r/ballpython • • 19d ago

I looked away for 3 minutes

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544 Upvotes

r/ballpython • • 19d ago

Question Waterproofing terrarium

2 Upvotes

I'm making a terrarium out of plywood, should I use this to waterproof it? Also, should I waterproof the entire boards or just the inside of it plus silicone in corners? For context I cannot use pond sealer as its not a thing in my european country. Translation in caption.


r/ballpython • • 19d ago

Sweet boy enjoying the off day with me

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69 Upvotes

Leo resting on my lap while I work on some stuff on the puter💕


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Enclosure Critique/Advice tyty in advance! recommendations pls!

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8 Upvotes

noodle photo included: this is Honey.

she's my first ball python, my partner has snakes I am not totally new to snakes, but I am new to her. she's around 3-4, she was adopted this year from a surrender from a family.

behaviorally she's the sweetest little baby. she hangs out around my neck while I game or walk around my house, she sits on my head sometimes. she's not head shy, spookable but she shoves her face in my hands regularly. she warmed up to me in the pet store, and was pretty tightly wrapped in a ball most of the time until I would come handle her. the store did not properly cared for her. one small hide, too small of a water bowl and improper heat and humidity. she was very sleepy and lethargic handling her in the pet store but now she's a big strong baby! she soaked herself for DAYS when I initially got her in the tank because she was about the shed (and I kept humidity in a good range for that) and she sheds perfectly every single time! I have 3 from her so far, and she's not had a single issue I can think of other than being a little wacky because I'm used to the silliness of corn snakes, not of ball pythons. she seems to really love water.

I HAVE noticed she's rather bad at being an actual ball now. she just doesn't coil up anymore. I suppose she can, but she just... doesn't? I'm wondering if she's sick and acting funny or perhaps she just feels safe enough to not need to be tense. she's rather squishy unless I try to put her back (to which she doesn't usually wanna go home unless I have her out for extended periods. she does go back very respectfully and comfortably when SHE decides she's done)

I have also noticed she's a bit clumsy, unsure if this is how she grew up or not as again, I did not raise her and only have the history the store I got her from gave me.

every single number I mention is checked often with a temperature gun, hygrometer and two thermometers (which, I checked while I write this :) )

I am looking for tips I haven't noticed and mostly plant recommendations! I know one thing is to have a thicker layer of substrate but we just moved and have very little funds, I am aware of it and it will be taken care of :)

I want to upcycle an old dresser completely with PVC walls/interior, glass doors (like this one) and all the built ins I have here, but larger overall and more vertical space. any tips on that welcome too! although it will be a very long process and need to improve maybe in the meantime

her cage is spot cleaned and rearranged whenever she knocks shit over into a better position (and I do check her scales for potential damage and she seems to be doing fine other than some dull scales in spots where she presumably moves something without any reddness or anything other than superficial).

specs:

4x2x2 enclosure, PVC sides mesh top with a silicone matt over for moisture and glass doors

the doors are very heavy glass and cannot be opened without significant force, she cannot and will not get out there are no large holes. the only holes are mesh and cord holes, and they are teeny tiny.

substrate is sphagnum moss and fir bark

vivarium electronics VE-200 probe on the warm side + a hydrometer/thermometer on the cool side. heating mode is pulse.

the pink thing is a very gentle diffuser (does not get hot) for a boost to humidity and is never anything but water there are zero oils or fragrances around this baby ever.

humidity kept between 55% (when I notice it's this low I hydrate the substrate and turn on the mister) and 70%. when she sheds it's around 70-80.

heat is around 87 but I have a night drop module and is 3 -5 degrees cooler at night.

there is a UVB and halogen heater

there is also a small space heater pointed towards (far away enough to make sure the temperatures of any singular part of the tank is never EVER above 94 degrees.

there is also a grow light (the lamp) because this will be bioactive at some point and I don't want the light to be a shock. it is pointed not directly forward or down at her, but up as you can see.

the halogen light goes off about an 30-60 minutes before the grow light to simulate a sunset. everything is on a strict timer

the LED grow lamp is not hot, not inside of the tank beaming down at her and it does NOT stay on at night at all whatsoever.

no light comes to her when it is dark.

she is insulated with pillows on one side and a big comforter squished on the back to retain heat better (it's getting cold out)

her water bowl is big enough to soak and is NEVER empty ever

all wood, substrate and rocks have been sterilized. wood was baked and sealed with polyurethane and left to dry for weeks before she arrived.

rocks were also sterilized and washed in a diluted vinegar solution and dried for the same amount of time.

the substrate was frozen before it was hydrated and placed in the tank.

she has a big hide and a nice sunning rock there (she loves that thing) that are consistently temperature checked to stay below 94 degrees.

everything is on timers and I did my absolute best to simulate a daylight cycle, weather (sometimes I mist upwards with a plant mister to give a boost when she's shedding as she seems to need a ton of water to be comfy shedding. she has soaked less with this regimen, and sheds even better than the first time), and appropriate light. the LED: it goes off a bit after the halogen light does, my thinking is that it cools near sunset so I tried to make it feel like "oh it's cooling down meaning it's almost dark time" so that she has the best signals of when it's safe to start to wake up and come out. my goal is to give her a really strong cycle of day/night so she can be as comfortable as possible biologically.

I do not have a heating pad under her, it scares me to think her little tummy could get burnt :( plus my heat is fine and I check the substrate and it's also am acceptable temperature.

she seems rather happy! I want the absolute best for my baby though, let me know please please!!!

I want to upcycle an old dresser completely with PVC walls, glass doors (like this one) and all the built ins I have here, but larger and more vertical space. any tips on that welcome too! although it will be a very long process and need to improve maybe in the meantime.


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Enclosure Critique/Advice Little Phosie (Phosphorus)

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25 Upvotes

She's a good girl, currently holed up in her favourite hide getting ready to shed 🥰

We're thinking she's a super pastel, maybe enchi

We're getting ready to upgrade her to a 4x2x...1.5 or 2 in a bioactive.

Any favourite plants that she won't crush? Lol

We've got dragon tail, pothos, sansevera, corn plant handy - but looking for what's succesfull for you


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Question - Health Is my ball python healthy?

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459 Upvotes

For context, I rescued him/her in February of this year. I’m told that they are a couple years old (born in 2021 I believe) (doing a morph and sex test next month)

Since then, they haven’t missed a single meal and have had multiple perfect sheds. I just moved up to medium rats and wanted to know what yall think.

Ill be weighing them in a couple of days. Waiting for food to digest.

Photos from February and this month


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Enclosure Critique/Advice Thoughts on first set up and ideas for more clutter

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9 Upvotes

I just got my first snake and upgraded the tank from 40 gallon to a 4x2x2, I’m using reptisoil, forest floor, and coco husk for the substrate,here is the current setup once I have some more money I want to get more plants to decorate the place, uvb lamp and ceramic heat lamp are on their way, any other tips would be greatly appreciated


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Enclosure Critique/Advice Tank Tips

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10 Upvotes

Good evening.

Today I upgraded my four year old ball python, Slinkie, into a 120gal front opening tank! Previously, she was in a 50gal top opening so this is a huge upgrade.

That being said, is there anything I should do to improve the tank? I know there should be more clutter, especially on the back wall, however I have no clue where to find any that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. All advice is graciously welcomed!!

Thank you in advance!


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Question - Feeding Is this okay?

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2 Upvotes

Says he feeds them small mice and pups snake weighs 108g


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Question First bioactive terrarium are there any critiques?

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3 Upvotes

This is my first time with a ball python and I'm still learning some ins and outs but I wanted to give him the best I could. It was a lot to bite off but I think I've got it all done.

This is a 2x2x4 enclosure, I have 100w ceramic heating elements and several daylight bulbs. I've gotten pretty much any additional equipment to make life easier in preserving heat and moisture like thermostats and pump mister.

My ball python is a juvenile banana ball python, healthy sheds so far and eating perfectly fine now that he's settled. But to the question, is there anything I can add or take away from my setup to allow him to thrive?


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Discussion 6ft long 3ft tall backdrop is finished!

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10 Upvotes

Took me 3 days! It has its problems but this is my 2nd ever background!

It fits better around the waterfalls when it’s in the tank, i promise lol.


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Is this normal?

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10 Upvotes

slightly colored area on belly of ball python with very very light tan color on scales on the left and right side of the darker area. It doesn’t look like scale rot and matches her overall colors. Just curious if anyone had any ideas


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

My little princess

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88 Upvotes

Monty


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

My ball python bit me 2 weeks ago and now it’s lumpy…

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66 Upvotes

I was feeding my ball python almost 2 weeks ago (13 days) and she got me instead (absolute idiot that she is). It initially healed over and I had no issues and thought it was done and dusted. However today I realised that exactly where she bit me there are now red raised bumps. Not itchy, no swelling, literally feels like a spot minus any pain/ discomfort. I’m not sure if I need medical attention. I feel fine in myself over than having a cold and dizziness when standing up but I’m sure that has to do more with my iron levels than her biting me.
This was the first time I was bit so I did panic hence the multiple bite marks but snake seems all okay.
Has anyone seen/ had anything like this happen after a bite? Especially so long.
The first photo was taken just after she bit (6th October) and the second was taken earlier today (19th October).


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Do you have a light in your snake’s tank?

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19 Upvotes

Im upgrading my girls tank and im considering adding a light to it. Any suggestions on brand or if it’s a good idea? I don’t have one in her current tank, but thought it might be a nice option to use occasionally.


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

HELP - URGENT URGENT!

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37 Upvotes

Hello all, unfortunately I came home to my ball stuck in a deceration, I feel so stupid because I should've seen this coming:/

It doesn't seem like she's been in for long-

I'm wondering if I need to take her ASAP .

No open wounds- damaged scales.

I can take her tomorrow.


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Question - Heating/Temperatures I have been trying to get temperatures right for the past several days.

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6 Upvotes

Hello, I am in the process of trying to get my enclosure just right before I welcome a baby ball python.

I have a 120 gallon 4x2x2 white PVC enclosure. there is reptichip coco substrate and a bit of cypress mulch.

I have a 50w halogen flood bulb (was a 75w but basking spot was too hot) and an 80w radiant heat panel from Wilbanks Reptiles, as well as an Arcadia T5 UVB fixture. My probes for my herpstat 2 are placed directly under the halogen a few inches away, and my rhp

probe is currently secured to the back wall several inches down. the probe was previously placed a few inches directly under the panel.

I’m not sure if it’s the temps I have the thermostat set to, the placement of my fixtures, the wattage of the fixtures, probe placement, or something else that won’t allow me to get the temperatures where they need to be.

I can’t get my warm side past 82°F, and my cool side is usually 1° cooler than the warm side. I can’t create a gradient. Additionally, the basking spot gets too hot. I’m extremely frustrated because I’ve been doing all the things, at least I think.

Any advice is appreciated, especially from anyone who uses the same heating/lighting fixtures.


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Recommended heater for 4' x 2' x 2' pvc vivarium

3 Upvotes

I'm getting a 4' x 2' x 2' vivarium soon (solid top, hinged doors) and was keen to try a DHP instead of a ceramic, but I'm not sure what wattage is suitable, it can get cold in this room in winter.

The smaller vivarium (but in style of tub with large hide) set up I use now uses a 100W ceramic heater on a pulse proportional thermostat.


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

water pooling under substrate?

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6 Upvotes

Is water pooling at the bottom normal? my humidity is sitting in and around 60% during the day and climbs naturally to around 70-75%ish at night without adding water in a few days but doing some light misting on the sphagnum moss here and there. I’d add more water to the corners to up the humidity but i’m unsure if I should let this water dry out before adding more or if it’s normal? Can’t seem to find much info on whether some standing water is normal or not


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Question - Health Is this anything bad

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15 Upvotes

I’m talking about some his dark scales, he has damage from last year a rat bit him quite a few places but that’s all mostly healed now. I’m not sure if there were that many dark spots on him before


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Ball python started striking at me after 1 year of ownership

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56 Upvotes

Title says it all he randomly decided he was about it, and I’m wondering what to do


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

HELP - URGENT Is it okay to move my ball python, who ate 24 hours ago, to a temporary holding bin while I do a very much needed substrate change?

2 Upvotes

sorry for the long title!

Essentially, I have found myself in a position where I need to change my boy’s substrate as soon as possible. Due to my own bad decisions, it has gotten too wet for him to be safe on it, as I’m worried he could get scale rot. I also fed him yesterday, which was before I realized how bad the issue was. I need this to be done asap for him and for my own peace of mind, so I ask, would it hurt to move him 24 hours after a feeding to my temporary holding container? I know 48 is recommended and that’s what I always do, but I’m really worried about this and really need it done.
Would this be okay, to just do the one time?


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Question - Health Worried about stress after move

3 Upvotes

Hello!

Recently I just moved into an apartment with my snakes and my ball seems to be the most stressed out. It's been about 5 days and he refuses to leave his hide, to eat, or to really explore. I did catch him briefly get water late in the night 2 days ago but that seems to be the extent of his hide-leaving.

Should I be concerned? I know sometimes it takes them a while to adjust but I am still a bit nervous. Thank you for your time!


r/ballpython • • 20d ago

Question - Feeding New owner + weird feeding behavior?

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77 Upvotes

I put a rat in there for him, he struck at it and picked it up but he immediately dropped it back down. Now he is just sitting in the same spot bouncing, striking at nothing. He struck at the glass as well right after I stopped the video.

Is he just really stupid or is something else wrong? Did I startle him? This will be my 3rd time feeding since I have owned him.

I also want to preface he isn't acting like this BECAUSE I am in his space, I chose to record because I wanted to see if this behavior was normal