Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am working on gathering information on a snake for me to purchase. I have come to the Ball Python as my desired snake.
I used to own a Kingsnake for many years.
He used a bark substrate, and I did not like the cleaning and subsiquinte dust which was created.
I read here
http://www.kingsnake.com/ballpythonguide/
that newspaper is a suitable substrate for Balls...
Is shredded news paper alright aswell?
If Shredded is fine, is taking a bigger buck, and useing white printer paper, alright aswell?

Also how difficult is it to keep a high 60-70% humidity? how much water will I need to add to the enclosure.
I plan on building one out of White Melamine, and useing a silocone glue to seal the cracks.
The front door would be a removable screen door built strong.
Melamine is water resistent, and will tolerate being misted to a degree.
The moisture made from a large water dish will not be a problem,
Basically, will I need to spray the cage 5 times a day? or just one misting a morning?

Thanks

melamine is ok....but check out other plastic options
you cannot keep any humidity with a screen door....plexiglass.
cypress mulch,3 inches deep will work well....yes it's dirty and dusty too.......paper works....misting is a pain......no need to mist actually.....and they need 84 degrees........some will tell you 80 cold side 92 hot side with hides on both sides and water dish on cold side......

..check out cages in here.........you'll be amazed maybe/???...

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shredded paper isn't worth the trouble or cost at all. Probably end up causing more problems anyway.I can see a snake getting itself tangled up in it or ingesting some.

Use just regular newspaper sheets or paper towel. Aspen shavings or cypress mulch work to.

No screen doors or top, small screen on sides or a partial screen top is fine for ventilation. Most ball python keepers either buy plastic or PVC type cages for ball pythons, or use rack systems with plastic tubs in them for snakes.

Ball pythons do best in fairly small cages, with plenty of hides and seclusion where they feel secure. Large glass tanks with open sides tend to make them feel insecure.

A melamine cage (3'x2'x16" is fine for an adult ball) with sliding class doors and side vents will be fine. A wide water bowl should help with humidity but use of a humid hide gives the snake option to seek more humid areas then the rest of the cage.

Definitely search more care sheets and read through this forum for more info on care and cages. The ball Python Manual, and the 'The Complete Ball Python' book are great resources... also the 'Pythons of the World part 2: Ball Python' is another good resource though rather expensive (or it was last time I priced it may have gone down since then)
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PHLdyPayne