Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all. I need some questions answered on a couple things. I bought a ball python today and have been scouring information on them for the last few days. She is eight weeks old and I held her yesterday at the reptile shop. Okay first question. I notice a few bugs running around in the cage. Two or so black flying insects that look like beetles. I doubt these are mights because they aren't as small as I think mites are. I also saw a red bug which was smaller, but still quite bigger then mite size. At this store that I bought her at they have lizards that feast on a multitude of bugs and a few escape her and there. I'm just curious as too what these bugs are and if they are harmful or just along for the ride.

Second question is that I only bought a light as a heat source. The guy helping us seemed to think that in our climate at this time of year(California) that the temperature for now won't be low enough for the need of a hot pad. I'm curious what the more experienced people think of this.

Okay third question(sorry for the long post). The guy also says that a hiding spot is not necessary because if the snake needs to hide it will go under the substrate(which is a type of nonchemicalized clumpy paper that they like to use). His reasoning seemed to be that with a more significant hiding spot the snake would have an escape tool if shy and be harder to tame. Now everywhere online I've read that hide boxes are essential and then he throws me a opposite opinion. Would the substrate be enough to hide enough(there is also a curly looking log in there which probably has space under) or should I make/buy a hiding area anyways?

Also he supplied me with a stick on thermemoter(which I put on the inside). Should I buy a digital one or will this work for now?

Lastly he mentioned misting the snake a few times a week for humidity, but I'm not sure on this. What can I use to measure humidity in the cage so I don't go overboard?

Anyways, Thankyou for the replies and sorry for the questions. The place I bought the snake from has been in business for many years and specializes in reptiles. My mom also knows the owner who was a biology teacher at a school she used to work at. Just wanted to give some information on the place.

I too am a newbie to Balls, but will try and answer your questions well as i can.
The pet store that i got mine from (Cali) recommended both the heat lamp and the heat pad, so i got both, yesterday i got a rheostat to control the temp of the heat pad which i set to low-medium during the day, low at night.
I am also using the same substrate but also got 2 hide boxes, one on the cool side, and one on the hot side. He seems to be more relaxed that he has a place to hide on each side, i also put a towel on the cool side, away from the heat lamp, that makes him feel even more secure, sometimes he's just layin out in the open where the towel covers and is fine.
I also have the stick on theremometer and was told that a digital one is best. You should be able to purchase Humidity gauges at the pet store where you bought the snake.

Hope this helps and if anyone can give more info or correct the info that i gave, please do so! Let's all learn together! =)
Happy Ballin!

Brian

Definitely do the hiding place(s). The snake will hide under the substrate if given no other alternative, but in the process will pretty much trash the cage, and often ends up caked with substrate in the process. I use half a hollow log for my guy, and also have a couple of artificial plants in there. He hangs out in the plants sometimes, other times goes under the log for a bit, and on the really hot days likes to hang out in the "pool". Forcing the snake to have to bury itself in the substrate every time it is feeling "shy" just isn't cool, IMHO. Give the critter some options!

For the heat, I have always used both incandescent bulbs and a heating pad. Monty seems to like to move to the heating pad after eating, to get that mouse digesting. On hot days, he moves away from the pad, and goes under a plant, on top of his log, or into his water dish ("the pool".

From what I've read on humidity and BP's, you definitely CAN overdo it. Most sources say that having a dish of water large enough for the snake to lay in always in the cage and evaporating under the lights is sufficient humidity. Misting seems to promote fungus and other undesirables in BP's. I keep a humidity gauge posted right over the water dish, to keep watch on it. Monty does like the occasional soak in warm water that is deeper than his pool (I use the sink), especially around shedding time. You will probably want to invest in a good digital thermometer to keep track of the temp. Those stick-on things are worthless on anything but aquariums filled with water.

Congratulations on the new snake! Glad to see you looking for info, tells me he's got a good home!

Wendy