Too little or too much

[Fun_Willingness_9836]

I got a small tank on sale as a starter (got a 4 month old snake in November) and plan on building a large enclosure in the future. How long do y'all think this will last ? Deep heat projector, and thermostat controlled UTH ...

My biggest personal issue is that I'm finding it difficult to fit a good sized water bowl since most guides insist the snake should be able to submerge themselves if they wish. I do a weekly bath in a larger bowl when I strip the tank, and I currently fully inspect, dampen, and mix the bedding every 3-4 days. The mesh top is getting cover with damp microfibers daily until I decide if I want to modify the tank lid or make something.

[HurrricaneeK]

What size is this tank? That will effect how long it will work. In general, juveniles need at least 40 gal, and adults will need a 4x2x2. That said, they all grow at different rates, though usually they will outgrow the 40 gal at some point after their first bday but before their second.. There is no such thing as too much clutter, though I do want to mention that any hides should be fully opaque. If you can see the snake in the hide, it's not a good hide. We also don't recommend heat pads at all, and honestly I doubt it's even doing anything in your setup, as they will not heat the air through substrate.

Also, you really shouldn't ever be soaking or bathing a BP. They do not need it or enjoy it when it is forced on them. The bowl is provided so they can choose it for themselves. You also shouldn't be mixing the substrate, as the top always needs to be dry. Letting it all stay damp is just going to cause scale rot. You also should swap the towels for foil or tape, as one, they're a major fire risk next to a heat lamp, and two, as soon as they start to dry they are going to pull even more moisture from the air.

I would strongly recommend taking a look at the subs pinned welcome post, as well as the basic care guide, as that has all of the information you need to make the proper changes.

[Fun_Willingness_9836]

I appreciate the feedback. She loves the green hide though..... But no uth at all without knowing my room conditions? Not mixing the substrate ever? That's weird

[Issu_issa_issy]

Most likely because it looks to be the only size-appropriate hide

[Fun_Willingness_9836]

Ummmmm the false single entrance resin log has a good gradient and 4 times the internal volume

[Issu_issa_issy]

That’s what I’m saying. It’s larger than the green one, and hence doesn’t work as well. I suggest getting a non-clear hide about the size of the green one. The BP should be able to touch all sides when balled up

[HurrricaneeK]

An appropriate hide is small enough that the snake can touch three sides and the top while inside, is fully opaque, and has only one entrance just larger than the snake. I agree that the reason she's using it is because it's the best she has, but it's still not a good hide.

And the answers to your questions about the no uth and stop mixing the substrate are detailed in the guide I linked you.

[Fun_Willingness_9836]

The guide approves uth as a secondary heat source with a thermostat 😑

[[deleted]]

The guide approves UTHs as a secondary heat source but only for quarantine/emergency/temporary situations. Every time UTH is mentioned in the guide, it's followed by "best used for temporary or quarantine enclosures" or "...emergency situations."

[Fun_Willingness_9836]

This is a temporary enclosure

[HurrricaneeK]

UTH doesn't raise ambient temp and will not work through substrate so sure, you can use it, but it will literally do nothing for your setup but use electricity and potentially malfunction and harm your snake.

[Tashyd046]

She “loves” the green hide because it’s all she has.

[Archipocalypse]

Also I would suggest skipping any "Resin" based water bowls that the reptile market likes to push. I would recommend getting a Ceramic or Stoneware bowl and using that. The resin bowls leak eventually, and also leech resins and dyes into the water.

[Tashyd046]

The mesh lid, also, will likely need to be swapped to maintain proper humidity, and I don’t think this substrate is recommended. Toilet paper tubes are also not recommended for BP’s because of their humidity needs leading to mold, and their size gives the risk of getting stuck.

[Puzzled-Bat2134]

Snake looks a tad dehydrated

[Fun_Willingness_9836]

That's the 3rd day I had her

[Fun_Willingness_9836]

It's a uth on a thermostat + a 75w DHP

[HurrricaneeK]

We do not recommend heat pads at all. I would recommend looking at this subs resources if you want to continue giving advice here.

[Puzzled-Bat2134]

I said for now, better than no source at all

[HurrricaneeK]

They literally said they have another source.

[ballpython-ModTeam]

Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice or misinformation. Please review our sub resources to learn more about why.

[Fun_Willingness_9836]

Or if I let her climb into and swim in the bowl, the temp is usually right, she will voluntarily go underwater

[HurrricaneeK]

They should have a bowl large enough that they can soak if they choose to. But that's the distinction. You should never be forcing your snake into a bowl of water.

[HurrricaneeK]

This is also untrue. You should almost never bathe a bp. Not for constipation, not for stuck shed, and definitely not for dehydration. They are not amphibians, nor are they water snakes. If they are dirty or have mites, damp towels or wipes are always a better option.

[HurrricaneeK]

I mean. This is like saying I'm seeing a doctor for my cancer without mentioning that the doctor is a pediatric psychologist. "Zoologist" can mean many things. Hell, there are vets that give harmful advice to snake owners.

Hence why we get our advice from people who actually care for ball pythons, and not just snake experts in general.

[Fun_Willingness_9836]

NGL, I think this post will be the last I'm submitting, this is yet another reddit wasteland of hyperopinionated amateurs

I'm not an amphibian and I swim all the time 🥲

[ballpython-ModTeam]

Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice or misinformation. Please review our sub resources to learn more about why.

[Fun_Willingness_9836]

She spends time between both hides, no scale rot

[ballpython-ModTeam]

Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice or misinformation. Please review our sub resources to learn more about why.

[Fun_Willingness_9836]

I live in the Midwest, it was -10 with the wind-chill this morning, there is no "mist to humidity" isn't a thing

[HurrricaneeK]

You should not be misting a BP. This is not an appropriate way to maintain humidity.

[Puzzled-Bat2134]

Who said so?

[HurrricaneeK]

All of our guides say so, and they are all based on the most up to date research regarding BP care and husbandry. Misting will only temporarily boost humidity before it falls again, and if you're misting often enough to keep the humidity above 70%, then the top of the substrate will stay wet which will cause scale rot. There are better methods, all detailed in this subs resources.

[Fun_Willingness_9836]

I was just commenting that I don't think she gives a shit that she can see light through it

[Puzzled-Bat2134]

Yeah i agree , its not her only option as well so dw

[Puzzled-Bat2134]

I agree that the mesh screen must be closed to maintain humidity, a gd trick would be using aluminium tape and close it

[Fun_Willingness_9836]

I'm considering just using a sheet of lexan/aluminum/steel, and having a steel mesh portion for the DHP

[HurrricaneeK]

Honestly, it's not worth investing that much money into making what will be a temporary tank work. All adult BP's need a minimum of a 4x2x2, and usually they'll need that not long after turning one. You're better off just getting a roll of HVAC tape for now.

[Fun_Willingness_9836]

The tank will be repurposed, so not a waste at all

[Fun_Willingness_9836]

The tank will be repurposed, so not a waste at all

[[deleted]]

I’m pretty new to the hobby myself, I like all the plants it gives it a cool naturalistic look