its a disease!

louise · #1 (**permalink**) 05-13-2004, 08:27 PM

well i went to the pet shop today and just hatched ball pythons were there

i had to hold one of course. when i started getting that 'i have to bring it home feeling' i high tailed it out of there. half way home i turned around and went back! i now own a ball python. i pick it and tank up tommorrow. i read the care sheet and such but it is very minimal. any help wouldbe greatly appreciated. by the way is there a help line for snake obsessed people? like for people with a gambling problem?
just yesterday i put felt on the tops of all 8 hide boxes so they are comfy when they bask on top of them. now back to the store for more felt

im gonna name him peanut cause his head is shaped like a planters peanut.

pythonpower · #2 (**permalink**) 05-13-2004, 09:22 PM

i love BPs i own two of them they are very easy to care for i keep my tanks around 75-80 ambient temp and around 85-90 basking and they aren't stressed all and i also got them a big water bowl so that they may soak in it and such. They are very lazy slow moving snakes and dont have a lot of activity.....in the cage.......but out of the cage they are big explorers. So good luck. You should love em

louise · #3 (**permalink**) 05-13-2004, 09:26 PM

thanks. i already love him! i will keep the temps. just as you said and thanks for the info!

pythonpower · #4 (**permalink**) 05-13-2004, 09:27 PM

no prob bob

pythonpower · #5 (**permalink**) 05-13-2004, 09:28 PM

what do you know about red tails im getting a baby in late june early july.

louise · #6 (**permalink**) 05-13-2004, 09:31 PM

well i got 4 redtails. from 7 feet to 2 feet. i keeop thier temps at 88 and basking about 91. they have a cool side that is about 77. mine all eat well. but i learned to feed them in seperate tanks then the one they live in. one of my snakes associate the tank opening to food and that is not a good thing. RTB are real friendly and love to sit on my lap while i watch TV or im on my comp. one even takes naps with me. they are the reason i so love snakes!

pathfinder36 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-13-2004, 09:33 PM

He he he... you've got it bad. =)
Good luck and post pics

pythonpower · #8 (**permalink**) 05-13-2004, 09:41 PM

are they that calm that they dont move. You sound like youv'e got as bad as i do. I have a new guinea carpet python thats 6', two BP, one thats 2.5' and another thats 1.5', I ALSO have a mexican milk snake thats about 2'. So i need to know that number to snake-a-holics. and im getting that red tail late june early july.

ecwredtail · #9 (**permalink**) 05-13-2004, 10:09 PM

louise how do you get the rtb's to sit still i take mine out and thats it they want to roam around the world
very seldom do they want to sit and chill i used to try to watch the race w/them but they keep trying to get inside the couch

louise · #10 (**permalink**) 05-13-2004, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pythonpower

are they that calm that they dont move. You sound like youv'e got as bad as i do. I have a new guinea carpet python thats 6', two BP, one thats 2.5' and another thats 1.5', I ALSO have a mexican milk snake thats about 2'. So i need to know that number to snake-a-holics. and im getting that red tail late june early july.

i promise you that you will absolutely love your redtail. now that it is hot out i take mine all outside and let them play in the grass or climb the bushes and never ever have a problem with them. sometimes when i wanna watch tv they will not wanna and explore. they do alot in thier tanks too and are real fun to watch!

louise · #11 (**permalink**) 05-13-2004, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pathfinder36

He he he... you've got it bad. =)
Good luck and post pics

i cant wait to post pics and show him off,lol.

louise · #12 (**permalink**) 05-13-2004, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecwredtail

louise how do you get the rtb's to sit still i take mine out and thats it they want to roam around the world
very seldom do they want to sit and chill i used to try to watch the race w/them but they keep trying to get inside the couch

i get a nice warm blanket most of the time and when they get situated in my lap i cover them. i also pet them the whole time im holding them. im surprise my big one does just sit there cause most of her body is hanging off my lap.

pythonpower · #13 (**permalink**) 05-13-2004, 10:17 PM

i have the same problem with all of my snakes.

herp_chick · #14 (**permalink**) 05-14-2004, 02:32 AM

Louise, just a few hints to keep in mind.

Small snake, small emclosure. I know they arent' attractive, but rubbermaids are best for BP's.

Human heat pad, set low to med, be sure to check temps with a digital temp gun.

Temps----Should be around 92 hot side, NO LESS than 80 on the cool side.

Baby BP's can be hard to get started feeding. If this proves to be the case, there's a lot of info, come in chat and I will help.

BP's stress very easily, altho you won't be able to tell when they are. They are also not very forgiving of husbandry mistakes.

For the first week, NO handling. Actually, NO handling except for cleaning until it has at least 3 consecutive successful feeds.

My BP's seem to do well with minimal handling anyway. Once a week or so is all they get, and they do not ball up, nor are they aggressive.

I think I covered it all, if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

Good Luck.

mnolan9876 · #15 (**permalink**) 05-14-2004, 03:12 AM

Wow, thats the complete opposite with my RTB, inside his cage he is so lazy, doesnt explore a whole lot, every once in awhile ill catch him roaming around at night, but for the most part he likes to chill in his shoe box with his head peeping out. When i hold him outside of the cage he gets active and will roam around a little but after a few minutes he will settle in and just relax with me.

snakemann6 · #16 (**permalink**) 05-14-2004, 04:45 AM

Lousie I have 2 bp's they are easy to maintain and care for. I know alot of people that have them and they are always amazed at the way my snakes are when I take them out. My bp's have always been handled. I have taken them everywhere with me. When I say everywhere, I mean it. Bp's are very calm animals and they rarely if every strike. I have had mine for about 3 yrs. You will love them once you get them situated. IF you start them off with a good feeding habit, you really won't have as bad as a problem when they get older. It's not uncommon for adults and sub-adults not to eat during the wintery mths. I scared me the first time I went through that stage. I scared me so bad I ended up $1,000 in the whole with vet bills. But they are great snakes. I enjoy passtimes with them as well, such as watching a movie, on the comp, or even a stroll outside. They love attention they just don't like everyone touching them. All in all, you have a docile snake that you will fall in love with and try to take everywhere possible. The only bad thing that I can find wiht bp's is that they grow really slow...I really do hate that.

Stormyva · #17 (**permalink**) 05-14-2004, 11:40 AM

Go with Herp_chicks advice! She knows what she is talking about, especially the minimal handling until the snake has taken at least three meals. It's not the easiest thing to do but in the long run is best for the snake.