Another day, another forum

[Riktasi]

Hi, I'm new here, and pretty new to the world of pet snakes. I recently bought a ball python from the petstore I work at (awesome discount: $35 for the cute snake). I decided on getting it after the idea finally sank in; I had considered getting one for quite a while before. Well, needless to say, I'm happy and excited that I got him/her.

Now, about the python:
I've named it Regis - I might change it to Regi if female. (I'm horrible at name originality)
It's about 18 or so inches long right now. It has shed a few times while in the petstore, and I think it might shedding soon. I try to keep the humidity in its tank as close to 60%+, but it seems to drop very easily with the daylight lamp I use. I have a clear deep water dish that holds about half a gallon on the side with the heating pad, and I mist occasionally. The python seems to be doing fine - he's alert, and he happily ate a mouse the day after I brought it home.

I guess the only problem I have is shedding and humidity. When it was in the petstore, it had shed most of its skin, but a lot was left around the neck area. I've oiled him and soaked him in water, so all the dry skin is gone now, but he seems to be going into another shed cycle. His skin is getting duller, and I notice his belly is getting that rosey color. I've added another deep water dish after noticing it - this one is black and closer to the lighted area. I've also been spraying this shedding aid (it's some sort of milky mixture of water, organic oil, and vitamins) on the snake.

So...yeah, sorry for the long intro.

[dr del]

Welcome to the site Riktasi,





There are a few good guides that might help you with the humidity/shedding things;

The shedding process clicky 1

Humidity article clicky 2

Bad shed? -no problem clicky 3

Glass tank set up clicky 4

Ball python caresheet clicky 5

BP husbandry FAQ's clicky 6



Oh and before I forget - we are addicted to pictures so feel free to post some of your snake,tank or anything you think is appropriate to the discussion.


dr del

[Nate]

Welcome

I believe SarahMB, another bp.net member, is from Plano, TX as well. It's always nice to have fellow herpers close by

[frankykeno]

More than likely your issues with humidity are related to a glass tank and the overhead lighting. Glass tanks are hard to hold proper humidity in and the lights just keep drying everything out. Hopefully some of the links provided will help you deal with this. Welcome to BPNet and congrats on your first ball python!

[Laooda]

Howdy Texas! Sounds like you have the snake-love bug! Read the links dr del posted, and holler if you have questions...


And Welcome!!!

[Riktasi]

Thanks for the quick replies.
Here's the housing: http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/5194/p1010245th2.jpg
It's a 10 gallon glass aquarium.
Substrate is a terranium lining that's supposedly been treated with enzymes.
Clear water container is half gallon, black one is a little less.
Heat lamp is a 60 watt ExoTerra daylight lamp.
Heating pad is an ExoTerra 8"x8" 4 watt rainforest type.

And here's a video of Regis catching his first mouse, since bringing him home (you might have to turn up the brightness... it looked fine on my laptop's LCD):
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zrjxvawcKyY

[JLC]

Welcome aboard!

Always great to meet another Texan, whether native or transplanted.