Quote Originally Posted by GirDance
1. When handling a new arrival, is it best to wait till they come out of their hide on their own while you're around... Or to just take them out of the hide? Wait about 48 hours before attempting to handle at all a good time frame?
Other than a quick look over when you get them (and a few pics of course LOL) it's best to leave a new snake to settle in for about a week, then offer it's first feeding. Personally I don't even worry about handling until they've eaten at least 4 times (so about a month), then start with short, quiet handlings sessions. You can remove them from their hide. Just give them a moment to realize you are there or to wake up. Sometimes they will startle, but that's expected of new or young snakes (some always do it to some degree or other).

2. 5% bleach solution to disinfect enclosure then rinse well, but can things like Lysol Disinfectant Wipes be used as well then thorough rinsing? Asking out of general interest as even the 5% bleach mixture leaves my nose burning, but I don't want to use anything that isn't going to be healthy for my girl.
Actually it's a 10% bleach solution to properly disinfect but it must of course be followed with repeated clear water rinses. Then just wipe out with a dry paper towel and your good.

3. Is windex okay on the glass surface? Rinsing would defeat the purpose, I have a custom set up with glass on only one side, but again... ??
Personally I'd just use vinegar and water for glass cleaning and make sure it's well wiped/rinse so there is no residue. I don't care for cleaning products around the snakes.

4. Substrate that is *best* for lowering humidity, or should I just start with paper towel to ensure no mites etc? (Present ambient humidity in my house is 60.1 - when I tested the set up with exact settings and no substrate at all for two days it was hovering around 60.4)
I'd go with plain white paper towels. I think it's Viva brand that makes an extremely soft, almost clothlike white towelling. It's very nice. Then you could try a nice fine shred aspen later on (check at WalMart...way better than pricey pet store beddings). Never use anything with pine or cedar in it.

5. I have to use bottled water because the water here is *extremely* hard (If you leave a glass of water out for a day and a half, there is a nice thick layer of calcium and lime deposit on any part of the glass that's evaporated - even I try not to drink it) is there anything specific to look for or avoid with bottled water? Does water have to be at room temp before putting in (as with fish), or if we decide to go with a water cooler can I get away with making sure it's just not freezing?
Just plain old jug of water thing. Nothing fancy, and not distilled water. As long as the water's not freezing it's fine. It'll warm up quick enough anyways once inside the snake's enclosure. Remember a water dish needs to be heavy so it won't be tipped but not big enough for your ball python to soak in.

6. Does anyone know where an Acurite can be found in Canada? I've been looking everywhere to no avail and settled to test the temp using 1 regular combo digi therm/hum and a combination of three different precision analogue (two zoo med and a generic one) and two analogue zoo med humidity monitors... I put them all in the same spot and recording the readings on all three every 2 hours for 2 days (and yes, over night as well, horray for being a night hawk!)... Figured if I used the three and they all stayed within 2 degrees of one another it would be fairly accurate till I could find a good one..
Here's a pic of a similar product sold in Canada. Either google the company who makes them for a list of suppliers or even check ebay or that sort of thing go find one. Likely Canadian Tire or Zellers might have them.



7. My house typically stays between 70 and 80, but occasionally does go up to 90. What is the best cooling method for a custom enclosure with a 3'x3" screen at the back? Put a small fan on the one side or is there something more reliable? (I already bought a thermostat for the UTH, however found that it worked best if I attached it to a timer that only turned on at night for about 4 1/2 hours when the house drops to 65 and only on intermittently during the day).
Your tstat on the enclosure will adjust and help keep your temps correct. If you use a fan make sure it is moving air but not blowing directly at the snake. Drafts and snakes don't mix well.