Questions considering a Ball Python.

XzyluM · #1 (**permalink**) 04-13-2002, 11:07 PM

Well, I'm currently in the process of setting up my new home for a Ball Python. I've researched tons of information and way over 200+ sites dealing with caring and other information on them. Some things have left me wondering, so some more experienced owners could possibly help me. I've learned most about these reptiles but housing I have found very little information on. Hopefully, I can get some help here.

What type of housing would be best. I'm pretty much considering an aquarium, even though I would like to build one. I'm planning on getting a 30GL since it would have plenty of room and won't outgrow it anytime soon. Wouldn't this be about right? Would a screen housing be good for a Python? (To me, I don't think it's a good idea, since it would be hard to keep a good heating and some other downsides.)

Dealing with heating, is it hard to maintain a stable environment? I'm thinking about getting a heat pad and heat lamp for mine. Would that be enough. This is what really baffles me a lot. I know they require 85-88 on the warm side and about 75-80 on the cool side, but how hard is it to keep it warm and stable?

The rest I have pretty much got planned out. Like hide boxes (most likely going to have two), possibly a humidity box, a nice water dish, some driftwood (plenty of that around here) and I've got a nice large piece already, a nice rock formation, and probably wood chips for substrate (I'm still considering newspaper). Oh yeah, and I'll have thermometers and humidty gauges as well. So I think I've got a nice home for it once I get out tonight and start shopping for this stuff. Mine's suppose to be in next week, well, I still get to chooose ( [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] ) so I'm trying to hurry up and set this up. I'm also considering F/T prey unless he/she is a really pain in my arse and I have to get live.

Well, this is getting long and I hope I get a lot of opinions and tips as well. I need all I can since I won't the best home and environment for my snake. I'm not really a cheap-stake guy, I look nice and decorative housing. I'm not really going to spend like $20 on let's say driftwood, but for really essential stuff I don't mind. I probably won't use tubberware or terra cost pots, but just leave them if you prefer that. Who knows, I could change my mind anytime.

Jack_Daniels · #2 (**permalink**) 04-13-2002, 11:26 PM

Whats up dood.. Welcome to RTB..

Your set up sounds fine. A 30 gal. will be big enough for the snakes entire life.. A heat lamp & undertank heat pad sounds fine too.. I rig up all my heating "devices" to run through dimmer switches so I can 'tweak' the temperatures, into perfection. Check out WalMart or some place like that and go to the 'light bulb' section. Look for a little incandescent black light bulb... a "party light" I think they're called.. They're 60 watts so the heat output is perfect, and the light they throw out can't be picked up by the "reptilian eye" so you dont have to worry about hooking up a way to keep the photoperiod on track.. the sun through the window will do it for you.

One other thing, if you take any wood or rocks out of the woods or off the beach bake them in your oven at about 350 degrees, for 30 to 45 minutes to kill all the mites or mite eggs etc... you dont want to give your snake 'critters'..

Oh yea, I'd definatly recommend frozen thaw'd food, or prekilled.. I think balls rank at about number 1 in the category of being killed or messed up by their 'food'... Other than that, I htink you got pretty much everything covered... Good luck with him.. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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Constrictor_BO · #3 (**permalink**) 04-13-2002, 11:58 PM

Yeah.. your set up sounds pretty good. 30 gal long wll do fine. The temp isnt all that hard to keep up with. You just have to play around and monitor it till you find the right settings. I set my UTH on low and use a 60 watt buld which does fine in my setups. Definately use regular household bulbs and the blacklights you get at wallmart or lowes hardware. They are basically the same thing as those reptile bulbs and cost much less.
Like Jack said. make sure you bake anything to rid it from any parasites. but I bake all mine at 250 degrees for an hour. whatever temp you use, just be sure to watch it and not let it get too hot. You might end up smoking the house up.

Anyways.. welcome to the site. I am sure you will see plenty of advise here.
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XzyluM · #4 (**permalink**) 04-14-2002, 12:17 AM

Hey guys, thanks for the warm welcome. I've researched a lot and been on this forum researching old posts for like 3 hours. Yup, my eyes are killing me. I'll be willing to help with what I've learned so far (pretty much a lot) and experience even more once I get my snake and get familiar with everything. I'll check here daily, which I do with all the forums I visit. This is by far the best forum on snakes I have come across and the only one I have registered with. Thanks for the tips on the baking to kill mites and other parasites. I will be doing my site pretty soon and trying to get some good shots on my webcam (that usually come out fuzzy so I'm going to try and tweak it to get a clear picture). I'll put up my viv and snake pics as soon as I get them. Hopefully, I get a digital camera soon. Anymore tips, opinions, suggestions, truly welcome.

Jack_Daniels · #5 (**permalink**) 04-14-2002, 12:30 AM

One thing I forgot... If you're looking for some rocks for your snake cage, and you get them from outside, make SURE that they're not holding any moisture in them when you bake'em in the oven.. they tend to blow up heh... If you tame the temperature down it may not happen, but when Im takin' care of mites/ticks etc, Im out to kill....so I may go a little over board... I havnt had any problems tho [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] ...but definatly make sure they're dried out.. I found out the hard way when I was getting some rocks ready for an alligator snapper tank.... Ka boom...
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Constrictor_BO · #6 (**permalink**) 04-14-2002, 12:34 AM

You only been here searching for 3 hrs??? how far did you get... there is a ton of stuff out there. You'll be here for a long time to come but you'll fine some good stuff to help ya out too.
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XzyluM · #7 (**permalink**) 04-14-2002, 12:35 AM

LOL, thanks for that tip. I don't plan on using anything from outdoors except driftwood or branches. The rest is pretty much going to be bought. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] I've been searching this forum for 3 hours or more, I've search other sites and forums until the end. That's how come I've learned a lot so far. I don't really like to read, but when it comes to caring for a pet, I always look up everything I can get my hands on. I'm going to the mall soon, when my girl gets here and most likely get a book on them. I just found this site today, or I would have be a member a long time ago [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] This is by far the best I've come across. Just shows people that you can never get enough information.

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