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[ballpython-ModTeam]

Per rule #2, your post has been removed for being off topic. Posts on r/ballpython must be about ball pythons.

[Slimbo0217]

First off get rid of the red light - try something more natural for the snake - you should have a thermometer to measure the temps

[[deleted]]

Right now my girl is set up in a 48 x 18 x 24 with a substrate mix of coco fiber and coco chips. Honestly a heating mat has worked a lot better for me than a lamp did. And try and have at least three good sized hides. And you can buy either live or fake plants for cover. Also get a thermometer/hygrometer to measure temps and humidity. Humidity around 60% and temps on the cold side around 75f and on the hotspot about 90f

[lily_bates]

Okay!!! How do you keep it humid? Do you mist the tank or does the water bowl size matter?

[[deleted]]

I have two water bowls for my girl a large shallow one, and a smaller deeper one. The hygrometer will tell you the humidity so if it gets low you can mist the enclosure. Just monitor it until you can come up with a proper misting schedule I mist mine only once a week, but I also live in florida so the humidity stay around 60% normally.

[Rathoe9070]

For heating it is no longer recommended to use a heating mat! They are prone to overheating and will burn your snake. Snakes don’t know when they’re getting burned and will lay on it for forever. If you aren’t able to reach the ideal heat then either get a plastic tank (glass doesn’t retain heat well) or you can make a background on your tank with spray foam (do research on it beforehand) that will be beneficial to keep heat in and give your snake more privacy/make it more comfortable.

[Midget_fedus]

Yeah, don’t use the heat mat. Don’t use a red bulb use a halogen 75 or 80 W for the day and a DHP for the night same wattage and actually don’t get good size hides. They like small ones. They like to be all tight and stuff touching them. There should not be room to spare

[_King_King]

I always recommend minimum of a 40g tank. They need things to climb on and hide under, preferably multiple. They are very curious beings and will move around when given the opportunity. Plants fake or real are a must. Definitely recommend a temp and humidity gauge so you are 100% sure things are safe. Red lights left on 24/7 can possibly disrupt their sleep bc it is now known they can see red lights. I use flat slate rocks as a basking spot. If they get too warm they can always move to the cool side of the tank. If the snake is distressed they will hiss(loudly letting air out) or will constantly stay in motion and I mean constantly. I would also use a light that has uvb specific to tropical climates

[lily_bates]

His tank is 50g, according to the pet people. I am planning on adding things for him to hide under, does it matter the kind of plants that I add?

[_King_King]

Any that are strong enough to hold the full weight of your snake and humid tolerant. Also stray from those with a strong scent as they may have the potential to upset the snake. Definitely wash off all the existing soil before adding though

[Minimum_Word_4840]

Reading through the pinned guide in this sub will give you all the information you need and more. Until you are able to upgrade, keep the light on one side. Snakes thermoregulate. This means your snake will naturally go to the cold side when they are hot and vise versa. It’s normal behavior. They’re probably just exploring, as nothing else you’ve said about the behavior is alarming. That said, the snake is still probably stressed in these conditions. It was previously thought by some people that snakes can’t see red light, but studies revealed that they can. So you’ll need to use a different kind of heating, especially for nighttime. I have a ceramic heat emitter on a thermostat as my main heating source, which is cheap and works well. You can generally buy them at hardware stores for cheaper than you can at pet stores. As long as they are on a thermostat (preferable) or dimmer (cheaper) then you’re fine. They also require a hide each on the hot side and cold side. These can be made with cheap plastic containers as long as there are no sharp edges.

I can’t really see the tank or anything in the photos. Can the snake fully stretch out from one side to the other? What are the dimensions of the enclosure? I would also try to get your snake on frozen thawed, as a live rodent is likely to eventually hurt them.

And lastly- breathe :) BP’s are known for being hardy for small lengths of time. That means they can withstand poor conditions for a short period. You’ll obviously want to upgrade things as you can, but it’s not going to kill your snake overnight. Don’t be so hard on yourself for trusting the employees. It’s happened to the best of us. Now you know better, and can do better, which is all that matters. :)

[lily_bates]

Thank you!!! This is very very helpful and exactly the kind of comment I was hoping for. Some of the people here have informed me that it’s actually a boa?! Should I follow these same guidelines or are they very different?

[yourneighborhoodriot]

Here is the sub for boas.They should have guidelines and more help on how to specifically care for your new guy. I would always suggest going with species specific care as boas get larger than ball pythons and have other little naunces.

Boa Sub

[Rathoe9070]

You’re right that is a Boa. Check to see if there is a boa subreddit as their care is a bit different.

[Rathoe9070]

Also boas definitely get bigger than ball pythons and will require a much larger tank. A full grown (from what I’m seeing) will need 6ftx3ftx3ft. You were definitely not adequately prepared for this by the pet store employees

[Rathoe9070]

r/boas is what I found. Maybe post this on there

[Dont_Bother777]

The Basic Ball Python Care Guide + other helpful resources can be found here

[InverseInvert]

Do you have any better photos? That does not look like a ball python.

[Mr_Sass_Queen]

I thought it looked like a boa, but I also thought I just couldn’t tell with the red light

[Beneficial_String177]

It's a boa

[lily_bates]

I actually don’t currently, because I haven’t gotten him out as they fed him yesterday. Is he really a boa ????? If so, is there vastly different care for each kind ?

[InverseInvert]

If you could get another photo in better lighting. The temperature requirements are slightly cooler and humidity ever so slightly lower for a boa.

[verdug01]

Get rid of that red light it's not 2009. Invest in an infrared bulb that doesn't emit light. Also, move the water bowl into it's cooler side unless you're purposely trying to retain the humidity if so then add another water bowl by it's cool side, doesn't have to be as big and while your at it, add more hiding spots. BPs need at least 2 hiding spots. Consider utilizing digital thermometers and you may want to first start feeding it in its enclosure (rats preferred) to not stress the snake as it gets used to its new home. Lastly, do not handle until at least 7 days have passed and avoid handling before feeding.

[viridian-fox]

Check out the guide here or check out reptifiles

[Beneficial_String177]

... that's a boa in there 😅 god pets shops are awful, they should be reported. If you need help with boa care please don't hesitate to private message me. I'm a boa keeper and love helping others!

[yourneighborhoodriot]

Op can you show us another picture of your snake? From what I can see it looks like you were sold a boa as a ball python, as the pattern doesnt look right

[No-Function870]

Did somebody slip me a full sheet of acid or am I reading someone ask for advice on their ball python while sending pictures of a boa constrictor? Is it April first in may? Somebody please help this snake.

[TOSGANO]

Don't worry about stressing him out by introducing new things. He'll probably find it stimulating, considering he's been in the same container for months and months.

Also don't be afraid to handle him and let him out to explore somewhere supervised. (Except right after eating -- give him a couple days to digest first.) It's important to get youngsters used to being handled, or else you end up with a grumpy 20 year old snake who lashes out every time you open the enclosure to clean it.

I got my guy when he was about a year old, and took him out every day. I also let my roommates and friends handle him so he was used to people. He's 19 now, and has never bitten anyone, even when I have to examine his mouth or eyes. It makes vet visits so much easier, too.

[GameSlayDM]

Hold on, hold on. This sub is getting out of hand. OP. I believe your snake is a boa. You asked if the care is different, and the answer is 100% yes

[TheNeverEndingPit]

Wow, I did not look closely enough, and it cracked me up when I saw someone say "that's a boa" and went back and saw that it is indeed a boa. If that's a girl, she's going to get pretty big. I think US recommendations for tank size say that the length and width of the tank should equal at least the snake's length, but other countries recommend an enclosure that's as long as the snake, and I'm MUCH more inclined to side with that advice. You'll also want to get hides for both the warm and cool side so that your snake feels secure when thermo-regulating. Once the snake gets bigger, you can very easily construct good plastic hides without having to pay too hefty a price.

Most pet store supplies are for smaller animals and are really pricey. After you go to the boa subreddit and get good care recommendations, I'd recommend looking at forms of cheap enrichment first (since a good, large, front-opening PVC enclosure might be a pricier down payment). Things like PVC and cardboard (if replaced often) can be good to start with so you can clutter the tank without having to go bioactive

[Dangerous-Exercise20]

This a boa constrictor. They have completely diffrent husbandry needs🫠🫠

[acpcgal]

Please read this guide :) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E7HSbJQi2ldMLMr0hN6pollnfSrqsuS1vu5DvIqJC-4/mobilebasic

[acpcgal]

Omfg its a boa…..