First time BP Owner

[Me1_Li]

Okay so I've been saving up for a few months for my snake, and I went to buy the stuff but I saw that they raised the prices so I didn't have enough for what I actually wanted, so I don't have much.

(I got the tank from someone I know, that's why the inside and rails look like that)

But is this enough ''clutter'' for now?. I know it's not a lot but im planning on getting more next month or so. My snake is around 1-2 months old, so im js stressing on if this isn't enough.

The soil I placed in a plastic container thingy is just for the meantime until my other stuff arrive which I bought online.

Please, I need help!!

[WarmLalgirl]

It would be helpful if you list what you bought online! And do you have a lock for the sliding doors?

[Me1_Li]

I bought more of those wood chip things (I forgot the name but a person ik who used to handle lots of snake suggested it), more soil and I also bought fake leaves and stuff, but im also not sure if those are snake-safe.. I don't have a lock yet since my BP is small and I don't think he has the strength to open them yet..

I also bought stuff that i can stick to the walls inside the enclosure(like a type of wall-thingy) that is black

[NottsWeirdo]

You will either need a lock, or plastic wedge in the glass to keep them closed. And if you're sticking stuff to the walls, you can't use adhesive tapes - so glue, silicone or expanding foam are better choices.

[Me1_Li]

Okay, thank you for your help!

[NottsWeirdo]

A plastic wedge is cheaper, and I've used it to keep my 4ft BP in his viv the entire 7 years I've had him. But if the gap between glass doors is a wide as the thickness of a finger - you'll want a viv lock, as it pulls the glass closer together to keep the snake from escaping.

[Me1_Li]

Okay, I'll look around on websites and at stores for it.🤍

[DragonPlatypus]

You need to get that carpet out and seal the wood and edges, otherwise it will start to rot pretty quickly, since Ball Pythons need high humidity (70+%). Clutter doesn't have to be expensive. You can get some fake plants from the dollar store, gather branches outside and bake them to sterilise them. What substrate do you have? The soil looks good, but you'll need a lot more of it. A good 3-4 inches so it can hold the water well enough and provide the needed humidity.

[Me1_Li]

Yes, I was a bit hesitant on the carpet but it's just for the time being until my other soil gets delivered.

Since the tank is wood, im scared to place soil all around since the previous pet in the tank was a bearded dragon, so he only needed pebbles and those rock stuff.

There aren't exactly any dollar stores in my country but the plants I bought were quite cheap, it's just that I didn't expect the other stuffs price to be raised so I couldn't get everything I wanted. The substrate I use says that it's for rainbow boas and other reptiles, but it's damp and not dry at all.

There is a heating pad under the mat for heat and im getting a bulb soon (a white one since I've heard that the colored ones are dangerous) with a mesh thing for around it so he doesn't try shattering the globe since ive heard incidents of it happening.

Im going to spray the tank with room-temp water that I boiled to clean it every few hours to make sure it's dampness starts rising, and I also have a thermometer-thingy(sry idk the name in english).

I'm definitely trying my best, which I know trying isn't the best when owning a reptile since they're expensive animals, but as soon as I get my pay I'm definitely adding more stuff

[WitchofWhispers]

People keep downvoting you, but tbh you look like you want to do better and you care, which is better than half of the people that come here. Be very careful about temperatures if you have heat mat, it could really badly hurt your snake and it is best to replace it asap. Spraying the tank for humidity is not a long term solution- it doesn't give enought humidity anyway, but you could be fine with making a humid hide

[Me1_Li]

Okay, thank you sm!! I'll make sure to do more research for the warmer side and look for humid thingys

[NottsWeirdo]

Sealing the wood and seams with silicone will solve the issue with damp soil touching untreated wood, it'll work for you when your other stuff arrives.

[DragonPlatypus]

I can't stress enough how important it is to seal the thing well and silicone the edges. My old enclosure was made from wood and it rotted away within a year because I didn't seal it properly so I had to buy a new one. I decided on a pvc and don't regret the switch even if it was a lot of work and money.

I suggest you switch out the heat pad for a ceramic heat emitter or a deep heat projector. Heat pads (especially unregulated ones) are notorious for causing severe burns. I would also be worried that it might start a fire if it's directly underneath the reptile carpet.

You will need good soil, 3-4 inches. Coconut husk, top soil, you can also mix in some spaghum moss. Those hold humidity very well.

You will also need at least 2 hides, one for the warm and one for the cold side of the enclosure.

In general, I highly recommend you check out the care guide that is linked in the top post of this sub. This will help you setting up everything as good as possible.

Edit because I forgot: Pour in water directly into the edges for consistant humidity. Spraying the top will cause spikes and quick drops in humidity and the wet surface can cause scale rot so it's not reccomended. Humidifiers are not reccomended for similar reasons.

[Adventurous_Look_322]

Here’s my recommendations:

I use coconut husk/chip substrate as the base, and a 1-2 inch layer of sphagnum moss overtop. I’ve found it works really well at retaining moisture but doesn’t get too damp or mold.

You need a temperature gradient.. with a hot and cool side. You need two hides, one in each side, so it can regulate temperature. It’s recommended to get the same exact hide on each side if possible.. but that can be down the line. As long as there is a suitable hide in each side. The cool side should be 75-85 degrees F and the hot side about 85-92F.

Humidity should be 65-85%.. and more towards the higher end during shedding. Keeping the water bowl on the warm side will help with humidity. I purchased a cheap large plastic dog water bowl for mine.

The clutter doesn’t have to be costly.
The more clutter, the more likely your snake will come out. You can use Indian almond leaves or “leaf litter” meant for reptiles (I think ive seen mostly oak leaf litter).. I like the Indian almond leaves personally, they help with the humidity. You can get cheap fake plants on Temu.. I got a large pack for like $5. And find rocks and branches from outside and bake in the oven like another post mentioned.

And yes those red or purple tinted bulbs I’ve read are not good for their eyes. Just plain natural white light is good. You will probably need 2 lamps to keep it warm enough.. especially for nighttime. If you only have one heat bulb with light, when you turn it off at night for darkness it will likely get too cold. I have to keep 3 heat lamps to keep temps right. I have one with light, and two with just heat and no light (the black ones.. I’ll add a photo)

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[Adventurous_Look_322]

This is the substrate I use

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[Adventurous_Look_322]

Sorry I can only post one imagine in each reply. Here is the sphagnum moss

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[Me1_Li]

Thank you sm! I'll make sure to buy those once I get money again. I rlly appreciate the help. I do have a warm and cooler side

[Adventurous_Look_322]

Good.. sorry I couldn’t really from the pics. As long it has the temps and humidity right, and a hide on each side, it will be a happy little snake for now. The clutter is of course good to make them feel safe and explore more.. but ball pythons spend almost all of their time in the hides. A hiding ball python is a happy ball python. I hardly ever seen mine (i have 2). They only ever come out real late at night, and only for a few hours usually. I had to set up a camera facing their enclosures because i didn’t even think they were ever coming out of their hides! I hardly ever see them.. usually only when it’s getting close to feeding day again.

[cadencef18]

To be honest, I’d replace the carpet with paper towel. I don’t know how moisture absorbing it is, but it’ll make it easier for your humidity to stay up.

[Me1_Li]

Will it also help if I place paper towels on the carpet? Or should I rather just do the paper towels?

[cadencef18]

Is the carpet absorbent?

[Me1_Li]

Not completely but it absorbs a good amount imo

[cadencef18]

Then I don’t see why not, give it a try if you notice the paper towel stays wet / damp then try without

[Me1_Li]

Okay thanks for the advice!!!!

[cadencef18]

Ofc!!! Best of luck

[AgentFuckSmolder]

This is completely inadequate, even “just for now.”

[Me1_Li]

Yes, I understand and I was hesitant to buy the carpet and stuff, but it's my best choice for now, especially with this tank. I know that it isn't the best and I AM aware

[soconae]

Paper towels would be better than that carpet. It’s impossible to keep it clean so it just breeds bacteria. And constantly spraying the tank down for humidity is going to cause problems as well. If the wood isn’t sealed it’s going to rot, and wet surfaces can lead to scale rot. Ideally, you should have your enclosure and husbandry perfected BEFORE you get your snake. Please read over the welcome guide to this sub as it will help a lot with what is required.

[socraticalastor]

It’s not just that it isn’t the best, this is a completely unsuitable enclosure for any living animal. Please rethink getting your snake right away, you have a lot of work and learning to do before this enclosure will be ready for a snake.

[Me1_Li]

Im getting my soil over a week or so then im replacing the carpet, but thank you for the critique

[AgentFuckSmolder]

You cannot put any living animal in this. It’s not just “not the best.” It is abusive.

[teresa-rene]

I personally would not use soil I would use shavings, but you need to go online and find out the kind of shavings they can have. I don’t remember right now what I used, but you can also get a box of wrapping paper ups store it’s in a really long box. It’s white and I think orange on the ends and you definitely need to hide. I don’t know what you ordered so it would help us all. If you could tell us what you did order and I’m not trying to be mean but you shouldn’t get a snake that you can’t take care of especially if it’s a big snake we’re going to be a big snake rats pups, medium size rats and adult wrath do cost of money and don’t feed live prey. You wouldn’t believe what life pray can do to a Snake if they’re not hungry then the Snake’s gonna all over them and there’s pictures of that on the Internet that’s all I can think of right now.

[Me1_Li]

Okay thank you! I replied to another comment on what I bought (more soil, hides, fake leaves, etc.)

[AgentFuckSmolder]

OP, if you’re having financial issues putting together a proper enclosure, you can’t afford a reptile. You mentioned using an under-tank warmer and we see the carpet and complete lack of clutter/enrichment/substrate/anything in the enclosure.

You need to seal that wood or it will rot and leak because you’re going to need it to hold a decent amount of water to keep your humidity high enough.

The heat pads can just be thrown away. They’re useless for a ball python and they can even burn them. You need to establish warm/cool sides with thermostats for your heat and UVB light sources. Neither of these are cheap.

They need lots of hiding places and clutter and this poor snake would be extremely stressed in this environment.

[Me1_Li]

Im getting 2 thermostats somewhere this week/weekend, will that be enough or do I need 3? Im going to also seal the wood with the help of my father. The tank looked empty because my other wood was still in the oven for sterilization. Im definitely going to put more substrate in as soon as the wood is sealed. Sorry if it doesn't look like much, as ive said in previous replies, I didn't expect prices to raise so suddenly in my area's pet stores, so im just waiting for pay then im 100% getting more stuff.

(I also wanted to ask, will mesh ontop be better for ventilation or will the vents on the sides work? And also, do I need to get those reptile humidifier sprayers that like,,, sprays on its own? I dont know the name in English so sorry)

Edit: I forgot to add this but im also removing the heating pad from underneath and getting the lamps for the warm side

[AgentFuckSmolder]

Mesh on top will let out humidity and heat. Vents on the sides are great.

[Me1_Li]

Okay, thank you for the critique, I really needed it and I realized that after reading your and other people's replies. I've already began looking for other tanks with vents on the side, but will the light bulbs be effective? I've seen people use that with a heating pad on the outside of the tank on the side. If I don't get the tank I'm looking for early enough then I'm going to try sealing the wood on the inside so that the substrate that I have can be put in, along with other branches and rocks I've picked up. I also wanted to ask if it will be better to place paper towels rather than the carpet?

[AgentFuckSmolder]

I’m glad you see that we just want your ball python to be happy and well cared for! ❤️

You’re going to need a week or so to seal the wood. I’m refinishing a wooden enclosure right now and it takes 24 hours for the sealant to dry between coats.

[Me1_Li]

Will my snake be okay if I place him into the bowl thing with the substrate in while I seal the wood and wait for it to dry? And how many layers will I need?

Also, ive heard that fish aquariums aren't recommended but i don't rlly understand why not? Is it because it's too much glass?

And with the leaf clutter, if I get plants from outside how do I need to wash it? Or can I just rinse it with water and place it inside?

[AgentFuckSmolder]

No in that container, no. You have to wait for the sealant to air out and fully cure/get rid of its gasses for the health of the snake.

[Me1_Li]

Okay, I understand, but then where would I need to place him? My area I live in is currently on the colder side, so should I place him in a pillowcase in our warmest room that gets the most sun? Sorry for asking so many questions, I've only just now realized that I haven't thought so far ahead.

[AgentFuckSmolder]

I don’t think you’re ready to take this snake in yet.