New BP owner needing a lot of help with temp and humidity and probably everything els

[ksbrneyes30]

I recently purchased 2 ball pythons. The 1st is approx 6-8 months old and approx 22-24" long, the 2nd i'm unsure of approx age, he was purchased from an individual, and is approx 39-40" long.

Originally I had the smaller of the two snakes in a 10 gallon tank and had no problem maintaining proper temperature and humidity. After I got the larger of the two, I purchased a 50 gallon tank. It's not the fish aquarium type, it is (so i was told) made for herps. I have a screen type locking cover. There is a head pad under one side of the tank, above that sitting on the cover is a 100 watt infared bulb with a metal reflector. Sitting on the floor on the heated side is a large cave (made of what seems to be glazed ceramic type material - i've noticed it absorbs a lot of heat). On the opposite end of the tank is a large water dish and a smaller cave of the same material. The substrate i'm currently using is newspaper (due to a mite issue). I bought a temp/humidity meter as per the advice of the breeder at the pet store.

Now that you have an idea of what type of set up I have, maybe someone can give me suggestions as to what i can correct. The problem is that the humidity in the tank is only about 30%. I'm told that 40-50% when not shedding is ideal. I'm also not having much luck getting the temperature above about 83 degrees on the warm side of the tank. At night the light is left on (also per suggestion of pet store) to help temperature from getting too cold. I'm getting down to about 70 at night with all the heat sources.

I've tried using aluminum foil to cover approx half of the tank on the side with the heat sources with a circle cut out for the heat lamp. When I had no luck with that, I covered more area - approx 3/4 of cover. Again ... No luck getting daytime temperature near 90. I then took advice from a boa owner and covered about 3/4 of the tank with a heavy blanket. I also put a small crock of water in the corner of the heated area to attempt raising the humidity. Guess what ... No luck yet again.

I'm obviously doing something wrong. I am following the advice of my vet as to how to properly "arrange" the tank for the desired temp ranges as well as the advice of the breeder of my youngest snake who sold him to me.

I'm getting frustrated because I'm not successful in providing my snakes with an environment in which they will thrive.

I believe the issues I'm having with temp and humidity are affecting the mood/temperment of the older of the snakes. He has been with me for 4 weeks now and has not eaten. The prior owner said it had been 2-3 weeks since his last feeding when he sold him to me. I am aware that they need proper temp to even digest properly ... could low temp be causing him to not eat and even become rather aggressive - regularly hisses at me when i reach in to handle the youngest snake, seems to always be in strike position and has even run nose first into the glass trying to strike me as i walk past.

Also, may be important info ... the youngest snake has developed sores (not too bad, just slightly unattractive) along the top of his back. Vet said that he believes humidity or lack there of is the reason.

Please, I would love to get any information that will help my snakes live a long, healthy and happy lives. Also, I really would appreciate photos of tanks similiar in size (50 gallon - i dont recall exact dimensions, approx 36"x18" maybe?) and glass with the screen type covers that are housing healthy ball pythons. I do want my tank to be pleasing to the eye as it sits in the back of my living room. And ... (sorry for more), if you wouldn't mind giving me specific brands of heat pads (i'm not convinced the one i have even gets as warm as it should), temp and humidity monitors, types of lights ... anything. I am afraid that my lack of ability to figure this one out may cause long term damage to these beautiful creatures.

I'm sorry for so much information (i'm sure some is irrelevent), I just want to paint as clear a picture as possible of what I currently have so to get methods to correct the problem.

Thanks

[Entropy]

While I'm not as good at the long winded helpful posts that some of the other members here will undoubtably help you with I have to comment. Are these two snakes together? I'm hoping the answer is no because along with the temp and humidity issues that would be a huge problem. If you utilize the 'search' feature at the top of the page you'll find a ton of threads on housing them together along with tempurature and humidity topics.

[ksbrneyes30]

I do have them housed together. I have been advised not to, but as crazy as it may sound, having the smaller snake (striker) in with the larger snake (venom - appropriately named for his nasty attitude) seems to keep the large one a little less agressive. I have had both snakes checked by a vet and they both received a clean bill of health. Also, I do make sure the cage is kept very clean. I replace the substrate and wash water bowl daily. If it comes down to it, and I have to seperate them, I still have the 10 gallon tank striker was originally in before we bought venom. I do not feed them together in the tank though. Well, I'm not feeding venom at all right now. I'm offering a rat every 5-7 days but after about an hour I pull it out and put it back in it's cage.

[Brimstone111888]

It keeps him less aggressive because he is being dominated by the other snake. It is only going to lead to problems.

Experienced herpers can pull off 2 snakes in a cage, but unless you are a Zoo or a Pet store there is no need to. New people ESPECIALLY should not do 2 snakes in a tank

[daniel1983]

What exactly are you using to measure the temperature and humidity? A messed up gauge can throw everything off, digital is best.

A quick fix for the humidity is creating a humid hide. Do a search on this site, there are tons of threads concerning them.

With the temperature, it sounds like the enclosure should be heated. What are the dimensions?

Like I said first, if your temps are bad....first thing I do is check what I am measuring temps with.

[JLC]

I'm sorry you bought that giant tank. 50 gallons is HUGE for a ball python....not to mention (as you've already discovered) very difficult to maintain a proper environment in for these snakes.

And it's likely that the giant size and openness of the tank stressed out Venom and that is what was causing the "aggression." It's not really aggression...it's fear. When he sees you, he sees a huge predator. In time, they begin to realize that you're not going to hurt them and can settle down. Also, they can get used to the larger environments. So, it's quite possible that his settling down simply coincided with you introducing the smaller snake into his enclosure.

I still think you should separate them.

Regardless of that, though...some tips to help maintain proper temps and humidity in a cage that size:

--Cover the screen with something like plastic or aluminum foil...leaving small openings at each end of the cover to allow for proper air flow.

--Try to set up some heating elements that don't require overhead lights, as those suck humidity out of the air faster than anything. If you MUST use an overhead light, be sure to leave an opening in your screen cover for that as well.

--Heating elements that don't require a light from above:
*Flexwatt controlled by thermostats....you may need multiple pieces and stats to control a tank that size.
*Radiant Heat Panels...these can be placed inside the tank and could be used to help keep ambient temps up to par while the flexwatt (or other Under Tank Heater) provides basking warmth.

--Use a wide water bowl. The more surface area of the water, the more evaporation you can get.

--Place the water over a heating element to help encourage evaporation.

--Use a substrate that holds moisture well without being soaking wet...such as cypress mulch or coconut husks.

[jdmls88]

I dont know where you live but here in maryland there is literally no humidity during winter so i keep a mist bottle next to the snake cages. Spray the cage every so often and that works. duct tape and foil the lid, and the ideal humidity is 50-60 not 40-50. Keep an eye on your bp's eyes they will dent if the humidity is to low or if they are dehydrated. good luck!

[littleindiangirl]

Also, you've only had this snake for 4 weeks. The stress of being in a huge tank, without proper humidity, heat and also with another snake will make him snippy.

All animals have the ability to defend themselves through the use of their teeth and claws. This animal isn't aggressivly attacking you, he is defensivly striking at you. He is not comfortable, due mostly to husbandry, but also because of the stress of having 2 BP's together.

I suggest ditching the tank, and buying some sterilite tubs. Even if you were to just "try" it. I hate to see someone say "I wont do it, because this guy said I can do it my way"

Gosh, I would personally go buy you sterilite tubs if that made a difference.

But, if you must use the 55 gallon tank, I suggest splitting it down the middle.
-Get proper measuring equipment.
-Cover three sides of the tank with some sort of insulator. (thermo insulation used for houses, reflective side against the glass, cut to size, cheap and works well)
-Put the heat source in the middle of the tank for belly heat connected to a good thermostat to control your temps.
-Cover the top of the screen with several layers of foil and aluminume tape to hold it down. (no tape inside the enclosure) Only have a hole the size of the lights for cool end.
-Get 2 red light heat bulbs and place on screen for extra heat on cool ends.

Judy gave great advice too.
Use some substrate to hold humidity (cypress mulch works well, bake it in oven first to get rid of bugs, 350 for an hour)
Use a large water dish to add to humidity
Mist if you need to.

I really hope you decide all this is not worth the trouble and just give in to some sterilite or other snake specific caging.

[JLC]

I just want to add one more comment. When you hear someone say "duct tape and foil"....please please realize that ALL tape must remain on the OUTside of the enclosure. Don't tape the INside of the screen! Snakes can get caught up in and seriously injured by tape...especially something as strong and thick as duct tape.