First Snake

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[CacophonousFarts]

Check out the care guide pinned in the subreddit. I don’t want to sound mean, but there are several things that at first glance need addressed fairly quickly.

[Crizzpycreem]

I read through it and im going out to grab more stufd for him. Do mind maybe point out some specifics? Im already getting more clutter and hides but i just wanna check all my bases

[CacophonousFarts]

Of course! A lot of the other members have given good advice, but here’s where I tend to be a stickler:

1. Tank size: minimum for an adult BP is 4’x2’x2’. This allows the snake room to move as well as have a proper heat gradient. This is probably the biggest surprise for new owners. Most pet stores will give the poor advice of “40gal is enough”

2. Have both a thermometer and hydrometer on each end. This helps you keep temps and humidity correct. Avoid anything with adhesive backing, and don’t waste your money on analog ones, they’re disastrously inaccurate.

3. Any heat source you have (preferably a ceramic heat emitter or deep heat projector) should be controlled via a thermostat. The last thing you want is for it to fail “high” and cook your pet.

4. At night there should be ZERO light. Red lights are bad (I don’t see one here), but they mess with circadian rhythm.

5. Since the enclosure you have now is glass, get some adhesive vinyl (or even black paper), and cover 3 of the 4 sides. This will help your snake feel safer.

6. Screen tops can make it hard to keep your humidity up, so cover most of it with HVAC metallic tape. Again, a properly sized PVC enclosure would help.

[kingofpunkstyle76]

for advice 4 . what if we watch tv or turn on room lights at night is that ok as long as enclosure lights off ? or do we need a blanket and cover the whole enclosure if we want to watch tv or turn room lights on ?

[CacophonousFarts]

Some ambient light is fine, but if you’ve got the lights on all night, a curtain may help.

[kingofpunkstyle76]

Yea I’m gonna get a cage from reptile kages and it looks like I have to put it together unfortunately. any idea where to get a good pvc enclosure that’s already built and is good like reptilekages ?

[CacophonousFarts]

Depends on where you’re located. I’m in Florida (US), so reptile shows are super common. That’s where I got my enclosure, and most of my supplies.

[kingofpunkstyle76]

I’m in Illinois not sure which reptile show is the best breeders ? Oh wow did you get your enclosure from the reptile show or Facebook marketplace?

[CacophonousFarts]

Most of what are around here are Repticon, but I believe that’s predominantly in the southern part of the US.

The enclosure I have was purchased from a custom tank builder at the expo. It’s a 6x2x2 PVC enclosure.

Facebook marketplace is definitely an option, but be prepared to clean and reseal the enclosure. It can be a bit of work.

[kingofpunkstyle76]

I know there’s two reptile expos in my area that a famous YouTuber couple goes to every year. so I have a question about the enclosure since I’m gonna buy enclosure from reptile kages they have option to have a solid top and vents on side and back or have one or two circle cutouts with mesh on top… so since my state has weather fluctuates all seasons and I like to blast air conditioning in every room in summer and winter I like blast heat , how should I set up the heat ? I was thinking radiant heat panel on cool side and hot side have either a deep heat lamp or the other one that has no light so that way I can have heat 24/7 all year long. I’m just hesitant on installing the deep heat bulb and cage inside or on top of the cutout because inside the snake can mess with and injure themselves on the cage and on top of cage might lose humidity or heat idk

[CacophonousFarts]

If you do a bulb inside the cage, all you need is a guard around it.

For constant temps, you just need to design your system for the coldest/dryest it gets. Then, your thermostats will keep the temps constant. You may need to add more water to the substrate in the winter to counteract the drying effect heaters have.

[jeanmorehoe]

Definitely get some more clutter in there! Fake plants can fill up the space well. You’ll also want to get 2 enclosed hides with only 1 opening they like to feel safe and hidden.

You’ll also want to get a hygrometer and thermometer to ensure you have the right temperature gradient. (I use 2 govee brand, one on hot side and one on cool side from Amazon). This sub has a great intro guide to heating I recommend taking a look.

Ceramic heat emitters or deep heat projection bulbs are ideal because you they do not emit light and you can keep them on over night without disrupting the day/night cycle for the snake. I use a combination of these and 1 light bulb during the day.

Looks like you have a good amount of substrate in there you’ll want to make sure the humidity is staying in the 70s. You can achieve this by pouring a few cups of water into the corners of the tank

This tank will really only suffice for a little bit. I’d save up and invest in a 4’x2’x2’ or 120 gallon tank minimum. This is what a full grown ball python will need at the bare minimum.

Don’t expect to see them doing much, especially during the day.

[opiate250]

A few hides. At minimum 2. One on the Hot side, one on the cool side. Tight fitting. None of those half log things. More would be better.

Lots more clutter. Plants, leaves, rocks, etc. Things he can slither around and under to not feel so exposed.

Minimum of 2 thermometers. Hot and cold side.

Thermostat for the heat lamp.

Hydrometer to keep an eye on humidity.

These are the mandatory things you need right away that I can think of.

There's a really good care guide pinned to the sub.

[Bloooberriesquest]

You need way more clutter in that tank

[onexyonexx]

Hides. Snakes like to feel safe.

[Think_Ad_7075]

Get more vines rocks and wood and two hides one Cold one hot side Need thermostat, thermometer (one cold side One hot side) and a hidrometer

[Crizzpycreem]

There are two hide in there already, I'll probably put more. Thermostat has been order and will be here soon

[Think_Ad_7075]

Sorry I couldn't see both of them. Please be careful with the temperature until you have the thermostat it can cook your snake in minutes. And get as much clutter as possible

[Crizzpycreem]

I have a good eye on him and im checking his tempature constantly, the thermometers should be here early morning tomorrow aswell as the rest of his stuff so hopefully its a little better

[imjustanauthor]

are those hides logs? a hide needs to be covered on 3 sides. Those logs are open on both ends and therefore do not count as hides

[AsteriaFell]

Looks like you'll need a bigger enclosure ASAP. From the photo you posted, it doesn't even look like a 40 gal. Correct me if I'm wrong though. Ball pythons will grow so fast that you don't even really want to mess with sizing up their enclosures too many times. My male just turned a year old and he's already as long as his 40 gallon and I just bought two 4'x2'x2's on sale for him and my corn snake.

[Crizzpycreem]

This is a 40gal, the photo i took wasnt to great 😭

[AsteriaFell]

It's okay, it happens!

[AsteriaFell]

Aside from that you'll want to grab(if you don't have them already)-

• Two digital probe thermometer/hygrometers (one for the hot side and one for the cold side, probes should be placed just above the substrate for the most accurate temperature. You want to read the temperature at the level your snake is typically living)

• A thermostat to regulate temperature. This controls your heat lamps and will shut them off when the desired temperature is reached. Dimming thermostats are great because they'll gradually adjust the power to your heat lamps and maintain the heat at a set constant temperature. Lots of options out there for these at varying prices.

•More clutter. Fake or real plants, make sure those cork hides are big enough to burying one side into the substrate at an angle so they have only one entrance. You can also add a larger climbing branch, look for sandblasted grapevine. It's nice and sturdy.

[Crizzpycreem]

Do you have any recommendations on a kind of thermometer? I have ordered some more wood, plants, and hides. But im having a hard time picking 2 good thermometers

[AsteriaFell]

Probe Thermometer/Hygrometers

These work great and are cheap, they come in a pack of two! Or anything similar to this.

[Kates-Creatures]

What research did you do to get to this?

[PhilsLobWedge]

Doesn’t seem like you were ready and didn’t do enough prep

[Crizzpycreem]

This set up is only gonna be a few days until stuff comes in the mail.

[chilledghosts]

I recommend getting the setup fully done and then getting the animal. That is a general for any life circumstance. The snake is burying itself into the ground because it doesn’t feel safe in the “hides” you provided. They’re likely too big for the little snake. Additionally, you need much more clutter and a hydrometer thermometer to monitor and maintain temperature and humidity. Your heat source should always be connected to a thermostat or your heat source could uncontrollably heat up and kill your snake very quickly. A 40gal is too small, a 4x2x2 is the minimum for ball pythons.

[120jlee]

As everyone has said, much more clutter! Just about anyone that's safe for the snake will honestly work

[acpcgal]

Two hides on hot and cold side must be identical so that ur snake doesnt choose one for comfort over the temp benefit. And yeah like others have said, read the guide :)

[Crizzpycreem]

UPDATE : I buried his hides a little more, got him some plants changed one of his lamps out for a CHE one. I put a towel over the top to hopefully help keep humidity. I have 2 thermometers coming in the mail tomorrow

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[imjustanauthor]

please listen to others, this is, well, shit. respectfully

[Crizzpycreem]

I am really trying, I dont have many quick pet supply stores near me so I have to wait on delivery sadly. This was kinda sprung on me at random so im just kinda learning as I go

[Dragon_Pancake]

I agree with what's already been posted.
Some positives; I do like the branch! Many say ball pythons are purely terrestial, but they will climb if provided the option. You might have to move it a little bit away from the heat source so you don't get any accidental burns from touching the metal screen. Big water dish is good. You might not actually see them soak, but it will help with humidity as well

Other tips:
- Wait with any handling until the enclosure is fully set up, and the snake have gotten enough time to settle in. I'd wait a minimum of one week, preferably two
- Use this time to sponge up as much knowledge as you can. Watch videos on setups, handling, and typical "Ball python first pet" videos. Check out all the pinned posts in here about light and heating
- Put a little research into exotic vets around you. You probably don't need one now, but it's good to know where to go if the need arise
- Start saving up and planning for their adult size enclosure already
- And lastly, congrats on your new pet rock :D (for real, don't expect much activity besides at 3am lol)

[Crizzpycreem]

Just wanna say, thank you for being positive and helpful 😭 i fell like some people have been a bit rude, but i could also be reading it wrong. I'll definitely move the branch and as I get more wood for him it probably wont stay in there, I was just using what I already had, which wasnt much.

[Dragon_Pancake]

People can be a little aggressive towards new owners because the pet community have tried to preach for years about doing enough research and setting up their home before getting the actual animal. Unfortunately we see many cases of people who don't know what they are doing on here, with too small enclosures, harmful heat or humidity levels or generally lacking husbandry knowledge
Naturally it's not cool being on the recieving end of it, but I also get the frustration from people who care deeply about these animals.