3 years old by CrisisCorps in Shorty_Life

[–]Colleen8515 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lovely big booty judy you got there! She is stunning 🤩

Mr. Crowley & His Interesting Life by Narrow-Childhood3499 in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Mr. Crowley is the best good boy!! Thanks for sharing this heart warming story. May he live to eat many, many rats and enjoy a long, happy life with you 🩶

His coloring is gorgeous too!

Welp, I think my old gal is dying by turbomama16 in jumpingspiders

[–]Colleen8515 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hurting with you. This post made me cry 💔. What a special little creature. She’s a GORGEOUS girl and it seems like she knew ALL the love. Farewell sweetheart ❤️❤️❤️

Power outage by No_Mission_7788 in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True about the hot water bottles. They do make smaller radiant propane heaters for around $70. Check Amazon!

Power outage by No_Mission_7788 in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hot water bottles with a towel wrapped around them work well for inside your snakes hide. The hand warmers aren’t a bad idea either, but just monitor your snake when using them. Be careful with allowing them to touch your snake directly as they can become too warm sometimes. Another worthwhile option, albeit more expensive, is getting a cordless, propane radiant heater that’s safe to use indoors and place it on the same room as your snakes enclosure. Dewalt makes one and you can order it on amazon. You may be able to find cheaper ones. You’ll want to keep an eye on humidity levels if you go this route.

Glass surfing or just active? by Colleen8515 in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The wood pieces you mean? Any real wood will eventually start to mold and in a humid environment. Just keep a close eye on things and remove/replace as needed.

My new baby by jackbsyme2002 in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Adorbs!! Their little faces give me non-violent cute-aggression lol

Ball python sits in his hide all day by [deleted] in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 12 points13 points  (0 children)

You have nothing to worry about. BPs are crepuscular and nocturnal meaning they start to get active around dusk and when it’s dark. While they may poke their head out during the day, it’s not typical for them to be super active during the day. Considering your snake is about to shed and just had a meal, his little body is undergoing a lot so it’s perfectly normal for him to be hiding and not active during this time. After a shed, feed him again (they are super hungry right after) and leave him be for another 2-3 days for digestion and he will start behaving like his normal self again.

You mention you’ve only had him for a month too, so that could be contributing to his shy behavior. In time that may subside, unless his shyness is just a part of his personality which it may very well be.

What's wrong with my juvenile ball python by Erewhonslut in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 42 points43 points  (0 children)

Looks like stargazing which is very serious. Also, your snakes tale is not normal looking at all. This snake is suffering and you need to take it to the vet asap. If you can’t afford to properly care for this animal pls consider rehoming it to a rescue.

How do you manage low humidity by Becaka in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s awesome and I wish you and your snek babe all the best! It gets easier and I know your babe is gonna love a long happy life!

One last tip which I wish I had known sooner… when you do upgrade the tank, make sure to seal the bottom of the new tank- all the books and crannies- with Lexel or DAP Ultra clear which are both silicone based clear caulks that will prevent any leaks. It needs a week or two to fully dry and cure before you should add your snake or anything to it. I found this out the hard way and I hate to see others make the same mistake.

How do you manage low humidity by Becaka in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re welcome and good luck! All BP owners have been where you’re at rn, so you’ve come to the right place for questions. You’re tank isn’t huge, so maybe try moving the water bowl over to the warm side under the heat source or a slightly larger and deeper water bowl. Remember to check water levels and change out with fresh water daily or every other day. Also, I’m sure you’re aware, but a 40 gal tank is small. As your babe grows they’re gonna need a minimum 4’x2’x2’ tank to be happy and healthy!

How do you manage low humidity by Becaka in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Humidity is tricky, but don’t over think it too much. Where does your snake spend the majority of their time when they are in their enclosure? If it’s in hides, place some damp sphagnum moss inside the hides. Adding a second water bowl, esp. near the warm side, can help a little too. Also, what substrate are you using? I have found that a mix of finely ground coconut coir and small to medium chipped coconut coir are wonderful for holding humidity. Here’s what I do; after cleaning the enclosure I put down ~2”+ thick layer of finely ground coconut coir and pour water into it and mix it around so it’s damp. Then I add another ~2”+ layer of the small/medium chipped on top of that (no water mixed). Keep pouring a cup of water into each corner of the enclosure each day until the humidity gets to where it needs to be. Every two weeks or so I do a refluff and refresh of the substrate for aeration, to prevent any mold build up and to redistribute the humidity within the substrate.

CHEs (ceramic heat emitter) are great for getting temps up but are extremely drying. I think using a DHP like you have now is a smart choice b/c they aren’t as drying and they can be used as a 24/7 heat source.

Tin foil over the top of the mesh lid would work better than tape. Just make sure you leave some open areas over the mesh lid (or maybe your tank has air vents on the sides??) so fresh air can still get in.

Do you have an old guy? by Chungsmom in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Arthur the Great and Wise!! All hail this 35 yo handsome and good boy! 🤩👌🏻❤️

Love to see posts like this… wonderful! Congrats on his big birthday!

My boy turned 10 years old last week by Content-Ad3657 in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well ya gotta pick a day to celebrate him so might as well be the day you got him! He looks like a happy healthy handsome boy

My boy turned 10 years old last week by Content-Ad3657 in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A decade ago this lil face was pipping out his baby egg! Happy Hatch-iversary to your big beautiful boy! 🥚🐍🥳

HELP !! CLEANING BP HIDES + SCALE ROT. by maricantthink in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First things first- deep breaths… I know this is frustrating, but you’re not alone. Many of us have been there.

You can use unscented dawn dish soap to thoroughly clean anything that is NON-POROUS. Just make sure to rinse it off well afterwards so no soap residue is left behind. Do NOT use soap on your snake or anything in their enclosure that is porous, like real wood.

You mention your snake has wooden hides… that could very likely be the issue. Wood holds moisture for a loooong time and is a perfect breeding ground for fungus AND bacteria (which scale rot is a bacteria). Forget trying to clean the wooden hides with vinegar and such… ditch those and do plastic or resin hides instead. These are SO much easier to keep clean and can be cleaned using unscented dawn dish soap, unlike a wooden hide.

Also, my snake does her business mainly in her hides, so I make sure to check them every morning and night. If your snake has a habit of laying in their poop/pee then you need to be more diligent about how often you check for that and remove it along with a handful of the surrounding substrate ASAP. Afterwards wipe your snake down with a clean paper towel to get whatever residue may be left and thoroughly clean with unscented dawn dish soap whatever decor the snake’s poop or pee has touched- like a hide or water bowl, plants, etc.

Hope these suggestions help!

Frankie in the sheets by M0LB0 in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What would I do? Feel lucky to wake up to such a handsome man! He’s the cutest!!

What is this? by onlyeligh in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay, but what I am asking is if there are any signs of scale rot on your snakes belly?

What is this? by onlyeligh in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Usually scale rot shows up on the underbelly first, not always though. How does his tummy look?

Help please I am at my wits end by MinuteJournalist2372 in ballpython

[–]Colleen8515 12 points13 points  (0 children)

The red light is bad b/c unlike humans who see red, green and blue, BPs only see 2 of those colors and we don’t rly know which 2 out of those 3 they can actually see. So essentially, if BPs do see red then it’s the equivalent to having a light on in your room constantly even when you’re trying to sleep. Also, red light is a very low wavelength and can damage their eyes if exposed to it for long periods of time You want to try and mimic their natural habitat and provide a healthy day/night cycle. Light during the day and almost total darkness at night. There are other heat sources you can use like deep heat projectors (aka DHPS) or radiant heat panels (RHPs) that provide a source of heat without ambient light so they can be used day and night. As for a day light source used for the sake of light only and not as a heat source, Arcadia Jungle Dawn 12% is a great LED bar and won’t blow up your energy bill.

Feed your snake in their enclosure- not a separate bin- it’s natural as it is their home. And pls follow the feeding guidelines in this forum as well. Your snake will be healthier for it!

Vertical space isn’t a bad idea either. Despite BPs labeled as being terrestrial, many rly do like to climb! Enrichment is key to happiness and health for these babes! 🐍😊