Considering a BP and had some Questions.

[MasonC2K]

Hello BP Forum….

Considering owning my 1^st BP and this forum has been really helpful answering my questions but the more I read, the more I get conflicting answers. So was hoping that I could send out some of my questions to get your opinion(s)….

I’m planning to house my BP in a glass tank. With the proper heating pad and bulb(s) is it fairly easy to achieve the proper temperate needed?

You can. It can just be really hard depending on where you live. I live in the south so humidity was never really an issue for me. But in dryer parts of the country or if your residence is super insulated from the native humidity you will have problems. As for temps, as long as you have a good tstat you will be fine. I would suggest only go with under tank heat. Only you light for display, not heat.

I’m planning on feeding my BP F/T (live will not work for me). If the snake doesn’t eat, do you just toss the F/T out and where? And try again how soon after?

BP's can be really finicky and anal feeders. Some simply will not take FT. I would suggest buying an animla that is a little older and already a proven FT eater.

Do you feed your BP in its housing area or a separate enclosure? I’ve read so many conflicting answers on this. I don’t want my BP to associate my hand w/ food when I enter his tank and strike.

In the enclosure. Them associating your hand with food is a myth. But when they are in food mode some will tag whatever comes in. With experience you can tell by their body language. But for you I'd recommend what is called hook training. It need no be a hook. A paper towel tube will work. Just reach it and tap them with it. That will let them know for sure it's not feeding time.

Is there a recommend ‘type / model’ of tank to use. I want to make sure I reduce the chances of the BP escaping.

If you are going to fish tank style route start with a 20L. If they get big you can move them to a 40L. Most terrarium tanks have a place to add a lock for security. An actual fish tank you will have to find a way to secure the lid.

However, there are specially glass terrariums that don't have screen tops and can be opened from the front.

There are so many MORPHS out there. Is there a good cheat sheet out there to outline what the snake will look like? Each time I ‘think’ I know which morph, I want, I see a picture that disproves my thought. Right now, I’m enamored w/ Ultramels and Bananas…which could change

http://www.worldofballpythons.com/

Last but not least…I’m still a little tense about the possibility of getting struck. I’ve heard it doesn’t hurt but it’s probably more of the fear part. Is this something that comes w/ time of getting comfortable w/ my BP?

BP's rarely bite. But when they do it's more of the psychology that will get you. Physically it's done so fast you barely realize it. You may bleed like a mofo for a minute but usually about 30 minutes later you won't even be able to tell anything happened.

Oh and you will finding conflicting things because as you get more experienced you can do things that a new person shouldn't just because things can go wrong if you don't know what you are doing. It's more like the play it safe rules vs the "let's play with the rules" rules.

Welcome aboard.