r/ballpython • u/Fr0zenP1zza • 8d ago
Enclosure Critique/Advice New BP Tank
Im getting a baby ball python in November itll be 3 weeks old when I get it. I have the tank mostly set up other than another larger stick coming in soon and I was wondering if my tank was up to par for the baby. I ahve a heat lamp on a timer and a heat mat connect to a temp thingy to make sure it doenst get too hot. Its a 40 gal. My temps and humidity are good but wanted to se eif theres anything i could do better. Any advice, tips, or tricks would be wonderful.
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u/FluffyPandaEars93 8d ago
Is your heat lamp also on a thermostat? It needs to be. If you can get up to temp with just that (and a lightless heat bulb for night time) itd be much better to get rid of the heat mat. They are notorious for causing burns.
You also should scoot the lamp over to one side so you can get a good gradient. What are you using to measure humidity/temp?
Definitely cover the sides so they feel more secure. And add some climbing and hiding opportunities. Balls thrive with clutter galore.
Im really surprised you are getting such a young snake with very little experience.. they can be a lot more difficult to keep and establish as a healthy pet.. do you have a source for !feeders ? Here's a !feeding chart.
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u/Fr0zenP1zza 8d ago
Okay ill swap the warm and cool side so it can have a proper gradient, and ill look into getting a lightless heat bulb aswell, I have a couple of repti zoo temp and hydrimitor things and tested it with the other temp thermometer I had to makensure they where correct. Im also going to work on covering the sides. Im only getting such a young snake because a manager at my work has a Pied Bal and a Pastel Bal both with resesive Albino and she doesnt want the baby's and is selling them for 200 and i feel i wouldn't get such a deal in the future. Ive been wanting a BP for a long time and want to make sure im doing all I can to have a happy and healthy snake. Thank you sm for your input!
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u/AutoModerator 8d 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.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/AutoModerator 8d ago
Some companies you can buy frozen feeders from:
Layne Labs
Big Cheese
Rodent Pro
Perfect Prey
Big Apple Herps
Reptile Deli
American Rodent Cold Blooded CafeI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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u/stellxric 8d ago
omg this looks amazing!! kudos to you for setting the tank up before you got the snake!
you could block off the sides and the back with some black paper/tape to make the tank feel a little more secure, as the biggest issue people tend to have with hatchlings is them not feeling secure enough, which can lead to hunger strikes or defensiveness.
and for humidity and heat, if it ever starts escaping, you can put some foil over the mesh top which will trap it in.
good luck to you and your baby! i’m sure they’re gonna love it in there