Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum. I did a google search for ball python discussion so I could learn a bit more about the new addition to the household.
My girlfriend has been wanting a snake for some time now, and I've decided to get her one for her birthday. Neither of us had ever owned a snake so we went to the pet stores to look around and see what was avalible. We looked at everything from simple green garden snakes up to a guy who had a green tree python (Far too expensive for a first time snake) After reading up on Pythons I decided a Ball Python was perfect for our household. I didn't want a snake that would be too agressive, and I didn't want one that would grow large enough to eat my cat should it escape (which I've found out happens to everyone at least once). I did my reading, picked out the snakes new living quarters, and I'm picking it all up tomorrow evening after work. However, I do have a question..
While looking at cage goodies, I noticed the small heat pads that go under the tank as "floor" heating. Would it be too much warmth to have these as well as two lights on a 20 long tank?

Two lights plus a UTH would probably be a bit much. I was using a basking light for a few days but it was lowering the humidity too much. I switched to a UTH and I still have humidity problems but not as bad. If you decide to use a UTH make sure you have a way to control it as they get way too hot. If the ambient temps in the room are pretty consistent you can use a rheostat. If temps vary you should probably get a thermostat.

Depends. You may need it or it may be too much. Buy the heating pad and set everything up. See what your temps are and go from there. Just measure the temps with a good thermomether (digital with probes, the stickons are junk) in the right spot (measure surface temps/belly heat since that's what your BP will feel). Tanks can be a pain when it comes to maintaining proper temps and humidity (in other words more work, but it's possible) so be sure to set it all up and get it running right before bringing your BP home. It will save you a lot of problems and reduce stress for your BP.

Email me for a caresheet if you're interested:
tigergenesis@comcast.net
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

Thanks for the reply, but I'm not going to have the time to set it up and monitor the temp for a few days since the snake is coming home today (Im really excited).
I'm going to go ahead and just do one light, and the UTH, placing each on opposite ends of the cage and I'll see where the temps are, and go from there.

When I had my ball I had it in a 20 long and it was my first snake. He thrived with just one nocturnal bulb on him. If you don't want to waste money I wouldnt buy from a pet store. I have seen normal bps as high as $80 bucks at petco and as low as $20 at a herp show that was much better quality.

PS. You should save up for the GTP. They are awesome snakes. My first snake was a ball python and my most recent was a GTP.

Good point....petstore prices (on supplies and snakes) are much higher. Online supply stores are cheaper. And you'll find better deals on snakes at reptile shows. Not only that but you'll be able to find out more info about your snake from a breeder (date of birth, health history, etc).
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"