BP cage setup question

[Sunnieskys]

So the answer you seek requires us to ask more questions? What is your humidity at in your tank? What is the temperature where your water is? What is the temperature where the skull is? Where is your "heat mat thingy" or under tank heater UTH located? Is your UTH regulated with thermostat?

Take that heat gage out of your tank now. It sticks and your snake can get it off and stuck to him when he climbs on it....and he will climb on it.

So to answer your question requires more info.

We we are trying to help you and your snake.

[tttaylorrr]

I also have a heating pad thing under the tank. Also I plan on getting another hide in a couple of days. But what I was originally asking was is, would it be better to have the light over the skull so the BP can lay on top of the skull as a basking spot (and be closer to the heat from the light).

please provide answers to @craigafrechette's questions: it's important because everyone's environment, set-up and temps are different, and there is no singular solution to a problem. what works for me may not work for you. @craigafrechette is very knowledgeable and his advice will definitely help you once he understands your situation.

you mention a UTH, but which side is it on? personally my CHE is on the cool side of the enclosure, away from the UTH. however, like i mentioned above, this might not work for you due to a number of reasons which is why we ask lots of questions.

this might be my only reply for a day or two but i (as well as everyone else) want to help as best i can! help us help you.

EDIT: ALL heat sources MUST be regulated, either by thermoSTAT or rheostat.

[Jigsaw82]

On a side note, I think it's kind of funny... Logan (that's my BP name) looks like he's eating the brains out of the skull in the pics I attached.

[Sunnieskys]

Thanks for your help. No they are not regulated by a thermostat so I'll unplug the heating pad and watch the temp closely. Also before you mention it I realize that the tank itself is on the small side but I figured it would suffice while he's a baby. I do plan on getting a much bigger tank in a couple of months.

Small is fine to start. He needs more places to hide. Fake plants work wonders. You're going to lose any humidity with a mesh top so cover it with foil and tape the edges down on the outside of the tank. Nothing sticky ever goes inside of the tank.

[tttaylorrr]

On a side note, I think it's kind of funny... Logan (that's my BP name) looks like he's eating the brains out of the skull in the pics I attached.

zombie snake? looks like you'll be doing a lot of braining with your prey items.

[tttaylorrr]

Small is fine to start. He needs more places to hide. Fake plants work wonders. You're going to lose any humidity with a mesh top so cover it with foil and tape the edges down on the outside of the tank. Nothing sticky ever goes inside of the tank.

i'm on mobile, could you link the "How To" sticky on glass enclosure set-ups for OP? it might help them.

[Sunnieskys]

I also suggest you go look at the stickies or pinned posts called hides my way by Deborah and how to set up a glass tank. They are both in BP husbandry I believe.

- - - Updated - - -

i'm on mobile, could you link the "How To" sticky on glass enclosure set-ups for OP? it might help them.

I gotchu Taylor lol

[KayLynn]

- Ball pythons don't need a basking spot, most people who use lighting do not use heat lamps as they're not needed for ball pythons. 99% of the time lighting is for a day/night cycle (which isn't generally necessary either) or for lighting in display caging. If it helps you keep ambient temps up that's fine too, but keeping your humidity where it needs to be will be a total pain with a heat lamp.

- If that thermometer has a sticky back on it like tape, take it out of that tank asap. If your bp tries to climb on it and it pops off, the back of it can stick to your snake and cause some serious damage.

- You need a thermostat like craigafrechette said. The temps on heat pads can spike when they're not controlled.

- I reccomend covering the sides and back of that tank with paper on the outside. It'll help to keep your bp from stressing because he won't be able to see all the things outside of the glass, and will make the space feel smaller and snug.

- To better regulate humidity you should cover the top of the cage with tinfoil or with a towel, and leave 1-2 inches uncovered for air circulation.

- You need at least 2 hides for your ball python, and until you get the second one get fake plants or put crumpled paper in there to clutter it up. The more open things are and the more exposed your snake feels, the more stressed out it will be.

Best guideline for tank setups:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures!

Affordable thermostat:
https://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTP.../dp/B000NZZG3S

Good hydrometer:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (or something like this one, there are a zillion and they're all pretty cheap)

I hope this helps! Did you pick up that little snoot at a petsmart or petco? The people who work there can be super nice, but hardly ever helpful when it comes to husbandry.

[Jigsaw82]

Thanks, great info.

- Ball pythons don't need a basking spot, most people who use lighting do not use heat lamps as they're not needed for ball pythons. 99% of the time lighting is for a day/night cycle (which isn't generally necessary either) or for lighting in display caging. If it helps you keep ambient temps up that's fine too, but keeping your humidity where it needs to be will be a total pain with a heat lamp.

- If that thermometer has a sticky back on it like tape, take it out of that tank asap. If your bp tries to climb on it and it pops off, the back of it can stick to your snake and cause some serious damage.

- You need a thermostat like craigafrechette said. The temps on heat pads can spike when they're not controlled.

- I reccomend covering the sides and back of that tank with paper on the outside.

- To better regulate humidity you should cover the top of the cage with tinfoil or with a towel, and leave 1-2 inches uncovered for air circulation.

- You need at least 2 hides for your ball python, and until you get the second one get fake plants or put crumpled paper in there to clutter it up. The more open things are and the more exposed your snake feels, the more stressed out it will be.

Best guideline for tank setups:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures!

Affordable thermostat:
https://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTP.../dp/B000NZZG3S

Good hydrometer:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (or something like this one, there are a zillion and they're all pretty cheap)

I hope this helps! Did you pick up that little snoot at a petsmart or petco? The people who work there can be super nice, but hardly ever helpful when it comes to husbandry.

[Craiga 01453]

Thanks for your help. No they are not regulated by a thermostat so I'll unplug the heating pad and watch the temp closely. Also before you mention it I realize that the tank itself is on the small side but I figured it would suffice while he's a baby. I do plan on getting a much bigger tank in a couple of months.

Actually, you will find a smaller enclosure is better for a juvenile ball python. You could actually go smaller. Ball pythons rely very heavily on feeling safe and secure. So sometimes a smaller enclosure will help the animal feel safer.
This is why it's important to provide two (or more) proper hides for the snake, one at each end of the enclosure. Then adding clutter like fake plants adds to their sense of security.

In order for a BP to eat and be healthy, it needs proper husbandry. Providing the proper temps, humidity, and security are your top priorities in order to achieve proper husbandry and provide a proper home for your snake. One major problem people run into with their snakes is that they won't eat, especially BPs. They can be very finicky and husbandry is usually to blame.

Check out the stickies on husbandry and setting up tanks, They will answer a lot of the questions you have. After reading through those I'm happy to help with any questions you still have.

Good luck, ask any questions and keep us posted.