Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thank you everyone who ansered my earlier questions. Alas, I have more:

1) How often should I totally break down the cage and clean everything? What kind of weekly maintenance should I look forward to?

2) I was originally thinking of using reptile carpet as a substrate (rather than the look of newspaper), but thought I'd ask for the opinions of you more experienced keepers.

3) If I use an UTH, is it safe to have it sitting right on the wood stand?

4) Is there a good age for an inexperienced person like myself to look for in a BP? I've got my eye on a 4 month old.

Thanks again for all your help!

Okay, have a couple more to add....

I was just surfing the web and found a site where someone suggested using vinyl tile as a substrate because it holds heat well. Any opinions on this?

I've also seen it mentioned several times that a 65 quart Rubbermaid container would make a good cage. I was wondering if this would instead make a good place to temporarily house my BP when I am cleaning it's cage? If so, how do I deal with temp, humidity, etc? And what about a lid?

Once again, thank you all for your help. My plan is to buy everything I need first, try it all out and then get my BP. I just want to make sure I am well informed and prepared before bringing my BP home.

Vinyl tile would not be good as it can easily get bacteria between the cracks. However I HAVE seen people use ceramic tiles over the UTH for a basking spot and it seems trro work well, just don't let it get TOO hot.

I use plastic tubs, steralite, but same difference. They are great. It would be the best cage to house him/her in when you are cleaning out the cage. If you JUST clean out the cage then take him out of the tub, he isn't really in there too long to worry about heat and humidity, given the room isn't 30 degrees! LOL, another good use for the tub is a bath, it is a good idea to give him/her a room temp. bath as you start to notice them go into shed or if they have mites (I prey you NEVER see a mite!) you will have to give them some baths along with treatments, excessive cleaning, ect... so KEEP THE CAGE CLEAN and buy CB to avoid mites! Some people have CH animals that have been quarentined and some even treated, but watch out for people who say they are and their not.
As for a lid to the rubbermaid, the origional lid may be excapeable so I suggest you either reenforce it or make one that won't be able to be pushed off.

..." My plan is to buy everything I need first, try it all out and then get my BP. I just want to make sure I am well informed and prepared before bringing my BP home."...

I think I am speaking for anyone on here when I say this, but ...

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!

Most people we give advice to are not the smartest people out there I get e-mails alot with "I bought a ball python last week and he hasn't shed and he won't eat, what should I put in his cage, what do they eat, what ..." you get the point, I just DON'T get why ANYONE would BUY the pet BEFORE knowing how to care for it! So thak you! I have no problem giving advice I thank you for learning and not endangering another poor BP just because there easy to get!
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you're not."

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal - Future breeder of Pythons, Geckos, we'll see what else later! ~~ www.geocities.com/krystal19_85 ~~

Thank you for your advice. Another question, when using the tub while cleaning - what about air if the lid is on? Do I need to make holes, etc?

I was also considering using the carpet on the whole cage bottom and them maybe putting some bark on one half just for some variety? Would this be okay and/or a waste of time & money?

Also, is regular misting a requirement? If so, when, how and how often?

Thanks again!

Most drill holes along the sides of the tub, the top would work too, but drilling in the sides probably holds humidiy better if it matters. Since it is just a temporary box, I woulden't worry too much.

I was also considering using the carpet on the whole cage bottom and them maybe putting some bark on one half just for some variety? Would this be okay and/or a waste of time & money?

I think if you are going for natural look use just thee bark, like previously stated, the carpet CAN be a skin irritant and is also a good breeding ground for mold and bacteria. I use shreaded paper since I am not going for a natural look, but practical clean-up and care. Good luck with whatever you choose, just know what you are doing and again I know you have heard it 500 times... NO PINE OR CEDER!

misting is only needed if your humidity dosen't stay up, it is only a way to raise the humidity, there not slimy and don't have to be wet LOL but I am sure you know that.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you're not."

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal - Future breeder of Pythons, Geckos, we'll see what else later! ~~ www.geocities.com/krystal19_85 ~~

1). Cleaning - I would do a complete cleaning of the cage, depending on the substrate, every 1-2 months.

2). Substrate - Well as for the astroturf, I have used it and don't like it because it is very common for it to get moldy underneath. Paper towels and newspaper are easy and will require less cleaning, but I personally like the look of bark, not pine or cedar as you should know are harmful to most herps, because it spreads humidity well and holds heat good.

3). UTH - A UTH on a wood stand should not burn it.

4). Age - The age of the snake is all about the buyers preference, although most people like to buy their snakes as babies and raise them, because they think the snake will be more tame. I like raising my snakes.

Thank you mehen.

If I use bark, do I need to feed in a separate container? And how often do I completely change it out?

With Bark, yes you should feed in a seperate container, if you don't there is a chance the snake will pick up the bark with the food and it could get lodged in it's throat, ect... I HAVE seen people sucessfully feed on bark by simply placing a rather large (2-3x the size of the prey) piece of slate or other flat rock and offering the food on this, but I think feeding outside the cage is best. Clean once a month with bark.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you're not."

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal - Future breeder of Pythons, Geckos, we'll see what else later! ~~ www.geocities.com/krystal19_85 ~~

If you used bark I would change it every 2-3 months. You will definitely need to feed it in a separate container(a cardboard box or rubbermaid container work great).
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1.0.1 Ball Pythons

I would clean bark every month, there is too many places for mites, bacteria, ect... to breed and live. Besides, with the feces and uriates it also is hard to see if it is really clean or not. I am using paper and will STILL clean out the cages every month.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you're not."

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal - Future breeder of Pythons, Geckos, we'll see what else later! ~~ www.geocities.com/krystal19_85 ~~

What kind of paper are you using??
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1.0.1 Ball Pythons

shreaded paper, it is the kind that is light/dark gree so it has soft edges and won't give papercuts, but gives me the cleanliness I want, and the snake the option to burrow.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you're not."

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal - Future breeder of Pythons, Geckos, we'll see what else later! ~~ www.geocities.com/krystal19_85 ~~

are you talking about regular newspaper or construction paper?
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1.0.1 Ball Pythons

neither, it is from my mom's work. it is the paper they use for part numbers, ect... it is industrial LOL. I am sure you have seend it, it is light green/dark green/light green... you get it, striped... but the edges are much softer. and it is FREE~!
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you're not."

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal - Future breeder of Pythons, Geckos, we'll see what else later! ~~ www.geocities.com/krystal19_85 ~~

Do you think shredded paper is better to use than newspaper or paper towels?
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1.0.1 Ball Pythons

Either or, really dosen't matter, but less ink is [bleep]ood and they can burrow, but I would use any of them with same basic results.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you're not."

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal - Future breeder of Pythons, Geckos, we'll see what else later! ~~ www.geocities.com/krystal19_85 ~~