Need quick answers to a few questions.

[Racquet]

Hi everybody,

I got my first ball python off of Craigs List today, I hadn't planned on getting a snake until summer but this guy just kind of fell into my lap.

My problem right now is that since this happened so fast all of the equipment I bought for him is currently still being shipped so I'm using what I was given by his old owners.

He had a ZooMed UTH and that sucker is HOT! It was reading 105 degrees when I first had it in there. I got it down to 95 by wrapping it in a pair of old jeans, but the caresheet says it's supposed to be between 88-94, but is 95 okay until the new stuff gets here? (I just checked the temps again and the hot side is now up to 96. The censor is on the bottom of the tub and there's about 2 to 3 inches of Aspen on top of that, does the temp drop between the bottom and the top of that much bedding?)

Also, on the cool side I put the lamp that he came with on it and it shot up to like 88 degrees so I put the bulb in a lamp that I attached to the side of the stand that the tub is on and it dropped to 78 degrees. I'm not sure what I should do about that?

I'm leaving for work in about 20 minutes and wont be back until 10pm, so I'm trying to figure out what to do before I have to leave/

Thanks,
Lauren

[Racquet]

Here's a few pictures of Marx



The hides are different, but I have already ordered identical hides.

Also, I put the moss in and wet it, but the humidity is still sticking around 44/45 degrees...

[blackcrystal22]

I have those tubs! They fit perfectly in my rack system.

That's a good sized tub to keep him in if your not looking for a tank. If you are, try not to get a 20g but a 10g.

Aspen is good. Make sure the two identical hides your getting are tight.

Looks pretty basic and nice!

For the heating issue, you do want to try to lower that. Wrapping jeans around it is a fire hazard, so let's remove those. Run to your nearest hardware store and get a light dimmer for 10cents. You can use that to control the heat but it will take some playing around with.
After that, order yourself a good thermostat to permanently regulate the temperature on the UTH.

Good luck, and welcome to the hobby and site!

[blackcrystal22]

Also, I put the moss in and wet it, but the humidity is still sticking around 44/45 degrees...

Percent you mean right?
You'll find, once he settles, the humidity will jump in a tub. You'll probably end up worrying about how to lower it than raise it.
The moss will probably not be needed soon, but is a good idea for now. Make sure to throw it away after a little while or if he defecates on it to avoid mold and bacteria growth.
My method of upping humidity, is spraying a mister (got mine at petsmart for 3 bucks) with hot water in it. When it hits the air it becomes warm (you can always do a feel check first) and I have had a lot of success with him.

Also, one more thing I forgot to mention. Don't feed him or handle him for about a week. It's important to let him settle, and if you change enclosures, you should add another week to that to avoid stress.

[Racquet]

Thanks for the reply!
I didn't get a chance to get to a hardware store and they're all closed by the time I get out of work, but I did unwrap it and manage to get the temp down (84 degrees) by just moving the tub higher away from the UTH. Not ideal but it'll have to work for now. I ordered a thermostat and a better UTH as soon as I found out I was getting the snake and what exactly I was looking for. It should be here by Wednesday at the latest.

He actually came with a 50 gallon tank but at least for the foreseeable future he'll be staying in the tub.

Thanks for the info on humidity, I did mean percent!

I did have a bit of a primer from SekaiNDobes on here, I'm on another forum with her and she is the one who actually talked me into getting Marx. She walked me through ordering/finding all of the things I needed as well as letting me know about the no feeding/handling for the first week or so.

[Holbeird]

Great looking snake you have there, be careful, they're addictive.

[dsirkle]

Your first priority needs to be to get something to control that temperature right away. Whether it be even a lamp dimmer or rheostat marketed for that purpose you need something now. If you can afford to do so right away get a good thermostat. Many will tell you that you should buy a proportional thermostat which is more expensive, with namebrands of Helix or Herpstat, But a good on/off thermostat would be fine and would cost less with brand names such as Ranco or Johnson Controls. Rancos are often available used and prewired on ebay (search temperature controls or thermostats) less than elsewhere. At www.reptilebasics.com you can see pictures and prices of these types. Zoo Med brand and other less reliable thermostats are available in pet stores for barely less money than a Ranco and the Ranco is much better. There are many people on this site that would be glad to answer any questions that you have about caring for your new snake. Care sheets are also on this site with good information. But the first thing that you need is control of the temperature! I posted this before I read post #5. That will teach me!