Considering a BP and had some Questions.

[ckuhn003]

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?

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?

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.

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

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

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?

Thanks for everyone’s time!

[tttaylorrr]

you'll always find conflicting solutions to keeping beeps; there's more than one way to cook a potato. what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. what's important is learning proper husbandry and coming up with your own solutions that work for you as well as the snake.

a glass enclosure is a PITA to maintain. for a first-time owner i have to recommend a tub: SUPER easy to maintain proper temps and humidity and babies thrive in them.

you can't say "live will not work for me" because this isn't about YOU. if your baby doesn't eat for 3 months and is losing weight, you might have to try live. this is the reality of owning a beep. what works for YOU might not work for the snake.
you can refreeze an unaccepted feeder and try to offer it a week later, but you can only refreeze a feeder once. where you toss it out is up to you. my backyard is a giant field so i'm lucky to toss unaccepted feeders over the fence and they're gone by morning.

feed in the enclosure. a separate feeding tub is counterproductive and stressful to the snake.

recommended enclosure: a tub, AP Cage once they're adult.

worldofballpythons.com is an excellent resource on morphs.

here's a video i watched to try and "prepare" me for the reality that i WILL be bit one day. the guy's calm demeanor and his talking to the viewers helped me realize it isn't so bad.

just to add: a THERMOSTAT will be the single most important piece of equipment you buy for the snake, and should be one of the first things you research and purchase. a thermostat is absolutely necessary, as is regulating ALL heat sources whether by thermostat or rheostat.

[ckuhn003]

Really appreciate the time taken to answer my questions....

I've heard the same about a tub being easier to maintain but ultimately Id like to have something a little more aesthetically pleasing then a tub. I'll do some more research to see what's out there.

My plan was to purchase an established F/T eater from a reputable breeder so i'm 'hoping' I won't have to go the live route.

So If I feed in the enclosure will the snake mistake my hand for feeding when I just want to pick him up, clean the cage, etc...??

Definitely planning on purchasing a recommended thermostat.

Thanks again!

[tttaylorrr]

Really appreciate the time taken to answer my questions....

you're very welcome!

I've heard the same about a tub being easier to maintain but ultimately Id like to have something a little more aesthetically pleasing then a tub. I'll do some more research to see what's out there.

it's possible to have a glass enclosure maintain proper temps and humidity, but it will be a constant battle. i have one glass enclosure for my youngest beep and i can't wait for her to outgrow it lol.

My plan was to purchase an established F/T eater from a reputable breeder so i'm 'hoping' I won't have to go the live route.

good to hear! i just want you to be aware that you might HAVE to offer live one day if an issue arrises.

So If I feed in the enclosure will the snake mistake my hand for feeding when I just want to pick him up, clean the cage, etc...??

"cage aggression" is a myth. short answer: no.

Definitely planning on purchasing a recommended thermostat.

Thanks again!

feel free to ask any questions you have. we're here to help!

[JodanOrNoDan]

Really appreciate the time taken to answer my questions....

I've heard the same about a tub being easier to maintain but ultimately Id like to have something a little more aesthetically pleasing then a tub. I'll do some more research to see what's out there.

You can always switch to a tank once you get a little experience and the animal is settled in.

So If I feed in the enclosure will the snake mistake my hand for feeding when I just want to pick him up, clean the cage, etc...??

If the prey is the right temp and you feed with tongs this should not be an issue. If you think the snake is in feed mode you can always tough him with a paper towel roll to let him know it is not time to eat. The animals pick up on patterns. If you follow the same pattern all the time there are rarely issues.

[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.

[ckuhn003]

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.


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.



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.



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.

http://www.worldofballpythons.com/



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.

I live in the south as well (Atlanta,GA) and planning to attend the GA Repticon this weekend to ask questions, see some MORPHs, etc.... I'm definately going w/ the under tank heat but thought I would need possibly two lights (day and night) to produce the heat throughout the enclosure.

Do you recommend the terrariums that open from the front vs coming in from the top?

[bcr229]

Most people use tubs for babies/juvies because they're inexpensive, easy to set up, secure, easy to clean, and will hold the correct temps and humidity for the snake without a lot of daily work by the keeper. Once the snake reaches adult size it goes into a PVC display-type enclosure or a rack.

Personally I don't care for lights. They are expensive to purchase and run, bulbs blow fairly often (and usually at the worst time so you always want two spares on hand), and they will clobber humidity. Ball pythons also don't need more than ambient light anyway.

A bite from a kitten hurts worse than a bite by a ball python.

[MasonC2K]

I live in the south as well (Atlanta,GA) and planning to attend the GA Repticon this weekend to ask questions, see some MORPHs, etc.... I'm definately going w/ the under tank heat but thought I would need possibly two lights (day and night) to produce the heat throughout the enclosure.

Do you recommend the terrariums that open from the front vs coming in from the top?

1) Only if the cool end is lower than 75 most of the time. If so, then a small watt light might help that. But you'd have to play with it.

2) Yes, a front open if better because of the lack of the screen top which will hold in humidity and temps better.

[crosskira]

I'm a new bp owner and here's what I've found and done:

A tank with a screened lid is the absolute worst to start with. Keeping the heat was fairly easy, but I could never ever keep the humidity stable and it was much harder to control. Basically I was stressed all day worrying about it! At the last reptile show I purchased a plastic enclosure with a front opening door, no screened top and it has back vents. It's basically a plastic tub but more attractive. Try to look for something like that at the next show! The only thing you have to worry about it keeping your room a good temp (I have a heater).

Getting a front opening tank really made my bp feel more secure.

Thermostats will save your sanity.

A temperature gun is very useful.

Day and night lights are unnecessary and opening a window can help regulate day/night (don't let light shine directly in so it doesn't heat the tank up too hot).

Ball pythons are very sensitive and you will know if they are not happy with their enclosure. Security is important.

You may have to try live. Before that make sure they've been eating reliably (IMPORTANT) and eating f/t. It could take anywhere from 1 week to 1 month until they eat. Don't try too much if they don't, wait 5-7 days to try again. TIPS: ask your breeder what size you should get. Then get that size. When thawing, I put mine in a Ziploc and then put it in a cup of lukewarm water with a lid. Wait 30 minutes. Then I switch the water to hot water from the faucet (not burning) and soak for 30. To get my bp to eat I had to brain the mouse, which was cut it's head open and pinch out brain matter (ew I know). After that I blow-dry until my temp gun reads around 115/120 and by the time I give it it has cooled to a good temp. Mochi takes it right away. Braining it what got him to eat!

I feed Mochi in his enclosure. My mouse isn't wet so substrate doesn't stick very much. Also he's never bitten me. However he's like the sweetest snake ever, I can't see him even trying.

My bp is a banana lesser and he's ADORABLE! Bananas are also my fave, but the breeder, price, and personality will influence your decision a lot.

You're going to try a lot of different things until you get it down! I honestly have a notebook and whiteboard dedicated to my snakes because it's a lot of info. You'll get it!