Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just bought a new baby ball python yesterday after doing about a months worth of research. But, I still have a bunch of questions, and I figured a bunch of you guys know a lot about 'em, so here we go.

1. The lady at the petstore I bought the ball from, told me that its important to feed the ball in a seperate enclosure, because otherwise if you feed it in its housing, it will think that everytime you put your hand in, its feeding time. Is this true?

2. I bought a 75 watt incandescent light for my ball, but I don't think its hot enough. What watt bulb should I get? Right now, its just about 80 degrees. Is that hot enough?

3. How do I keep my cage humid enough? The people at petco told me to spray the cage with a spray bottle every day and that should be enough?

4. Any other tips for a new owner?

Thanks for your help.

~ Kenji

I'll just tell you how I handle it... most of which I learned from this and ballpythons.net

1. Definitely feed her in another enclosure if possible. A plastic container with a heat pad is fine.

2. Go to home depot and buy two probe thermometers. Probes are about the only accurate way to measure hot/cold side temps... that or a wonderful TempGun. I found that my ball is much happier without incandescent lighting.. they like it dark I use a blacklight & heating pads for heat. I also covered 3 of the tank sides to help keep out some of the light and have lots of vines over the front.

3. Lots of ways to keep humidity up. Buy a hydrogometer (sp?) and mount in the center of the cage a couple inches above the bottom. Keeping a large bowl of water over your heating pad may be enough. If not, misting once a day works. I don't mist my ball, she hates it... just the cage.

Good luck. I own various herps but the balls are hands down my favorites.
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Kane

Thanks for helping me out. One more quick question, how often, in general, do ball pythons like to be held?

the more you handle it the more docile it gets is a good general rule. Just make sure you dont handle within 48 hours after feeding.
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

I'm not a owner of any herps, just a domicile attendant.

My image Gallery

not as often as most snakes in general. I just watch the attitude of the snake if it is defensive or flighty I dont hold it that day. My two females willl actually crawl out of the rack and into my hands if they feel like being out.
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0.1 Leos
1.1 Corn snakes (1 Lav & 1 Ghost)
0.1 Banan California King
0.0.1 Childrens python
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow boa
1.0 Rat (as pet not food)
1.2 Ball pythons (1pastel 2 normals)
"whats with you and all those dang reptiles?"

1. The lady at the petstore I bought the ball from, told me that its important to feed the ball in a seperate enclosure, because otherwise if you feed it in its housing, it will think that everytime you put your hand in, its feeding time. Is this true?-No, in fact if you feed with hemostats/tongs in the cage it will be less likely to associate your hand with feeding than with feeding outside the cage. also many BP's wont eat outside the cage at all.

2. I bought a 75 watt incandescent light for my ball, but I don't think its hot enough. What watt bulb should I get? Right now, its just about 80 degrees. Is that hot enough?-I suggest buying a human heat pad and set it on medium. Place it so it covers 1/3-1/2 the bottom of the cage. Bulbs dry out cages. Also you can cover 2-3 sides with styrofoam to retain heat.

3. How do I keep my cage humid enough? The people at petco told me to spray the cage with a spray bottle every day and that should be enough?-Get rid of the light bulb, they dry out cages. If you are using an aquarium cover the screen top with plastic. Cypress mulch will help with humidity.

4. Any other tips for a new owner
dont handle or try to feed it for 2 weeks.
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

I'm not a owner of any herps, just a domicile attendant.

My image Gallery