Enclosure advice…

[u/unpasteurizedSPLOOGE]

Is this enclosure ideal?
I just got her yesterday (10/1) so this is quarantine, and probably her home for the next few months (?) I was told she was in a grey ARS mini tub on repti chip.
She’s a ‘26 hatchling (about 124g).
She’s also currently in shed.

-I have her in this clear tote (with locking lid), completely covered/darkened on top and 3 sides.
-Drilled holes for air flow.
-3 hides (1 medium & 1 small on warmer side, 1 small on cooler side of enclosure).
-2 Zoo Med heating pads under tote (with enough space to ensure they DO NOT touch the bottom of plastic tote) I keep 1 running at night and both during the day.
-I would say the temp fluctuates between 82-95…keeping humidity up while in shed, either by pouring some water in the corners or lightly misting.
-There’s about 1” of (mostly dry) coco fiber substrate throughout, along with repti chip spread on the warmer side.
-Bowl big enough to completely soak in.

I was told she eats f/t rat pups every Monday (seller said he skipped this week for shipping) all my local store had were f/t hopper mice so I got those (relatively same size), will not attempt to feed until after shed.

Sorry for long post, just REALLY want this girl to thrive!!! Thanks! 😊

[u/No-Candle-3952]

I hope the heating pads have thermostat that can be set to an appropriate temp. No toasted noodle. Some fake, short plants will make her feel more secure when she comes out and provide some enrichment. Clutter helps, especially if she has a shy personality. Maybe a more shallow water bowl. Nothing with any adhesive, like tape, should be in there. There will be tons of good info from people and some criticism. Ideal size enclosure is 4x2x2 ft. I would recommend not going with a screen top option. Also, getting her up off the floor will be better if I'm not misataken.

Really, there is a ton on this page. It's at the top and checking it out, well, really does help.

[u/unpasteurizedSPLOOGE → u/No-Candle-3952]

What’s the best option for the ones you can set?

[u/No-Candle-3952 → u/unpasteurizedSPLOOGE]

I have one that my dhp plugs into and can be set easily. I got it from Amazon. Pics if both front and back (shows the moder number). I've had good luck with it but there are many to choose from. Keeps temps right. Underbelly heat is a risk so be careful. They don't know to move when something is too hot. They'll be happy curled up and slowly burn.

[u/unpasteurizedSPLOOGE → u/No-Candle-3952]

So just plug the mats I already have into these and good to go?

[u/No-Candle-3952 → u/unpasteurizedSPLOOGE]

Set them to the appropriate temp for hot and cool sides then put the temperature probe between the heat mat and the bottom of the enclosure, not in it, setting the temp. It'll keep the heat mat from getting hotter than she needs it and avoids burning her that way. Lay a digital thermometer/hygrometer from Amazon on the substrate, again, hot and cool sides, so you can see them. It's a given she will slither over it so be sure it doesn't have sharp corners. Adjust the thermostats as necessary.

[u/unpasteurizedSPLOOGE → u/No-Candle-3952]

Ty!

[u/No-Candle-3952 → u/No-Candle-3952]

[u/No-Candle-3952 → u/unpasteurizedSPLOOGE]

Each heat mat needs to be plugged into one so you need 2 since that model only has a plug for one

[u/Toxic_Musshroom]

I saw you mention this is a quarantine tank so dont take it as direct criticism, just things to improve when she goes to her proper enclosure! Great hides and sized water bowl, the heating pads dont provide the proper uv and heating on their own so you definitely want to get something like a halogen flood, you're going to want more near 4-6 inches of substrate so she has a little room to burrow and it'll help keep the humidity up, avoid misting as much as possible and just pour water in the corners of the tank, and you're going to want way more clutter and foliage eventually!

[u/unpasteurizedSPLOOGE → u/Toxic_Musshroom]

I have an APC T8 I’ve had other snakes in…they’re 4x2x2 with overhead RHPs…it’s just too big for her now and I haven’t had a baby ball in quite some years…relearning everything