Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys, I am Monica. I currently breed leopard geckos and have had kingsnakes in the past, but I am about to obtain my very first ball python.

I haven't had a snake since my husband and I got together (6 yrs ago). He hadn't had much exposure to reptiles and was as a result more of a mammal lover and didn't understand the attraction to cold-bloodeds.

I started him out easy with a pacman frog. A year later I started my leo collection, which is still going strong. Now it's snake time... I miss having them around.

My setup is as follows. 20 long tank lined with non dyed non treated paper. I have an UTH on one side with a piece of reptile carpet on top of the paper over the UTH so there is more padding between my baby and the UTH (to prevent burns). Over the UTH I have a ceramic cave hide. In the middle I will have the water dish, which is basically a dog bowl, and is big enough for the snake to get all the way in. On the other end I have a piece of driftwood (bought at a pet store, not just picked up somewhere) that provides some shelter/hiding area. I still have to check to make sure that my temp ranges are all correct and try to figure out the best way to have a basking area (probably one of those great ceramic heat bulbs on a timer up on top of the screen lid with some kind of branch for climbing). Speaking of the lid, it is one of those you slide in place with a mesh screen. I might have to cover part of it if I can't get my humidity right.

I know that the kiddo I am getting is about 2 years old and is smallish for its age but very healthy looking. I do not know the sex and will be taking it to my vet for a checkup and walk through probing (never probed a python, only kings, and it has been a while).

I'll take some pictures once I get it acclimated to the new home and out of quarantine. I'll probably pick it up next week sometime if I feel that I have the setup right and am ready for a smooth transition. I breed my own mice, too btw (I always use fancy mice because they just seem healthier to me without all the psycho tumor ridden problems of white/lab mice).

Can you guys see any mistakes I might be making or have any suggestions? I appreciate anything you can tell me to give this snake a good home and good life.

Monica

Insteed of using paper why don't you use repti-bark or something like it. Or you could use coconut fiber for a darker, finer substrate?(its avalibal in garden centers and is also alot cheaper)hope i helped

...mulch and other wood-type beddings are good for holding humidity but the tendancy is to "spot-clean" too long, bacteria/fungi build up, you end up with a STANKY cage and snake room. Not to mention the risk of getting this pathogen-laden material in the snake's mouth during errant food strikes. By using paper and changing it frequently, you eliminate these problems.
The cage carpet will not prevent burns if the UTH is too hot. I strongly urge you to get a rheostat/thermostat and set the temp at about 90F. More layers of paper will provide sufficient padding and I would nix the carpet. See my comment higher in the forum about "Cleaning" by Delta Woods. Scott J. Michaels DVM