Healthy Cooking

Question: So I have some questions about my baby Ball Python…?
I just got a baby Ball Python and I have him in a 40gallon tank (for him to grow into).
He has snake aspen as bedding, a hollowed out half log for a hiding spot with a undertank heater underneath, a tree looking thing for him to climb on, a large water dish filled about 3/4, and a heat lamp with a 75w red bulb because the undertank tank heater wasnt keeping it warm enough.

What I want to know is does this sound like a good set up?

I have frozen fuzzies to feed him and I was told to take him out and put him in something elce to feed him. (so he doesnt think “ooh food!” when the lid opens). And to cover up what I put him in as well.

Any tips on how to feed him?

With the heat lamp on it reads about 90+ in his tank, is it okay to turn it off at night?

What temp. is too low if I do turn the lamp off?

How to I get the humidity in his tank that he requires?

How do you recommend feeding him?

And any other usefull tips would be great!

Answer:

Answer by Pat C
While I prefer to start with a smaller tank (makes them feel more secure) he should be alright with the 40. Personally, I only use under-tank pads without an additional lamp because the pad gets it plenty warm on that end. But so long as you’re monitoring the temps, it shouldn’t be a problem using both.

I keep all of my guys at room temperature (72-5ish) on the cool side up to 86-88 on the warm end, but I don’t keep any ball pythons so I’m not up on their exact requirements. As for humidity, the large water dish is a good start. If you have one of those little digital thermometers that reads temp and humidity, you can use that as your guide and mist his tank a few times a day with a spray bottle to get your desired level. If you’re misting, watch that the bedding doesn’t get too wet and become mouldy.

For feeding, I thaw my mice by heating some water and putting the mice in a plastic sandwich bag. Bag into water, voila. Never heat the mice directly in the microwave, since that can super-heat the inside while leaving the outside feeling ok, which will result in a dead snake.

Depending on how aggressive his feeding response, you can either just toss the mouse in with him or use something like corn tongs to do hold it and dangle it near ‘im if he’s unused to dead prey. I use the tongs for one of my snakes, just toss it in for the rest.

After that, just leave him alone in the dark and quiet for a bit. I put dish towels over the feeding boxes for my guys and leave them in a dark corner of the kitchen for a while (you’ll get a feel for how long he’ll take to eat, if he’s going to).

One thing I’d recommend: You say he has a hiding spot on the warm side, but didn’t mention one on the cool side. He should have a place to hide on both ends of the tank, so he’s never forced to choose between temperature and security.

Otherwise, it seems like you have a good setup. Well done on the research and preparation aspect!

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!