Please help, IM NEW!!!

[white_gorilla_x]

Hey everyone, new to the site, bunch of questions, so on with it...

I've been doing a lot of research before actually going ahead to buy my first BP. I dont want to get it until i feel i know as much as possible, and have everything set up, so first, tank size. Id like to start with a regular bp, so a local told me to get this 20 gallon set up, when i look at it, it seems kind of small, would the snake be happier if i went for the 40 gallon? A local breeder has eggs hatching in june, so i want to be ready. Also, bottom substrate? As well as if i get a larger tank, how much wood, hideouts, and other fixtures is too much? I dont want to over crowd it, but also to make it feel at home. Thanks for all the help, hope non of this sounds too lame, but i had a bad incident buying a sick turtle from a local shop, which killed my entire collection, so i want to be sure everything is right.

Andy

[Shelby]

Welcome! You've come to the right place.

first off.. smaller tanks are better for babies. Believe it or not a big tank can be scary and stressful for a baby ball. A 10 gallon will be plenty big. (I prefer rubbermaid/sterilite tubs to tanks though since they're better for keeping humidity and temperatures correct)

There are several good things to use for substrate. I use newspaper myself, but if you want something to look good, you can try cypress mulch (the repti-bark stuff is nice) or aspen shavings. Coconut fiber beddings like bed-a-beast are fine too.

You want at the very least two hides. One on each end of the tank (cool and warm side) Hides should be dark, tight, and secure feeling for the snake. Half log hides suck in my opinion.

[white_gorilla_x]

Instead of the half logs, what would you suggest? Do you think a 20 gallon would be ok for one around 6 months? I think you can get the whole thing with a lid for around 100 with some extras. Drift would is also a good idea? Thanks!

[Shelby]

I'm guessing you want something that looks nice for a hide.. you can look at the pet store and try to find something with one entryway, that is otherwise completely enclosed. The half logs are too open to be very secure for a ball python. A lot of people use the plastic plant saucers that are made to go under potted plants to catch the water. You can easily cut or melt an entry hole either in the top or the side of these, and they're great hides.

A 20 gallon really is big for a young ball.. if you really really want to use it, you have to have lots of hides. Open spaces are scary for baby BPs, so multiple hides are a must if you want the snake to eat.

Drift wood is fine decoration. You may want to bake it for about 20 minutes in the oven to make sure and hitch hiking bugs on it are dead.

[mr~python]

if you're looking for a decorative hide exo-terra makes some pretty cool "reptile caves" http://exo-terra.com/EN/products/caves_i.html. they're usually available at a lot of reptile stores.

[sweety314]

Welcome to the site! You've come to the RIGHT place!

Take a gander @ the caresheet. But be careful, BPs are addictive.

The more the merrier! Glad to have you!


RuLyn

[frankykeno]

Welcome to the site Andy. I think it's great you are taking the time now before acquiring your new BP to find out all you can and get it's enclosure set up properly. Here's our caresheet for Ball Pythons for your viewing pelasure. Please feel free to ask any questions, we are all here to help you learn and enjoy your experience as a snake owner. Oh and when you actually do get it....we love pics! LOL

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

[Blu Mongoose]

Welcome to the site.

We'll all be waiting on pics of the new kid when you get him!!

[4theSNAKElady]

...why wait six months??? Once the baby has hatched out and has had a few good meals, I don't see the reason you have to wait six months. Heck, why don't you ask the breeder if he's got any yearlings he can sell ya now.

[white_gorilla_x]

I'm buying from a local breeder, he says they wont be hatching until middle of june, and i almost made a BIG MISTAKE! I went to the local petco with my girlfriend to look at aquariums and such, and i saw one that i kind of fell in love with, so i was holding it and she asked me, what are all those black dots on your hand? Mites! The "specialist" as he was so proud to point out said it was lice, then left for a minute and asked me to watch this pulled out and OPEN cage of snakes while he went out for a minute, he came back minutes later with a sheet from petco officials, which said something about a mite outbreak, something along the lines of someone not following "proper protocall", and all this crazy stuff, i instantly told him thanks, and we left, glad i got in touch with the local breeder, cant wait to show you pictures middle of next month, maybe as i get his habitat ready, i post those.

Also, what is the size and aggression difference between male and female? thanks