Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am purchasing a new baby ball python within the next day or so and had a few question. Are these pythons clibers or generally ground animals? What is the best baskin temp, and night time temp? Thanks for ur help guys ~Matt

hot spot

90-95 degrees with a UTH controlled with some kind of lamp dimmer or rheostat

cool side 80-85 degrees

2 hides one on hot side one on cool side. The bigger the cage, the more hides you need (if you are housing a small bp in a large cage)

bowl of water large enough to soak in.

substrate- paper towels or news paper for atleast 1 month so you can watch for mites.

Digital Thermometer, you can get one at wal-mart for like 14 bucks. Put the probe over the UTH on the inside (uth should be on the outside of the cage underneath one side)

The fun part- fecal to go get a fecal exam done to make sure there are no internal parasites.

Put cage set up BEFORE you get the snake so you can monitor temps for a few days.

Put the cage in a low traffic area and just leave it alone for 2 weeks. Don't touch it just do spot cleanings and change the water.
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1.1 Ball Python, 0.1 motley amel corn, 1.0 western hognose

If it is CB from reputable breeder, you may not need to take it to vet. The vet is the safest thing but not the only option.

Here are my essentials for BPS:

Night Temp: 78 ( /- 3)

Day Temp: 88 ( /- 3)

I use a Green Turf for substrate, easy to spot clean, cheap to buy.

Make sure there is a heating element under the tank on one side. Have a hide over it and a hide on the opposite side.

A water bowl large enough for snake to hide/soak in.

One large climbing branch is sufficient. They are primarily ground snakes, but are able body climbers whilest young.

Give the snake 4 un-interrupted days in it's home. On day 5 pick it and put it down immediately after (Do 10-15 times during the day). On Day 6 take the snake out 2-3 times for 10-15 mins each and let him roam/experience your handling. On day 7 offer food in a seperate feeding bin and then leave him be in his home for two more days. After that, handle at your own leasure, except for feeding day and day after.

The reasons behind this technique are:

1) You want to minimize stress to the animal.
2) You want the snake accostomed to you before you start feeding it.
3) You don't want the snake to associate it's cage with food.

Good Luck. BPs are lots of fun and there are tons of info on the web. Hopefully you can post pics soon.

Remember, this is just MY OPINION and what has worked well for me.

Let us know if there is anything else...
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-Iman

1.1 Sugar Gliders
2.0 Balls (Spot and Speck)
0.1 Colombian BCI (Belle)
1.0 Colombian Rainbow (Rex)

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