New & some questions

[MikeG]

Hey everyone, First post! YAY!!
I’ve been reading threw the forum for about a week and a half now and its answered almost all my questions I had about bp's. I’ve never owned a snake before but about two weeks ago I started looking into it and after
finding this forum I’m pretty sure I’m hooked on getting a bp. I’ve been
looking at different tub set-ups and I’m sure that’s the way I’m going to
go.

I have a few questions though. I live in central Illinois and during
the winter it usually can get around to around 60*F in my apartment
when I’m off at class or working and I was wondering if that will be a
big prob keeping temps up? I'm going to 4" flexwatt (I saw somewhere to
put it roughly 1/3 covering the bottom?) with a thermostat. Im still not sure on the size of the tub.. I am wanting to try to find a young pastel
but not sure of the size of tub (28...32qt?) I was looking at the
Sterilite 1886, but it seems soo small lol.
Another prob. I’m hoping I won’t have is keeping the humidity up..

One other question I have is how long is it safe to keep a bp out of
it’s tub? I’ve read threw a few threads
on here talking about how much to hold one and it seems like there is
way to big of difference between peoples opinions. Some were saying 10min. every few days and some said 30+min daily.

Sorry for all of the questions at once lol. This forum has been such a
big help!


Thanks,
Mike~

[shadi11]

well if you have decided to go with a tub set up humidity should be easily controlled by ventilation aka how many holes you put in the tub. That can also control how well the tub holds heat the more holes you put in a tub the more air circulation you get. So i would suggest setting up your tub before you get your snake you can set a tub up easily in about a week. I suggest getting an accurite thermometer/ hygrometer. Before you do decide on a tub size you should however decide if you want a hatchling or a subadult or even an adult. Your snake will need a different size tub depending on there age. Balls like a tight space as a hatchling so if you are buying a hatchling and putting it in a cb70 it can stress due to to much space. but with the cost of tubs you can also get several tubs for different times of year. being in the midwest the humidity gets low naturally in the winter. So you could have a winter tub with less holes in it and a summer tub with more holes so you can adjust your humidity as well as keeping heat in in the winter and allowing more air flow to keep the temps down in the summer when its 95 outside. On the holding your snake after it is settled in handling is kind of an individual thing some snakes don't respond as well to handling as any other animal. but We handle some of ours daily some of our weekly. And if my I had my way I would handle some of them hourly. But its up to the snake. If it starts to stress you need to put it up.

[llovelace]

As stated above in regards to handling, it depends on the snake I've got 2 that I can keep out for long periods of time, they are older though. The young ones maybe 10-20 minutes at a time.

[Jamik]

Just wanted to say good luck on finding your new snake and getting set up.

From a "neighbor" in Charleston, Illinois.

[frankykeno]

I'd suggest you decide a few things now. Are you interested in getting a hatchling or a yearling or a fully matured snake? That's the first thing so you know what size enclosure you need upfront. The younger ones will start in a small enclosure and move up but if you go with tubs that isn't terribly expensive to deal with. Next I'd suggest you get all that enclosure stuff, set it up and fiddle with it for at least a week or so. If you can get that enclosure dialed in now without a snake in there it will make life easier for you and for your new snake. Lastly, think now about where you want to purchase this snake from. Your local pet store, while convenient, is not normally the best place to buy a snake. Think about attending a good reptile show or purchasing from a reputable breeder. For a new snake owner, that's usually the best way to go.

[MikeG]

well if you have decided to go with a tub set up humidity should be easily controlled by ventilation aka how many holes you put in the tub. That can also control how well the tub holds heat the more holes you put in a tub the more air circulation you get. So i would suggest setting up your tub before you get your snake you can set a tub up easily in about a week. I suggest getting an accurite thermometer/ hygrometer. Before you do decide on a tub size you should however decide if you want a hatchling or a subadult or even an adult. Your snake will need a different size tub depending on there age. Balls like a tight space as a hatchling so if you are buying a hatchling and putting it in a cb70 it can stress due to to much space. but with the cost of tubs you can also get several tubs for different times of year. being in the midwest the humidity gets low naturally in the winter. So you could have a winter tub with less holes in it and a summer tub with more holes so you can adjust your humidity as well as keeping heat in in the winter and allowing more air flow to keep the temps down in the summer when its 95 outside. On the holding your snake after it is settled in handling is kind of an individual thing some snakes don't respond as well to handling as any other animal. but We handle some of ours daily some of our weekly. And if my I had my way I would handle some of them hourly. But its up to the snake. If it starts to stress you need to put it up.

I'm not sure yet on what size, but i would like a small bp, around hatchling/subadult. I don't really want to buy one from around here because there arnt really any pet stores close and have been reading bad things about them. Also i don't know of any close breeders so im sure im going to be buying one online. It seems like most websites ive checked out that have pastels are usually 3-4 months old (subadult?).
Great idea about different tubs for winter/summer times!

Lastly, think now about where you want to purchase this snake from. Your local pet store, while convenient, is not normally the best place to buy a snake. Think about attending a good reptile show or purchasing from a reputable breeder. For a new snake owner, that's usually the best way to go.

I wish there was gonna be a show around here, but i highly doubt it, i live in a pretty small town with a lot of the alike around.
It would be nice to be able to see different types of snakes and setups in person.



Thanks everybody for all the replys, its really appreciated!
Mike~

[Jamik]

Hey again!

The next reptile show closest to us is the Indy Reptile expo on March 1st. Not a huge show, but a pretty nice one. Check it out...

http://www.midwestreptile.com/welcome.html

[nixer]

im roughly 4 hours from you. my cousins husband is from t-town area.
there is a show in st. louis, mo, there was one(dont know if there still is) in peoria, ill, there is one in indy, IN, there is one in wheaton, ill. there is a few breeders around.

[MikeG]

im roughly 4 hours from you. my cousins husband is from t-town area.
there is a show in st. louis, mo, there was one(dont know if there still is) in peoria, ill, there is one in indy, IN, there is one in wheaton, ill. there is a few breeders around.

Wow, didnt know there were that many around here, would you happen to know where any of them are that are currently going on?

Hey again!

The next reptile show closest to us is the Indy Reptile expo on March 1st. Not a huge show, but a pretty nice one. Check it out...

http://www.midwestreptile.com/welcome.html

DANG! I have to work that day : ( I am deffenetly taking work off for the April show! Thanks for that link (again) !




Thanks a lot,
Mike~

[nixer]

Wow, didnt know there were that many around here, would you happen to know where any of them are that are currently going on?

http://kingsnake.com/events.html this is probally one of the biggest lists of shows