New Owner

[Beauty the BP]

Hello Everyone,

I just bought my first snake 2 days ago (a female ball python), and I think I found the right place to find out everything I can. I did a ton of research before even going to see the her for the first time, and so far so good. I don't know how many people from here are canadian but I bought her from a great pet store in downtown Hamilton called "The Reptile Store". The exp buying her was great, I impressed the owner with my knowledge and he upgraded me to a larger 20 Gallon terrarium. He said they were last years hatchlings butI forgot to ask exactly how old she is. She looks really healthy and is about 2 feet long. I'll post some pics when my digi cam recharges.

just a couple questions...

I am using a heating and am wondering if I should be unplugging that at night.

How much should I be handling her. She seems really comfy and is exploring her surroundings and likes her hiding spot but doesn't all her time there. I've really let her settle in, I've only had her out for about 5 min last night. When I do handle her she seems really curious and docile. She's awesome so far. I read in some books and stuff that they don't like excessive handling and am wondering how much is "excessive"

and finally, when should I feed her for the first time, I've heard that I should let her settle for a week or two. and then every 5-7 days after that.

any tips you guys have to help avoiding diseases and keeping her healthy would be much appreciated.

btw I also have a veiled chameleon that's almost fully grown and just about as big as my new baby, and he's about a year old.


Oh and I can't figure out a name!!!! I'm a guy and it's a girl but I'm having a hard time finding a girls name that suits her and that I like saying.

any suggestions???


thx

Alex

Well the general rule of thumb is no handling for atleast 7-10 days after you get your new snake. This is what is called their acclimation period. Here is a good link I use for whenever i get a new snake. http://www.vmsherp.com/LCAcclimation.htm

Thi link will over eveything from handling to feeding.

As for keepin your snake healthy, as long as you have correct husbandry there shouldnt be a probem.

Again for feeding the general rule of thumb is a prey item weekly ( or biwekly depending on the size of your snake) as thick as your snakes thickest part. ( mid belly)

There is a vry good FQA post here in theis forum about ball pythons that you will find at the top of the threads page.

I hope this helps you and that you have many wonderful years with your snake. As for names I would look nder baby names on yahoo or google. there are alot of different ideas for names on any of the different sites. Here are the names of my snakes as an example and if you like them you can use them if you wish.

female Ball1 Enya
Female ball2 Starshine
Male ball Beauty
small female juvi snow corn Candy
Small male Juvi amel cor Cane
Small male juvi okeetee corn Rampage
Adult Female snow corn Sandy
Adult male Snow corn Uri
Adult female Okeetee corn Maize
Male Brazilian Rainbow Boa Beavis
Female Brazilian Rainbow Boa Dutchess
Female RTB Rose (she is one thorny customer)

LIzards are
Female Green Basilisk Contessa
Male Green Basilisk Butthead
Male Arg Black and white Tegu Tony aka Godzilla

I too have a hard time naming so I now use those sites for baby names to help me. or sometimes I look at them and they just seem to tell me their names so to speak.

Hope this helps you,
Beauty the BP