Beginner questions

[Naf Eeknay]

Hi all! Just got my new (2 yr old) Ball Python. Still working on a permanent name for him so... Anyway, I was wondering what is the best way to transport the Ball when I am going across town to my Herp meeting? I brought him home in a cloth bag.
Secondly, I liked the idea of covering the screen on top in order to hold in heat and humidity better. I have a heating pad on one side that I applied on the side of the tank near the water dish to help create humidity and a heat lamp on the other. The side with the heat lamp stays about 78 - 84 degress while the heat pad side stays right around 80. If I cover the screen partially I think I might be able to get it up some. Any suggestions? The other thing is that my daughter has bad asthma so we keep the central air on alot during the summer time.
Thirdly, he is eating very well but the previous owner was feeding 6 mice every 21 days. Is this an appropriate spacing for feeding. On his last feed he ate very well downing 6 medium mice.
I know this post (my first!!) seems kind of rambling so any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Peace!

[Shaun J]

Welcome to the site.

Those temps are way too low. Get rid of your heat lamp and use the heat pad with one of these. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...39-TT300NLH-WH

Heat lamps can suck out all the humidity out of the tank. What kind of thermometer are you using?

Wait a week before feeding your snake. Do not handle your snake before he eats for you. Feed one mouse once a week.

[Shelby]

Welcome to BP.net!

Temperatures should be 92-94 on the warm side, and 82-84 on the cool side. Your temperatures are too cold for your snake right now. What kind of substrate are you using? Perhaps it is too thick and it's not allowing the heat from the pad to get to the tank. Do you have a thermostat on your heating pad? If not, you need to, they can overheat and burn your snake without something regulating the temperature.

Also.. what are you using to measure the temperatures? The analog dials are not accurate, a digital thermometer is the only way to go. You can get a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer/hygrometer inexpensively at any hardware store or at walmart/target.

Once a week feedings are the norm. Most people feed one prey item that is about as big around as the snake's belly is at it's widest girth.. or a bit smaller. Multiple prey items are fine, but a single one is a bit easier.

Here is our care sheet: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=52

[Naf Eeknay]

Thanks for the response. I have 2 digital thermometers on each end of the tank.. one on the water side and one on his "shelter" side. Neither of these are directly under his lamp. When the central air is off, the tank temperatures are great 82 on cool side and 90 on hot side. Tried closing some vents today to see what happens. So you suggest adding another heat pad under the tank?


Peace!

[Shaun J]

This is the digital thermometer

[Shaun J]

Thanks for the response. I have 2 digital thermometers on each end of the tank.. one on the water side and one on his "shelter" side. Neither of these are directly under his lamp. When the central air is off, the tank temperatures are great 82 on cool side and 90 on hot side. Tried closing some vents today to see what happens. So you suggest adding another heat pad under the tank?


Peace!

No, I was saying get rid of the lamp and use the heat pad alone. Do you have a hygrometer? If your snake only has one shelter, than he's going to get stressed. I would make another one for the other side so he doesn't have to decide between thermoregulating(SP?) and security.

[Naf Eeknay]

I am using reptibark for bottom of enclosure. I don't have a heater underneath the tank as the previous owner had his on the side as well for water humidity. Do you think I should add one to the bottom as well. The room he is in now is kind of on the cool side so I know it is going to be a challenge to get these temps up.

[Shelby]

As long as your humidity levels stay at or above 50%, there's nothing wrong with the heat lamp, and if your house is cold like you say, you may need to keep it.

If you have humidity trouble though, I'd recommend a second heat pad. Heating pads should be applied to the bottom of the tank, not the side since heat rises. Flexwatt heat tape is the best kind of under tank heat around. You can buy it by the foot, or in sections already wired. When you have a thermostat, make sure both heating pads are the same kind and size if you plug them both into the same t-stat.. you can't have two different kinds of heater on the same thermostat.

[Shaun J]

^I agree with everything said. Check out the Caging forums, I remember someone finding something to get the humidity up.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=33443

[Sputnik]

Welcome!


Some warmer conditions would be appropriate. Feeding appropriate sized food every 7 to 10 days for a 2 year old ball is fine. Just lay off the snack crickets and fish...lol... sorry!