Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi everyone. After doing all the research etc we finally got our Ball Python. She's 1 1/2 yrs old..we got her from someone my husband works with. The young fella is in the army and didn't have time for her anymore. So....she now belongs to us. I'm having a hard time regulating the temperature and humidity in the tank. She's in a 30 gal (tall..not long) tank (we'll be getting a bigger one as soon as possible) All we had in the tank was a ceramic reptile heater rock which we used last night under her den. She slept in there all night. We keep our house pretty cool at night but thought she'd be ok. We got up this morning and the humidity level was 65%. The temp was 60 so it was low. I immediately hooked up the heat lamp that was given to us and now that the tank is warmed up to 80..the humidity has dropped (naturally) to about 57. How on earth do u balance the 2? How do u keep it warm AND humid at the same time? constant misting of the tank???? There's a huge water dish in there but I'm at a loss for what else to do. I'm using a substrate that I bought from the pet store for reptiles...looks kinda like bark/tree clippings. HELP!

Lisa

when is it ok to handle her? her previous owner says she's used to being handled however she hasn't come out of her den since we got her (except during the night and i know that because she's just coming out of a shed cycle so i see pieces of skin in the tank) Can we handle her today or should we wait?? I planned on waiting a week but I gotta admit that i'm SOOOOO excited and can't wait to hold her!

Lisa

I would remove the heat rock, as these are noctorious in causing severe burns. Instead, use a undertank heater over one third of the cage floor. A ceramic heat emitter can be used to provide additional heat. The temperature over the undertank heater should be in low to high 80's F. The cool end can be 70's F. Provide at least two hides, one on the cool end and one in the warm end, over the heater.

If humidity is bad, you can use a moist hide whenver you notice you python going into shed. Broken shed indicates not enough humidity.

YOu diffenately need to get those temps up in the cage. Also, get a good digital thermometer with probe or temp gun. Put the probe on thehot end and the therm in the tank or beside the cool end, outside the tank. I also recommend buying the Ball Python Manual, there is alot of good information in there.