Simple snake noob questions

[PghBall]

I should have chimed in earlier but since things got a little chippy I kept silent. OP, I see you are from my neck of the woods. I don't know what part of Pittsburgh you are in but I am over in the South Hills. I can try and help you out if you need assistance. I assume you are probably setting up a tank for your enclosure so there are some things you can do to help with humidity, temps and your snakes overall security. Feel free to PM me if you want. Also, everyone here means well. Sometimes they will give answers that you may feel are derogatory, however they only have your snakes best interest in mind.

[JRLongton]

Going over to frozen thawed food animals is a great idea. I hated doing live feeds.

When you do your first thawed feed:

1) Make sure the rat is fully thawed. I let mine sit in a zip lock bag inside a thermos of hot water for a good half hour. The zip lock helps keep them dry (hopefully).

2) IMPORTANT use needle nose pliers, hemostats, or LONG tweezers. Do not attempt to feed bare handed!

I've been reading over your thread, and I'm convinced you'll soon develop into a much better snake keeper than the clown who gave your new pet. You're already learning a lot.

We all make mistakes, even people who do months of research. I've said it many times and will continue to say it, snake keeping is a practice.

Good luck and don't let the critics put you off. Pay attention, keep reading, watch your husbandry, and enjoy your snake!

[Queenofredlions]

Alright OP, I'm going to do the right thing and apologize for coming off harsh.

I started my first reply trying to help, and you went on the defensive. I came across straight forward and only spoke facts to try to steer you in the right direction. You immediately went on the defensive with your reply. You then went on to say that you've done research and if you hadn't you would have more than 4 questions (trust me, I've read EVERY word more than once). Yet you never heard about a thermostat or F/T prey. I just googled "ball python care" and opened the top 5 links: 4 mentioned a thermostat and all 5 mentioned F/T prey. Took less than 5 MINUTES. You also said you read the links I shared, one of which was the BP Caresheet from this forum. Guess what, it talks about thermostats and F/T prey...

I get that you only had a week, but the bottom line is, you could've researched more. And you didn't HAVE to take that snake. You could have researched properly and got a snake when the time was right.

I'm in the early RESEARCH stages of my next snake, which I won't be getting until late this year maybe not til next year. Because it takes time to properly research a living animal that will be in my care for 20+ years. And although I've been keeping snakes for years, I have way more than 4 questions.

You said you didn't like being accused of not doing research like you see happen to every beginner. NOT TRUE! There are plenty of beginners who have their enclosures set up properly with the proper equipment BEFORE bringing the snake home, sometimes months in advance, and those people are always praised.

All that said, if you feel I came of as rude, I'm sorry. That was not my intent. My intent was straight forward without sugar coating.

You say I'm a "disgustingly rude person", well I disagree, but we'll agree to disagree.

Lastly, I stand by every word I said. You did NOT do ample research, as many others have pointed out as well. Since you're BRAND NEW to snakes, maybe have a more open mind to constructive criticism moving forward...

I truly hope we can squash this little beef and move forward. I'm happy to help you with a more friendly tone moving forward if you're willing to be open to learning and willing to put in the time.

Again, I truly wish you and your snake the best.

i never said I didn’t hear of a thermostat, I just never understood what one was and google didn’t help me. When I think of thermostat I think of the thing that sits on the wall in your house and just tells you the temperature, which is why I got it confused with thermometer. I mean I know it controls the temp and everything, just couldn’t understand how it would do that for a snake without it being explained that things plug into it. Since I saw someone mention a temp gun, and I was familiar with that, I was close minded to thermostats. I did see mention to a thermostat in probably everything I read, was just intimidated by something I struggled to understand and didn’t want to admit because I feel really stupid about it.

im sure you’ll all be happy to hear that I’m actually really considering to go ahead and purchase one of those herpstats day after tomorrow on payday. My only question is what do the different numbers on them mean? Because I still don’t fully understand them, even reading their descriptions. Please tell me they’re easy to use. I do want what’s absolutely best for mr Noodles and have no issues spoiling him (or any of my animals) with nice things, but I also have bills due so I would like to avoid spending over $250 if possible.


also I’ve always, always, been aware of the fact that you can feed a snake f/t prey, just was told by friends that if they eat live they’ll eat only live. Since I’ve known I had wanted a snake in the future, I asked friends why they fed live anyway, because I didn’t think I could stomach watching a rat die. So I was misinformed there too.

Like I said, I spent as much time as I possibly could researching. I tried to ask the owner if I could think about it for a few days before I made a decision but he said he was trying to get rid of it ASAP. I did want more time to research, but I also wanted the opportunity while I had it or I would have kept putting it off and probably wouldnt have been able to budget for everything ever because I’m horrible with impulse buys 🙃. (Another example would be how I’ve been without a PC for 3 years and finally got one TODAY because my father sold me his old high end one for $200, and I could never budget to build myself a new PC) He gave me literally everything he had including the snake for $100, saying it was because he paid $300 for the tank itself. The following day I was so excited I went out and bought a second hide, a stick and some leafy decor things. I can see how you’re right about it being rushed, with the conflicting information I’ve came across and been confused by, and I know I was reading posts on this website from back in 2012. Now that I hear there’s things that change over time with care for them, I can see where my errors are. I just really don’t like being told I didn’t do any research when I really dedicated every second I had to reading about snakes, even when I had a few free minutes while I was at work.

I also plan on taking him to a vet on the following paycheck, just to make sure he’s healthy (which I’m pretty sure he is but again, I read that you should still take them for a check up to be sure)

i appreciate all the additional information ive gotten from posting this.

[Queenofredlions]

I should have chimed in earlier but since things got a little chippy I kept silent. OP, I see you are from my neck of the woods. I don't know what part of Pittsburgh you are in but I am over in the South Hills. I can try and help you out if you need assistance. I assume you are probably setting up a tank for your enclosure so there are some things you can do to help with humidity, temps and your snakes overall security. Feel free to PM me if you want. Also, everyone here means well. Sometimes they will give answers that you may feel are derogatory, however they only have your snakes best interest in mind.

I actually noticed your name a few days ago and gave your Facebook page a like so I could see all the different snakes there are if I’m to end up interested in getting another some day 🙂 I’m over in the Rocks, I’ve traveled through the south hills once though. It reminded me of a 2 lane twisty McKnight and gave me road rage 😂 I’ll do my best reach out when I need it, thank you.

[tttaylorrr]

i appreciate all the additional information ive gotten from posting this.

hey again, OP! i'm so glad to see you back! this reply makes me so hopeful for you and your new noodle! craig did a big thing admitting he was wrong, so i hope you cut him some slack!

from this reply, you're well on your way to proper husbandry and are truly understanding what that means. that's awesome!!!

other people have given you such good advice so please just listen to them. we want your noodle to grow big and strong!!!

[Queenofredlions]

hey again, OP! i'm so glad to see you back! this reply makes me so hopeful for you and your new noodle! craig did a big thing admitting he was wrong, so i hope you cut him some slack!

from this reply, you're well on your way to proper husbandry and are truly understanding what that means. that's awesome!!!

other people have given you such good advice so please just listen to them. we want your noodle to grow big and strong!!!

i thought I did ^^; but I’ve been listening and am definitely taking literally all of the advise. Like I said, I really love my snake and do want what’s absolutely best for him.
Sorry for the late replies, it’s just difficult for me to respond while I’m at work sometimes.....and I do sleep a lot..

[tttaylorrr]

i thought I did ^^; but I’ve been listening and am definitely taking literally all of the advise. Like I said, I really love my snake and do want what’s absolutely best for him.
Sorry for the late replies, it’s just difficult for me to respond while I’m at work sometimes.....and I do sleep a lot..

no worries! we love having you here. just keep us posted and we'll help you as much as we can.

[Craiga 01453]

i never said I didn’t hear of a thermostat, I just never understood what one was and google didn’t help me. When I think of thermostat I think of the thing that sits on the wall in your house and just tells you the temperature, which is why I got it confused with thermometer. I mean I know it controls the temp and everything, just couldn’t understand how it would do that for a snake without it being explained that things plug into it. Since I saw someone mention a temp gun, and I was familiar with that, I was close minded to thermostats. I did see mention to a thermostat in probably everything I read, was just intimidated by something I struggled to understand and didn’t want to admit because I feel really stupid about it.

im sure you’ll all be happy to hear that I’m actually really considering to go ahead and purchase one of those herpstats day after tomorrow on payday. My only question is what do the different numbers on them mean? Because I still don’t fully understand them, even reading their descriptions. Please tell me they’re easy to use. I do want what’s absolutely best for mr Noodles and have no issues spoiling him (or any of my animals) with nice things, but I also have bills due so I would like to avoid spending over $250 if possible.


also I’ve always, always, been aware of the fact that you can feed a snake f/t prey, just was told by friends that if they eat live they’ll eat only live. Since I’ve known I had wanted a snake in the future, I asked friends why they fed live anyway, because I didn’t think I could stomach watching a rat die. So I was misinformed there too.

Like I said, I spent as much time as I possibly could researching. I tried to ask the owner if I could think about it for a few days before I made a decision but he said he was trying to get rid of it ASAP. I did want more time to research, but I also wanted the opportunity while I had it or I would have kept putting it off and probably wouldnt have been able to budget for everything ever because I’m horrible with impulse buys 🙃. (Another example would be how I’ve been without a PC for 3 years and finally got one TODAY because my father sold me his old high end one for $200, and I could never budget to build myself a new PC) He gave me literally everything he had including the snake for $100, saying it was because he paid $300 for the tank itself. The following day I was so excited I went out and bought a second hide, a stick and some leafy decor things. I can see how you’re right about it being rushed, with the conflicting information I’ve came across and been confused by, and I know I was reading posts on this website from back in 2012. Now that I hear there’s things that change over time with care for them, I can see where my errors are. I just really don’t like being told I didn’t do any research when I really dedicated every second I had to reading about snakes, even when I had a few free minutes while I was at work.

I also plan on taking him to a vet on the following paycheck, just to make sure he’s healthy (which I’m pretty sure he is but again, I read that you should still take them for a check up to be sure)

i appreciate all the additional information ive gotten from posting this.

Look, we're going to just have to agree to disagree. You said you did research, I disagree. I think you read a few caresheets, retained what you wanted to and brought home a snake you were not properly prepared for. Now you're making excuses.

"Research" as defined by Merriam webster is: : 1 : careful or diligent search. 2 : studious inquiry or examination; especially : investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws.
3 : systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

That means instead of just moving on from something like thermostat confusion, you read and learn about it! It wasn't in every caresheet just to be read. It's there because your snake needs it. So just because you were "close minded" and "intimidated" and felt "really stupid" (all ypur words) you figured screw it...and the snake would be the one to suffer. That's not an acceptable excuse.

Since we're talking about a living creature I feel research, yes months worth, is required. Since you didn't have to take that snake you could have done research. If finances are in issue, then taking on a new pet, which could require hundreds of dollars worth of vet care at any point, may not have been wise at this time.

But, since you've already got the snake it's time to swallow your pride and actually dig in and LEARN ABOUT YOUR PET.
You can't just disregard terms you don't understand, nor can you just take advice from a few people. Cross reference your sources, explore options. If you don't understand something ask, because it's not about you, it's about the living, breathing life that now relies on you.

[PghBall]

Yes 51 sucks. One of the worst roads in Pittsburgh lol. Don't know anyone outside the South Hills that hasn't said exactly what you did

I actually noticed your name a few days ago and gave your Facebook page a like so I could see all the different snakes there are if I’m to end up interested in getting another some day I’m over in the Rocks, I’ve traveled through the south hills once though. It reminded me of a 2 lane twisty McKnight and gave me road rage I’ll do my best reach out when I need it, thank you.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

[Queenofredlions]

Look, we're going to just have to agree to disagree. You said you did research, I disagree. I think you read a few caresheets, retained what you wanted to and brought home a snake you were not properly prepared for. Now you're making excuses.

"Research" as defined by Merriam webster is: : 1 : careful or diligent search. 2 : studious inquiry or examination; especially : investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws.
3 : systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

That means instead of just moving on from something like thermostat confusion, you read and learn about it! It wasn't in every caresheet just to be read. It's there because your snake needs it. So just because you were "close minded" and "intimidated" and felt "really stupid" (all ypur words) you figured screw it...and the snake would be the one to suffer. That's not an acceptable excuse.

Since we're talking about a living creature I feel research, yes months worth, is required. Since you didn't have to take that snake you could have done research. If finances are in issue, then taking on a new pet, which could require hundreds of dollars worth of vet care at any point, may not have been wise at this time.

But, since you've already got the snake it's time to swallow your pride and actually dig in and LEARN ABOUT YOUR PET.
You can't just disregard terms you don't understand, nor can you just take advice from a few people. Cross reference your sources, explore options. If you don't understand something ask, because it's not about you, it's about the living, breathing life that now relies on you.

Lol alright dude I’m done with you don’t bother giving me advise ever cause I don’t want any from you. I swallowed my pride in my past reply to you and you couldn’t even be bother to drop it and just give me an answer on the herpstat so thanks for absolutely nothing but giving me garbage through this entire thread.