List of supplies needed for "first" time owner

[Nourdmrolnmt1]

Buying a ball python for my GF tonight from pet store (i know, expensive) but i need a list of what i need for a small 10 gallon tank.

this will be her 3rd snake, my first to buy.

she has a large tank back home but not one here at school.

so far i have

Temp guage
UTH
10 gallon cage (no duh)
newspaper for bedding
shoebox/cerealbox/box
water tank.

anything else???

thanks

[Smulkin]

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=52

Look over the caresheet as well.

I'd strongly suggest a digital thermometer/hygrometer for gauging whats going on in the setup - the analogue gauges are notoriously innacurate for temps.

If you're using a 10gal and (i assume) screen lid I'd go right ahead and get the screen lid covered with something like transparent ConTac paper, plexi or plastic to better retain heat and humidity.

Any questions on anything just post away - always a host of great folks here to answer!

[jglass38]

What will you be using to control the temps of that UTH? They can reach temps of over 115 degrees and cause thermal burns on the snake. At the very least you need a rheostat (dimmer) and preferably a thermostat.

[Nourdmrolnmt1]

yea, im gunna get an el cheapo 10 gallon tank from walmart since this will only be used for about 3 months im guessing.

i was going to get an Accurite Thermometer from wally world as well.

after reading the care page, i was wondering if a "back warmer" thingy from wally world would work as well to be a cheap UTH as long as it doesnt have an auto shutoff

[jglass38]

You still need something to control the temperature regardless of what type of heat source you buy. Most of the new human heat pads have auto shutoff as a safety precaution. I cant stress enough that you need a rheostat or t-stat.

[Nourdmrolnmt1]

You still need something to control the temperature regardless of what type of heat source you buy. Most of the new human heat pads have auto shutoff as a safety precaution. I cant stress enough that you need a rheostat or t-stat.

i was under the assumption that most of the back warmers came with diff. setings (the one back at my house did) and that would be enough to keep a good temp for the cage.

if not please let me know more about the heating, its what i know the least about from my research. and i know its very important.


does a cheap wally world tank have a spot for a lock?? in order for her to keep the snake in her apartment the cage must have a padlockable tank

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

You still need something to control the temperature regardless of what type of heat source you buy. Most of the new human heat pads have auto shutoff as a safety precaution. I cant stress enough that you need a rheostat or t-stat.

Don't most human heat pads also have a rheostat built in to adjust temperatures?

[daniel1983]

Nowadays human heat pads are built with automatic shutoffs to prevent people burning their houses down from leaving them running consistantly. I would suggest getting an actually heater that is made for reptiles.

[Krynos]

We have one, and it has three settings. The lowest is too hot. We use it when we move Cleo out of her viv for cleaning. We put her in a small tub on the human heater pad. We had to put a couple of thick rolled up towels inbetween to get the temps down into the high 80's range.

[Nourdmrolnmt1]

Nowadays human heat pads are built with automatic shutoffs to prevent people burning their houses down from leaving them running consistantly. I would suggest getting an actually heater that is made for reptiles.

ok.

looks like all my supplies are gunna come from the pet store other than the thermometer.

o well, her dad is buying that stuff