know how big the hides are in person? Will 2 take over the whole tank?



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Depends on the actual dimensions , sorry 20 gallon means nothing to me or others who work in lengths rather than volumes .

The lengths / dimensions of the hides are shown on the various websites of the people selling the hides .


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[Ellatheballpytonlady]

Everyone who replied has been very helpful! I have got temps and humidity under control and finally got my baby today! He is a butter yellow belly that I think is absolutely gorgeous. I will definitely be posting a new thread with pictures of him and his habitat once he is acclimated. I honestly don't think he would be half as well off as he is if I hadn't discovered this forum. Thanks again to everyone.