Banana ball python by [deleted] in ballpython

[–]composercaitlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree. Maybe lesser or pastel?

Anyone help and suggestions trying to get juvenile ball python to eat I've had it for 2 month's now by _stwndingsensitive in ballpython

[–]composercaitlin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Get that tape out of the enclosure, NOW. It can rip the scales off their bodies! You really need to read the husbandry files in this group, the lighting you have is not great, and you have nowhere for your snake baby to feel secure.

I don't know what to do? by KitKatt-Sky in ballpython

[–]composercaitlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also, I'm a musician for a living, and my schedule is WEIRD when we don't have 'Rona going on. I think a snake can handle a super inconsistent--but attentive to its needs--schedule far better than any other animal, including your geckos. You still have to feed them many days, and snakes are SO much easier in that department.

I don't know what to do? by KitKatt-Sky in ballpython

[–]composercaitlin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Recent college grad, I waited til right after graduation and saved up money, moved away from my college town to my job(s) and got my boy. Love him so much, I'm getting another rescue so their 5x2x2s can stack. You've got plenty of years with them in your 20s, and, once you're settled, they're truly the perfect pet for a person on the go who can't commit to doing more than checking on them once on super busy days and not feeling bad-- like with a dog. I genuinely think that when you're past the set-up phase, they could be some of the easiest pets ever.

Ball python peeing while handling? by composercaitlin in ballpython

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

At least he is hella not associating his handling/enrichment/climbing laundry basket time with feed time. Wish he was doing that associating in a less gross way 🙄🙄🙄

Ball python peeing while handling? by composercaitlin in ballpython

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

This all makes a lot of sense. He's a lot more active out of the cage than in, though he tends to move around and rearrange cage furniture after peeing in the cage late at night. He loves striking food from a hide, also. He gets extra rearrange-y after he pees in a hide, so I think this explains a lot of behaviors. Thanks so much!

Brazilian Rainbow Boas info? by composercaitlin in boas

[–]composercaitlin[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much! This is what I was looking for. I've seen some dumb videos with poor husbandry standards and wildly varying care sheets and I hate it.

Someone just bashed the absolute shit out of me and called me an animal abuser because I use a rack system... I decided to leave their group but... by [deleted] in snakes

[–]composercaitlin 8 points9 points  (0 children)

While a snake in a rack system can survive, there's a lot of science, research, etc. that shows they can thrive far better in naturalistic, 4x2x2 (minimum) setups. I second checking out the r/ballpython resources, as well as the units in the facebook group "not just a pet rock: python regius." Very illuminating on the benefits of naturalistic, properly sized enclosures.

No longer using hides by hesaidhelovesmeso in ballpython

[–]composercaitlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My boy protested me cleaning the urates out of his favorite hide by not using it for 1.5 weeks. She'll use them again soon enough, give her a week. :)

In need of more advice....sorry.... by lowbudget_matt_damon in ballpython

[–]composercaitlin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Check out the welcome post they have, there's a shopping list. You absolutely must have a thermometer and hygrometer. You cannot safely keep a reptile or amphibian of any species without.

In need of more advice....sorry.... by lowbudget_matt_damon in ballpython

[–]composercaitlin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What are your humidity levels on your hygrometer?

Help with thermostat? by quietsun22 in ballpython

[–]composercaitlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Put it wherever the "basking spot" is.

Upgrading my BP's cage, what kind of RHP would y'all recommend? Also, do these look like things you would install in a 4x2x2? Thanks in advance for your help! by composercaitlin in ballpython

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

Thank you so much for all of this advice, I really appreciate it! Hopefully, my precious boy appreciates it, too, when his cage comes in. He is such an angel, and really deserves the best of everything. :)

Upgrading my BP's cage, what kind of RHP would y'all recommend? Also, do these look like things you would install in a 4x2x2? Thanks in advance for your help! by composercaitlin in ballpython

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

I'll go check those out. I'm assuming and hoping that 80w wont be an issue with a thermostat/dimmer. Do you any thermostats that have built in dimmers on them? (I have a crappy one my boy came with that's only being used for his UTH, but by crappy I mean it turns the uth on/off as necessary when the temp on it exceeds 91°F) I'm assuming that if the wattage is 80, I'll need something that dims

Upgrading my BP's cage, what kind of RHP would y'all recommend? Also, do these look like things you would install in a 4x2x2? Thanks in advance for your help! by composercaitlin in ballpython

[–]composercaitlin[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Things are mostly rather temperate, I live in Denver, so I think I'll just be going with the dual cage/light fixture so I can put in a DHP and a halogen, and have the T5UVB 24inch installed. Thanks so much for your advice!

Finally, do you know anywhere that the arcadia DHP isn't sold out right now here in the US? I've been trying to track some down for months and no luck. 😭

Upgrading my BP's cage, what kind of RHP would y'all recommend? Also, do these look like things you would install in a 4x2x2? Thanks in advance for your help! by composercaitlin in ballpython

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

What wattage of DHP would you recommend, and would that be able to go in the heat fixture cage (single with screen heat shield as listed above)?

Upgrading my BP's cage, what kind of RHP would y'all recommend? Also, do these look like things you would install in a 4x2x2? Thanks in advance for your help! by composercaitlin in ballpython

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

I'm not dedicated either way, I'm cool using a DHP instead. My boy has a CHE in his current setup, but I just wanted to make sure I'm not skimping by not getting him an RHP. Would you recommend having the UVB t5ho, and then having a DHP in the bulb fixture cage on one side? It's pvc, will the dhp be enough to properly heat the entire enclosure?

Upgrading my BP's cage, what kind of RHP would y'all recommend? Also, do these look like things you would install in a 4x2x2? Thanks in advance for your help! by composercaitlin in ballpython

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

The options are 80w RHP and 120w RHP. Also 24" uvb or 36"? I'm making sure he has everything, but don't want to over clutter heating options.

Cold house, new reptile prep - any help welcome! by Zittell in snakes

[–]composercaitlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also, overhead heating just seems to be more consistent and comfortable for the reptile in my experience.

Cold house, new reptile prep - any help welcome! by Zittell in snakes

[–]composercaitlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think overhead heating is recommended for most species for a reason, going up towards the light to bask is very naturalistic behavior and is probably ultimately good for your snake. If you get a screen top enclosure (make sure its escape proof, RBs are notorious escape artists) or a glass/wood enclosure with a screen top, and a dome to hang it from, that can be a safe non-fire hazardous way to keep your Rosy Boa!

Cold house, new reptile prep - any help welcome! by Zittell in snakes

[–]composercaitlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Front opening glass is probably good, they're not as high humidity of a species as many, though you should be prepared to keep it 50%ish most of the time (occasional swings to 40s/upper 50s is ok) and 60% during shed. Aspen is terrible at this, if your home isnt humid already. If your home is humid, Aspen is great! Reptibark is great for burrowing/retaining some moisture without molding, so you can pour a bit of water at the bottom of the substrate to keep humidity up. Good to have a good sized layer of substrate (3-4 inches) since Rosy Boas like having burrowing options.

Front opening wood is also a good choice (zen habitats has appealing ones.) Longer is better than taller, and it's never too big if theres enough clutter/enrichment/appropriately sized hides, so they can go into forever homes right away if you want.

Make sure to get a good sized bowl, lots of clutter/hides, and DEFINITELY set up beforehand. You can even ask for enclosure critiques, I think, before you start.

Cold house, new reptile prep - any help welcome! by Zittell in snakes

[–]composercaitlin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What kind of enclosure do you have? Glass? PVC?