Greetings all!!!

[nca1979]

Hello all! New user to the site here.....also, will be the new owner of my first ball python within the next week, being a life long reptile lover, its safe to say I'm more than psyched to be FINALLY doing this!!

I've been trying to nail down the temperatures/humidity of my terrarium for a few days to ensure adequate housing. I've read a ton of info here and on other sites.

Anyone out there whose had a glass terrarium with screened top have any good tips for temps/humidity?

Thanks all

Nate from Massachusetts

[Laooda]

Hello and Welcome!!! It's law round-here that you post pictures of your new baby when you get it!

This might help you out if your using a 10 gal?

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=55849

Edit... just realized he's using a full lid...

[DSGB]

welcome. enjoy your stay.

[Spaniard]

Either plexi glass or aluminum foil and tape, leaving the corners open for air circulation.

[Street Killer]

congrats and welcome. glad to see you're going about things the right way by doing research first. i can also say that plexiglass over the top helps with humidity.

[frankykeno]

Welcome to BPNet, Nate, glad you've joined us.

I'd say the biggest struggles people seem to have with glass enclosures is threefold....

1) choosing an overly large tank size - ball pythons are naturally shy, even more so as small hatchlings, big open glass tanks can not only be hard to stabilize temp and humidity wise but they can leave the snake feeling vulnerable and stressed, sometimes this manifests as refusal to eat or to thermoregulate properly (i.e. move from warm to cool side hides, etc.)

2) using an overhead heating source - overhead lights will suck out the precious humidity which you will be most likely struggling with when you have a glass tank/mesh lid type enclosure, they are also not they best method of heating for this snake species, underbelly heat is preferred.

3) mesh lid - a bit of a hassle when it comes to holding in heat and humidity. Ball pythons need a warm side of about 90 - 92 degrees, a cool side of about 80 - 82 degrees and humidity around 50% - 24/7, 365 days of the year. This is possible to achieve with a glass tank/mesh lid setup but it can be a challenge. You need to cover a good portion of that lid with something like plexiglass or even a layer of saran wrap/tin foil type thing. Make sure to leave open areas for good ventilation of course. Also with these lids they often don't come with good locks. If yours doesn't, all major pet stores carry metal lid locks - usually 2 or 4 per package, rated by tank size.

[nca1979]

thanks a lot for all the info everyone...

i'll post a pic as soon as i get her, which could be tonight (fingers crossed!!!)

cheers

[tjteach14]

Welcome...

I have been fighting with my glass tanks for some time and will soon switch to tubs. However, here are some the the things that did work to help with the heat and humidity...

Living in the North East and housing my snakes in a room where the temps are not constant I had to insulate 3 out of 4 sides of my tank with a foam camping mat. Work beautifully. As for the humidity, I did the aluminum foil and it worked for a bit with plenty of regular misting. I suggest going with the plexi-glass from the start as this should save you some time and fuss.

Good Luck. I'm sure you will soon be catching the bp bug!