Just got a Ball Python!! Any Advice? *PICS* Pg. 2

[SvicksTc]

So i have always wanted a snake, and have been thinking about getting one for awhile. Being away at school my apartment does not allow any pets only exotic animals or fish so i figured it was time to get a pet snake.....

I have done a lot of reading on caring, habitat, feeding, etc but im new to the snake game and books can not tell you everything and if any of you have any advice i would greatly appreciate it....

My Setup as of Now is:

20 Gallon Tank Long/Critter Screen at top
Large Rock dish for water/bathing
Humidity Meter
2 Temp Gauges
Under Tank Heater
150watt Clamp Light
2 Log Hideaways (one small/one big on either side of the tank)
Aspen Substrate

[05OCsrt-4]

feed it somewhere else it a designated place other than its living quarters, if it gets used to eatting where it lives it might eventually try and bite/attack you, no lies

[SvicksTc]

i have heard that and have read that, but im feeding it frozen mice and was told it was ok to drop the mouse in from above where your hand is not associated with the food

[05OCsrt-4]

Originally Posted by SvicksTc

i have heard that and have read that, but im feeding it frozen mice and was told it was ok to drop the mouse in from above where your hand is not associated with the food

depends though, i'd rather play it safe, rather than pry a snake off of my arm

[SvicksTc]

also i have an screen top and cant seem to get the humidity up its around 35 degrees and although i just set the tank up i do not want the snake to dehydrate

[lownslow95]

Post up pics when you can.

[abrok99]

the only advice i could think of is dont get bite haha i hate snakes

[SvicksTc]

i try and get some pics up tonight

[~Brian~]

Is it a 20 gallon long or high?

Either way, a 150 watt bulb is kinda excessive. You should get at max a 100 watt SPOT bulb. Regular incandescent bulbs spread heat around the cage and you don't want that with a snake. They need a dedicated area in the tank to back and a special cool down area.

You can feed frozen, but its kinda boring at the same time. If you do, just make sure you thaw out the mouse first.

[Scapegoat]

i can has belt?

[SvicksTc]

Originally Posted by Snowboy459

Is it a 20 gallon long or high?

Either way, a 150 watt bulb is kinda excessive. You should get at max a 100 watt SPOT bulb. Regular incandescent bulbs spread heat around the cage and you don't want that with a snake. They need a dedicated area in the tank to back and a special cool down area.

You can feed frozen, but its kinda boring at the same time. If you do, just make sure you thaw out the mouse first.

Its 20 galllons long, i have a folder over one side of the cage to cover up the vents to make the humidity rise a little bit, thanks for the advice on the wattage of the bulb like i said im new to this and although i have done quite a bit of reading i know a lot of people out there have snakes or reptiles

I have the light and the under tank heater on the same side is this ok?


Here is a crappy cell phone pic

[den9]

i was expecting this to be 5 foot minimum

do those ones bite?

[mg23]

damn vick turning into the croc hunter? haha

[SvicksTc]

haha ya they bite but dont think it hurts that bad, ill let you know when it happens, im letting him settle in the first 2 days before i start taking him out to handle, i handled him in the store, and at first before placing him in the tank

[Eclipse GSX 61]

That is cool. I don't really like snakes enough to own one but cool nonetheless. Where did you get him?

[SvicksTc]

I got the snake at Petco, i went to like 3 surrounding petco's to look and i mean there is not much near Bloomsburg except Williamsport and Wilks-barre

[SvicksTc]

anyone know a good feeding rate? i heard 1 fuzzy a week, and other people say 1 every like 15 days?

[SovXietday]

One day I will get a snake, I love them. I used to take care of the snake we had at school.

As far as feeding, whatever you prefer really, somewhere inbetween 1-2 weeks is fine.

[SvicksTc]

ya thats what i was figuring i was going to do 1-2 weeks

[Proven]

I had the same exact type of snake. You def. want to let him chill a few days before handling him. Let him get used to being there and know nothing there will hurt him. I couldn’t wait and got bit.. It hurts, and not to mention I pulled away which made it worse (made like a slice instead of just holes). If he does get ya and wont let go rubbing alcohol or hard liquor should get him off (poor it on his nose).

After the "break in period" handle him as much as possible especially if you know others will want to hold him. Drop the mouse/pinky/fuzzy in the tank don’t let him notice your hand go in. and when he is bigger make sure you wash your hands after holding the mouse before handling him cause your fingers will look and smell like food.

I gave mine to a friend cause I started to get up set watching t he mice die (haha yeah I got weird).. My buddy never locked the top of the tank and he got out to never be found. Make sure you lock that ish.

What’s his name anyway?