New to BP's, few questions

[mtxsub7]

Hello All.

I was originally considering getting a lizard or a gecko, but when I was browsing online and went to my pet store I saw BP's and literally fell in love, so I am deff. Going to get one. I have been researching lizards for awhile so I am kind of thrown off by this diffrent type of pet.


I do have a 29 gallon already sort of setup, but I am guessing some stuff is going to need changing.


As far as I know, They get big, but that isn't a problem I have a huge tank downstairs I can use. Also I guess the substrate needs to be easy for them to glide along in because some things can annoy/hurt there undersides so my substrate ATM might not work, I have the carpet type thing...



Here's some pics, I have a light with 75w UVA bulb, and also a night bulb thats blue, not sure if it's going to matter. Also have a thermometer, and i'll need a bowl for them to soak in, I can get that.


Any tips, Info or things I am forgetting?



My main questions are..
1. What type of substrate would YOU recommend?
2. Whats a good day/night temp? Also should I mist the tank at all?
3. Feeding is diffrent, once every 10 days? I'm guessing you don't feed these things crickets, so I'd need frozen mice correct? If so how often would you feed a juvenile BP?



heres a few pics of my current setup
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...txsub7/3-1.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...txsub7/2-1.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff196/mtxsub7/1.jpg






I didn't mean to post twice but I think I posted in the wrong section so yeah sorry if thats a problem, I couldnt figure out how to delete that thread

[ChrisBowsman]

Check out the BP care sheet. It covers pretty much everything you asked. Here's a few answers, though....

You need a hot side (90-94) and a cool side (80-84), provided by under tank heaters. The ambient temperature should be around 80, with the humidity 50-60%, bumped to about 70% during shedding. I just spent a few months fighting a tank trying to get temps and humidity correct, and am now using a Sterilite tub, and the tub is SOOOO much easier to maintain.

I use newspaper for substrate, but there are a bunch of different things that work. You also need two identical hides for the snake, one at the hot and cool end. BPs actually don't like big tanks, as they need to feel secure.

You can feed f/t (frozen thawed) or live, pretty much whichever you prefer.

[tigerlily]

I'm not a huge fan of heat lamps. My biggest suggestion would be to ditch that and get a under the tank heat mat. You can go online and get a product called flexwatt relatively inexpensively, as opposed to the more expensive versions in my pet stores. You'll also want to get a thermostat to control this heat mat. I really like the Herpstats and Helix's, but you can go with a bit less expensive Ranco as well. These are NOT cheap, and are really worth every cent though.

You'll want to get your heat up and running, and work out a warm end temp at 92 degrees and a cooler end at around 82. This will take some tweaking and such, and should be double checked with a digital thermometer. You can find some good ones that will measure humidity too, in the most larger stores in the indoor/outdoor thermometer section. I use the Accurite and it measures 2 locations plus the humidity.

Take a look at our caresheet, and browse around the stickies in the bp husbandry and bp general forums. http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

Ah and I don't want to miss your specific questions.....

Substrate... I use plain old unprinted paper myself, but have had success with newspaper and aspen.

As for temps.... I keep at a constant 92 warm and 82 cool, for most of my collection. Breeding is the only thing that changes that.

Misting... Misting is only necessary if you can not keep your humidity around 50-60%. If you are having significat trouble, you can try covering up your screen lid a bit with some aluminum foil or plastic wrap. (all on the outside of the cage of course)

Feeding... I feed once a week, but juvi's can be fed every 5 days as well. I would ask what the animal is currently being fed and try and continue with that.

First and foremost, you need to setup the cage in the right temp and humidity ranges. For an animal that relies on it's environment for it's body warmth and regulating bodily functions this is crucial!!!

[starmom]

Don't know how old the BP is, but I think you might want to go with rats. The suggestion of reading the care sheets is your best bet.
I use indented kraft paper from ULine to line my tubs and reptile cages.
BP's don't need additional lighting unless you want it for them- make sure it is external to the cage.
Steady temps and humidity are most important for the health of the snake, so the suggestion of an UTH and a t'stat to control it is a good one. Temp gun is essential.
Balls don't get very large and are pretty private little guys (that's why they can get stressed in large environments...) Cover 3 sides of your tank with dark paper to help with their security!
It is really good that you are doing your homework now, before you purchase the snake. This site is a great one for information. Also, Kevin McCurley has a good Ball book (you can order through the NERD site) and the Barkers (VPI) have an excellent one as well.

Hello All.

I was originally considering getting a lizard or a gecko, but when I was browsing online and went to my pet store I saw BP's and literally fell in love, so I am deff. Going to get one. I have been researching lizards for awhile so I am kind of thrown off by this diffrent type of pet.


I do have a 29 gallon already sort of setup, but I am guessing some stuff is going to need changing.


As far as I know, They get big, but that isn't a problem I have a huge tank downstairs I can use. Also I guess the substrate needs to be easy for them to glide along in because some things can annoy/hurt there undersides so my substrate ATM might not work, I have the carpet type thing...



Here's some pics, I have a light with 75w UVA bulb, and also a night bulb thats blue, not sure if it's going to matter. Also have a thermometer, and i'll need a bowl for them to soak in, I can get that.


Any tips, Info or things I am forgetting?



My main questions are..
1. What type of substrate would YOU recommend?
2. Whats a good day/night temp? Also should I mist the tank at all?
3. Feeding is diffrent, once every 10 days? I'm guessing you don't feed these things crickets, so I'd need frozen mice correct? If so how often would you feed a juvenile BP?



heres a few pics of my current setup
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...txsub7/3-1.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...txsub7/2-1.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff196/mtxsub7/1.jpg






I didn't mean to post twice but I think I posted in the wrong section so yeah sorry if thats a problem, I couldnt figure out how to delete that thread