New snake - slideshow!

[Kathleen]

I just got my first ball python a few days ago, after months of wanting one and doing all the necessary research. Here's a slideshow showing my baby and its home (click the picture).



I don't know its sex yet (I plan on taking it to the vet after the holiday to get it checked out and probed). I'll probably name it once I know if it's male or female and I need name suggestions.

It just ate for me today and considering I only bought it on Sunday, I'm pretty happy. I tried offering it frozen/thawed (I found blow drying a dead mouse to be incredibly amusing) but it didn't show much interest. I then offered it live - with very close supervision - and it did wonderfully. It now has a nice lump.

[python.princess]

welcome to the wonderful world of balls! cool slide show

[SoundUnsleep]

Congrats on the baby! He/she looks adoreable.

[Brimstone111888]

Great looking snake, but from the pictures it looks like your set up is seriously lacking, for many of the same reasons in this thread http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56280.

Please get 2 identical hide. Half cut wood logs are not suitable, for BP's. Also the skull looks like it does little to nothing for snake security, albeit looking cool. BP's like things that are cave or burrow like, so small, dark and only one entrance. You can make hides out of plastic bowls by cutting a door and turning it upside down. If you want something more natural try these by Exo Terra. I use them for my snakes, medium sized.

Photo courtesy of Rabernet




I'm kind of curious on the 2 heat lamps I see on there. Both heat or is one light? If one is light you can toss it, BP's don't need a light source and heat is best supplied through belly heat or and UTH( Under Tank Heater)

I see you have an analog guage. Those are inaccurate and don't tell you all the information you need. You want to know what the snakes temp is generally which would be at ground level, so I would get an Accurite from Walmart. They cost $12 and they are in the indoor/outdoor temp section. It has a prob so you can measure belly heat, the unit reads ambient temp, and it also read humidty which is especially important for sheds.

Finally the substrate looks like it could cause you some problems. It looks like just dirt, correct? Now if I am wrong someone say it, but I think dirt, like sand, is small enough to get into heat pits and scales and it will overall be negative on the snake. I would suggest aspen. It cheap ad can be thrown away easily, plus my snakes like pushing it around.

[leoares27]

Mulch is much better than aspen for balls...it holds moisture a lot better! and they need a lot of humidity when they are going to shed! Our balls have the half logs and bowls with one entrance and they like both of them...the skull is cool, but if it is the only other hide, you might want to think of putting something else in there just to be safe...
AND...Please try the f/t mouse again next time...the bigger he/she gets, the bigger the mouse/rat gets and the more damage it can do...and the harder it will be to swich over...we have to make ours dance around a lot for them to take it...they are a pain lol...but they do eventually take it. Sometimes we have to "reheat" in hot water and try again...but if they are hungry, they will most likely take it!

Good luck...and you can take this with a grain of salt...just throwing in my 2c...

[Kathleen]

Thank-you to those who commented on the pictures.

I appreciate that you guys took the time to offer feedback. I'm a new owner and I guess you could say I'm learning and that my set-up is a "work in progress." The substrate isn't dirt; it's a soft, eco-friendly, mulch-like material. And the skull was meant as a decoration although my python really enjoys curling up inside it (it offers more shade/cover than you might think). I have two lamp fixtures but only one has a (basking) bulb in it. I'm going to look into buying a UTH now that I've learned more about them... and another hide to ensure my snake's comfort.

As for the F/T vs. live... I've done a lot of research about this. I plan on trying to feed F/T again but if my python won't take it, I'll offer live while carefully supervising. I know the dangers of feeding live (and the dangers of feeding F/T, for that matter), so I'm careful and thoughtful about it.

I've gotten a lot of information from various sources: pet store clerks, the Internet, magazines, books, and here now. Everybody has their own opinion on what's right for housing (I've had some snake owners tell me my set-up looks great and others saying it lacks here and there), feeding, and everything else. It's tough to find out what's really right for the snake after all.

But it's all good, as I'm taking mine to the vet soon and I'll get even more information from there. Hopefully I'll be able to be a good python mom!

Thanks again for all the comments.

[SoundUnsleep]

There isn't a doubt on my mind that you are going to be an excellent BP mom!

The extra light source is indeed a great idea, if your tank isn't sitting right next to a natural light source (window). Just make sure to have the light on a timer to allow for adequate night/day time. If you aren't already using one, check into UV lights (they are way more beneficial for your baby's health than fluorescent or incandescent).

Some of us don't like using the half-cut wood log hides, because once your baby craps on them they will become infested with all sorts of "goodies" that you don't want to expose your baby to.

There is no reason whatsoever to have two identical (?!) hides. Your BP doesn't choose a hide by its looks, but rather by its temperature. It will, however, prefer the one in which it feels safer (which would be a hide with a single small opening). Offer two hides with small openings (one on the cooler, one on the warmer side) and your baby will think of its tank as heaven on earth.

In order for a BP to shed quick and easily, items with a rough surface and adequate weight (to make sure they stay in place) should always be provided. Plastic containers with a smooth surface make shedding a time consuming and exhausting task for a BP! I use skulls as decoration and hang-out for several of my baby BP's as well. The only drawback: Cleaning them is a tidious task.

Eco-Earth is suggested by many breeders and keepers, because it holds moisture just as well as coconut-fiber. I personally don't like using it, because those little pieces of dirt that adhere to the snake's skin can be easily mistaken for mites. At the same time, if you do have mites it would be very difficult to tell (unless you see them moving - YIKES!).

Best of luck!

[Kathleen]

Ah, the stuff I use is eco-friendly coconut fiber. It came in a brick and I had to soak it for it to expand. I don't remember the exact brand/type because I threw the wrapper away but I was told it was a great substrate for all reptiles.

My light is on a timer. *nods* It goes on about 8:30 AM and shuts off around 8:30 PM. I broke my blinds a while ago and they have to stay shut, so there's not enough ambient light in there for it.

I'm definitely going to get another hide now. I'll see how the log and skull work out, cleanliness-wise. I don't mind having to clean up after my snake... I enjoy just about every aspect of its care-taking, plus I'm a little bit of a perfectionist. I like to clean.

Thanks for the encouraging and helpful post, Sound!

[Kathleen]

Well, I pimped my python's crib. Did I improve?











I upgraded from a regular 10 gallon to a 20 gallon long, and I sprang for a UTH (I still need to get a good thermometer and plan to do so first thing tomorrow). Notably, I now have proper hides on both sides of the tank. Functional and aesthetically pleasing. Ftw!

My baby's exploring a lot right now. S/he keeps looking at me as if to say, "Damn, ma, you done good!" S/he really likes the new tree hide on the warm side of the cage.

[SoundUnsleep]

Nice!!!
I'm sure s/he loves it! Now s/he's got a "2-bedroom apartment" and plenty of "leg room" for a long time to come.
"I don't mind having to clean up after my snake... I enjoy just about every aspect of its care-taking, plus I'm a little bit of a perfectionist." - Yupp, sounds like a ball python addict!
The best to you and the baby!