Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've just got a one year old male Ball python (high gold) and till now I'm keeping it in a 20 inch plastic tub, but am planning to purchase a 2.5 foot glass aquarium next week...

It seems that he's not very shy and he's exploring the cage all the time, is that normal for a newly acquired ball python? i've read that they're quite shy.

And another thing - I ordered a heat mat but it still hasn't arrived, but the room temperature it's in is of around a constant 78 F, is that ok for now? ( i won't be feeding him till I get the heat mat)

here's a pic of him

it is a high gold, i guess...?
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0.1 Python regius
1.0 Zamenis situla

He's pretty

In my opinion, as long as you don't feed him and keep the room temperature above 73 degrees until you get an undertank heater, he should be fine. It isn't ideal, but this species goes through cold spells in Africa just fine and he should be all right.
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1.1 ball pythons
1.1 kingsnakes
0.1 crazy cat
?.? ASFs
1.0 husband

the heat mat just arrived, now he has a temp gradient of 75F to 87F surface temperature (checked with a temp gun), which i guess is good enough....

Thanks
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0.1 Python regius
1.0 Zamenis situla

That is a pretty good gradient. I provide my snakes with a hot spot up to 92 degrees (I have a couple of real heal lovers). I use a Zoo Med undertank heater and provide them with a hide that holds in the heat, like a clay pot or really thick tupperware container. That tends to bring the heat up.
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1.1 ball pythons
1.1 kingsnakes
0.1 crazy cat
?.? ASFs
1.0 husband

If he's a he ya gotta switch him from a 0.1 to a 1.0 in your sig.
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Coolluigi

1.0 Pastel
1.0 Yellowbelly
0.2 Normal
0.1 Spider
1.2 Het VPI Axanthic (Babies are getting bigger!!)
and soon to be more. *fingers crossed*

yeah, my mistake , it's ok now...
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1.0 Python regius
0.1 Zamenis situla

>>it is a high gold, i guess...?

Its a normal, but a great looking one! It will darken as it matures.

Despite all the exotic morphs out there, normals are still my favorite.