RCReptiles.com

[sk8tr4lf1989]

I bought a ball python the other day and all I have to say is WOW it is an amazing snake. I have some question's though about it if someone could be some kind to answer or give pointer's about it. I will include Pics. First I have a basic cage with a lid a pretty good size aquarium 30" long and 12" high by width. I have wood chip bedding not the hamster stuff this is more hard. I have a heat rock and a heat lamp. A tree inside that he can craw into and craw around and a water fall. Both he loves to crawly around on. I saw him drinking from the water fall already so he seems to enjoy that. I still need to get a temp. gauge and a humidity gauge. What should they be around? Also do i feed it pinky's once a week? I have the heat lamp sitting onto of the metal screen should I use the clamps and clamp it to something so that it's not sitting on the metal screen lid? Only thing I'm worried about with the water fall is that he may not be able to soak himself in it. Should I put a smaller water dish in there for him to lay him? I don't want to take the water fall out because he seems to love to climb it. Pic's are below and suggestions or tips PLEASE feel free to offer I would appreciate it. Oh is there a way to tell the Sex or the age of a ball python?

[a_green]

First of all, heat rocks are a BIG NO-NO! Please take out the heat rock at once!

I'm not sure about the waterfall either to be honest--having any electrical stuff inside the tank is worrisome. At any rate, you DO need a water dish big enough for him to bathe in.

PLEASE see the Ball Python Caresheet in this forum, there is a lot of information on there that you need to know to take care of your snake! I.E. you need under-tank heating, ideally 2 hides, thermometers & hygrometer (please get these ASAP, you should have had these before you got your snake in there!) etc. You will find temp requirements in the care sheet.

Is your screen lid VERY securely locked? They are escape artists, especially with those kinds of lids.

What kind of wood chips have you got there?

I'm assuming you got your snake from a pet store? Ball pythons are one of the easiest to care for, but you need to educate yourself ASAP on their specific requirements. If the pet store gave you any advice about looking after your snake, for the sake of brevity, I would advise you to ignore it--with very few exceptions, stores just don't know enough about the pets they carry (i.e., if they told you a heat rock was okay, they were very wrong!!!). The information you will find on this forum is of the finest quality, especially make sure to check out Ron's blog as well!

As for sex/age that is something you would be told at the time of buying if you had got it from a breeder; if you don't know, age can only be guessed and sex can only be determined by a professional.

And (*big breath*) welcome!

[sk8tr4lf1989]

Ok, Thanks for advice. May I ask though why any electrical wires bother you? The heat pad does that go under the wood shavings or under the tank itself. I have it sitting on a wood desk. Can that ketch it on fire? Thanks

[sk8tr4lf1989]

Never Mind reading those articales answered everything! Thanks

[a_green]

Good.

And keep reading. Most questions you will have will probably be answered on the forums somewhere--the "Search" function is awesome! But you are always welcome to ask questions as much as you want here, I'm glad you came here in the first place to make sure you're doing everything right--we all want to see BPs happy and healthy.

Post more pix when you've got your setup revamped.

And don't forget a thermostat for your under-tank heating!! If you can't find everything in your local stores we might be able to recommend some good online sites. I've ordered a lot of stuff online (namely thermostats, I can't find a decent one at a store) and it's been a positive experience.

Does your baby have a name?

[SheilaR]

Yes as Green said please post more pics and i'm not sure if he stated it but get the digital thermometers, also you will need some foil tape to secure it down to the tank, also please make sure you get ride of the heat rock and get the hides asap they need it.

And welcome to the forum you will get great info on all topics and the community is the best

[deborahbroadus]

Welcome!!

I see you are in good hands, so I'll leave you to it. Green has an amazing set up, ask her about it. Most of the members here have great tank environments for their BPs because they have tweaked till they are getting whole sheds and their bps are eating more or less regularly, they should be able to guide you. And as they mentioned..the forum has a great search function and Ron's blog has more information.

It takes time, to get the tank set up correct, but it can be done.

Even with all these tools at your finger tips..don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have!