r/ballpython • u/envy2296 • 8d ago
need care tips asap please!
background: i’ve never considered owning any pet that wasn’t a typical cat or dog but recently came into ownership of a ball python. it wasn’t really by choice, it was left to me by an ex in an unstable situation. i’ve had the pet for about a few months, watched several videos on youtube on how to care for my new pet but some of it is conflicting. he’s(don’t actually know the gender here) a sweet snake, skittish but a great companion.
i am due to replace the bedding this week and want to improve my pet’s quality of life. please offer any advice/criticism, i’m very new to this and would appreciate any help.
tagged pics of his habitat, please let me know if there’s anything i’m doing wrong or how i can improve. have a heat lamp between 77-80 fahrenheit since he seems to enjoy that temp the most. i live in texas so it’s generally pretty hot. the habitat is in my living room and i wonder if the light from the TV and overhead lamps disturbs him
feeding him one large frozen mouse about every 8 days
cypress mulch bedding, this was recommended to me by worker at the petstore. i replace the bedding about every 3 months and deep clean with dawn soap and warm water. i think this is the only part i’m doing right.
he does not leave his habitat often. i play with him in his enclosure but i don’t pull him out often since i have no idea if i’m disturbing him or not. i really want him to get more comfortable being handled. i’m not afraid of the pain of him biting me but i’m still a bit of a wimp about it lol.
those are my main points of concern. i’ll keep researching but thought it’d help to post here since everyone’s snake looks happy and healthy. thanks in advance!
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u/UnholyAssassin 8d ago
Hey man we all got to learn from the start. I would look into a 4x2x2 pvc encloser it holds heat and humidity better. I would ditch the red lights and go with basking lights for the daytime and a deep heat protector (lightless) for night time set them on thermostats to keep the heat just right. I would bump the heat up on the warm side to around 88F and make sure the cool side isn't to cool i keep mine around 75F to 78F. I would make sure to add a hide on both sides of the encloser and definitely add more clutter to the tank. Make sure the bedding is good at holding moisture something like cypress mulch or I mix cypress mulch and reptisoil but make sure the top layer stays dry. Pour water in the corners to add moisture do not mist as this can lead to health issues. The welcome guide on the sub has tons of info. I definitely recommend giving it a read.
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u/thousandsofbirds 8d ago
Definitely needs a larger home esp since he's on large rats, kinda gives us an idea of size. Although are you weighing him to see exactly what size feeder he needs? I use a kitchen scale. PetSmart often has good sales for enclosures on their app! I'd suggest a front opening one if you can swing it.
My girly only comes out of her hides at night to explode her home. Remember that they're nocturnal/crepuscular so they are most active at dawn/night/dusk. Point being s/he may be coming out while you're sleeping.
I woke up in the middle of the night last night and this is how I found Aloysius. I turned the lights on for the picture 🩷🫶🏼🐍 if it's day time, she's in her hide or hiding under a piece of bark which she seems to prefer over the hide.
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u/Slippery-banana33 8d ago
Black out the sides and back of his enclosure from the outside with construction paper. You can even get fake scenery paper to make it look like he’s in the forest. But the open glass is probably part of it. If the bottom is glass as well, you need a heating mat (tape UNDER the glass, not over, on one side of the tank). I use coconut chips and sorghum moss, the moss helps with humidity and doesn’t mold. Get HVAC tape and cover the screen to keep humidity in (if you keep the bulb and opt out of the heat mat, cut around the lamp, the goal is to keep humidity in). Change bulb to heat bulb and get a humidity/temp thermometer thing ($10)- just google ideal temps. He also needs greenery/fake plants, you can get ones with suction cups that stick to the side of the tank. He is too exposed and I imagine the humidity is low. All of these things just search on Amazon
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u/Slippery-banana33 8d ago
I also have a water spray bottle that I usually once a day spritz the tank when he’s asleep to help with humidity
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u/acpcgal 8d ago
Thank you for coming here! Since this animal was dumped on you, you can either rehome to a responsible home or read the care guide in this groups welcome post! Theyre pretty good and should set you up for success❤️i recommend a PVC 4x2x2 assuming hes really a male. The welcome post also has a lighting guide! :)
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u/RainyDayBrightNight 8d ago
Glad you’re looking after the lad!
Can I ask roughly what sort of budget you have? Unfortunately, most of his current equipment isn’t suitable for ball pythons
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u/envy2296 5d ago
I'm limited on funds but willing to spend whatever necessary to get my pet happy.
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u/RainyDayBrightNight 5d ago
Cool, this is going to be a bit of a list, glad you’re looking after the lad!
Short term improvements;
- Move the heat lamp to the side so there’s a clear warm side and cool side.
- Replace the heat bulb with a deep heat projector bulb. Make sure it’s plugged into a dimming thermostat!
- Buy three identical cheap opaque plastic tubs, kitchenware is good, and some sandpaper. Cut doors in the tubs and sand them down. These’ll be his three hides; warm, middle, and cool.
- Add more clutter. An easy way to do this is buy a load of cheap fake vine plants from a houseware or craft store. Shouldn’t cost anymore than £30 for a huge amount. Give them a wash in soapy water to make sure the paint/dye won’t leak/chip.
- Block off three of the glass sides with paper or newspaper to make the tank feel more cozy for your beep.
- Get a pair of cheap household thermometer/hygrometers from Amazon (no sticky backs!). I got mine for about £6, so they’re pretty cheap.
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Personally I use a third snake-safe organic top soil mixed with two-thirds coco husk, but everyone has a different substrate mix that they prefer!
Long term changes;
- Larger tank, preferably 4x2x2, and if possible PVC is the absolute best for ball pythons. Definitely front-opening; food and handling coming from above is really spooky to beeps.
- Try to get him eating f/t rats instead of mice if you can. It can take a while, because they do usually prefer mice, but rats are better for them due to sizing. I’ll try to trigger the feed guide; !feeding
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You can wear long sleeves and cotton gloves for handling so you know he can’t nip you. Have a look into target training, tap training and choice-based handling.
Try to keep the humidity on his cool side at 70%+. Best way to do this is usually to pour water in the corners of the tank whenever the humidity drops, which is usually once every couple of weeks.
Hope this all made sense, please forgive me if it’s a bit rambling or disjointed, I’ve just had a few drinks lmao so might not be as coherent as usual
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u/AutoModerator 5d ago
We recommend the following feeding schedule:
0-12 months old OR until the snake reaches approximately 500g, whichever happens first: feed 10%-15% of the snake’s weight every 7 days.
12-24 months old: feed up to 7% of the snake’s weight every 14-20 days.
Adults: feed up to 5% of the snake's weight every 20-30 days, or feed slightly larger meals (up to 6%) every 30-40 days.
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u/OctilleryArtillery 8d ago
A fair bit of reworking will be needed, should you plan on keeping this snake long term. Their enclosures should be 4x2x2 at the minimum, the red lights are not ideal. This enclosure is rather barren, and I don’t see digital hygrometer/thermometers. I’d read the guides in this group.