Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, I have two corn snakes and have decided to take the next step to a ball python. Instead of using a loose bedding for my ball like I do the corns I opted for astro turf, but I've found it hard to keep up humidity(40 gallon glass tank). I misted and the heat lamp just dried the air right out. I also have a heat pad. I just put a damp t-shirt over half the tank and it has bumped the humidity up to 75%. I was wondering has anyone used T-rex forest bed(expandable substrate)? It's made out of coconut shells. For now I will stick with the astroturf because I am trying to switch him to f/t mice and don't want to risk impaction. Also, I really don't want to feed live but how long should I hold out on the live fuzzy for a 10 BP? He was on live and I fed him one live fuzzy to make sure he was a good eater but he wants nothing to do with f/t despite everthing I try.

Thanks in advance for any help.

I have my BP in a 50 gallon glass tank w/ lizard liner carpet. It's hard to keep temps and humidity up in a glass tank - but possible. Some easy fixes:

add a humid hide
cover with duct tape and/or damp towels (or the tshirt)

There are other options, but these seem to be the easiest and cheapest to me.

I know people who use the compressed coconut bricks w/ no problems - and they feed on it as well.

The trick w/ ft and a ball python - make sure that not only the prey is thawed, but it is very, very warm as well...remember they have heat pits. And of course make it 'dance' a bit to mimic a live mouse. After thawing, I lay the mouse on the heat lamp to get some warmth. The warmer the better (but don't heat too hot it explodes). My little guy wouldn't take a FT mouse unless it was a minimum of 108 degrees on the outside - just to give you an idea of what I mean by it must be very warm.

How old is he? Make sure you feed prey that is 1-1.5 times the widest part of your bp's body.

Best of luck!
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for humidity try plastic or glass...something that won't absorb water & humidity...example cut a piece of garbage bag the size of half or two third the screen size & tape it on & change when it gets beat up.....I have never used that bedding, I have had goos results with bed-a-beast & coconut bark chips (Although these chips produce a fine red dust that can be a pain especially when it comes in contact with urates then it's a pain to clean). With either I have not had any impaction from feeding be it live or f/t......personally if live were cheaper & easier than frozen all mine would be eating live....they eat that way in nature & are designed for it but the f/t saves you from that occasional accident. If it's a baby I would say if it eats live keep feeding it...if it doesn't switch right away no biggie it's just important to give a growing snake it's nourishment...balls are a pain in the but with eating sometimes...patience & keep trying & eventually it should come around. try wiggling the f/t on hemostats or tong & see if you can entice it to eat

Thank you Tigergenesis and Slytherin. I did get him to eat finally. I guess it wasn't hot enough or I wasn't doing the right jig with the mouse...lol. I've also got the humidity up with a wet shirt and misting but hopefully when he's done digesting I'll switch to the coconut and it'll be easier. Anyway thanks.