Ball Python Prep

[Piggybuns]

Sooo, last year, when my temp seasonal job opened up, I saved up and got my corn girl, Ghost. I'd spent 6 months researching reptiles, snakes in particular. Corns and balls were the two I dug into the most, as they were the closest to what I was looking for. NOW ALMOST A YEAR LATER, here I am, and after acquiring a corn and absolutely loving her, I'm now thinking its time for a thicker, heavier built snake. .)

I love balls. A lot. The thing that put me off last time was the humidity, and at the time I bought my corn girl, I had already laid down money on a glass tank setup, which is bad for balls because of humidity problems. It's so nice to have research under my belt to know all this by now. I was afraid of issues back then, and now I'm confident I could set up a ball enclosure with no problem, so I finally think I'm ready!

Here's my pitch of questions so I don't freaking yak your ear off. (Curse of typing at 120 words per minute, I'm so sorry for the wall of text.)

--- Q1: Where could I find plastic tubs aside from walmart online that could have nice clear sides so I could see into and be the adult-size I need? I don't need a stacking enclosure, I plan to stop snake-hunting after a ball! 2 is enough, haha, I have limited functioning plugs in my house for heat. Otherwise I'd be as addicted as some of you, lol.

--- Q2: What size mouse do they start themselves off on? I'm likely to get a hatchling; it was very fun watching Ghost grow up, and she's still growing!

--- Q3: How do you handle humidity? Do you mist a lot? How do you avoid condensation and mold if you do?

--- Q4: Do you use a UTH, or heat tape? Which is better in your opinion? Can I stick a thermostat on heat tape? Never tried it, so don't know. I use a UTH for Ghost, and have a thermostat control the temp.

--- Q5: I heard they're picky eaters and sometimes won't take food. Does braining and the like usually help you?

--- Q7: I have to order online, there are no expos or anything fun around here and I have no car. .o I take public transit. Does... anyone here breed 'em who'd want to correspond with me? I've been active (lurk every day multiple times tho I don't post!) since I got Ghost last December, so you'd see pics. ;)

And last but the absolute most important while waiting:

--- Q6: BREEEEDS. Tell me types of snakes I can get that DON'T have issues! Sadly, spider morphs have wobble, and now I'm being extra careful that other breeds don't have neurological problems. .C

I'll not be getting the baby until later, since my job starts in October and ends in December, and it will be cold. So basically there's no need to rush. I got Ghost December 23rd, and it was in the 60's that year. This year is reading to be colder, so I may hold off all the way till spring; we'll see.

Obligatory Non-Ball Ghost-Post:
https://s6.postimg.org/owgqznwr5/30GhostW43.jpg

[Minkness]

Ok, I'll do my best!

1. Target, home depot, and other simmilar stores carry totes. None will be perfectly clear for the size you will be looking for. I get mine fron WalMart and they are all great!

2. If you get a baby, a rat pinky shoyld be fine. Otherwise, you want a feeder that is only slightly larger than the thickest part of the snake. There is a weight ratio as well but I don't use that method so can't tell you about it.

3. I just keep a large water dish in the enclosure and mist when needed. You can use cypress mulch as a substrate that will assist in holding humidity. But this should only be used after quarintine on paper towels.

4.I use UTHs but may be changing to heat tape when I get my 'real' enclosures.

5. Try super heating the feeder before braining. Only make ONE attempt PER 7 days if it refuses. Do not continuously offer.

6. If someone on this forum doesn't have what you are looking for, try FaunaClassifieds or Kingsnake.com. some breeders take payments, which is super nice! (I have gotten several from fauna and have had good experiences. Always check BOI first though!)

7. I believe you mean morphs on this one. There are no 'breeds' of reptiles. Species, localities, ect, but not 'breeds'. I am not super aware of most health issues outside of the spider wobble and female deserts shouldn't be bred. Hopefully someone with more info on this can add more.

[Aaron_S]

Q1: Where could I find plastic tubs aside from walmart online that could have nice clear sides so I could see into and be the adult-size I need? I don't need a stacking enclosure, I plan to stop snake-hunting after a ball! 2 is enough, haha, I have limited functioning plugs in my house for heat. Otherwise I'd be as addicted as some of you, lol.

Minkness answered this one well

--- Q2: What size mouse do they start themselves off on? I'm likely to get a hatchling; it was very fun watching Ghost grow up, and she's still growing!

Hopper mice or rat pups. Roughly 20 grams in weight if you want to weigh the frozen food

--- Q3: How do you handle humidity? Do you mist a lot? How do you avoid condensation and mold if you do?

Depends on enclosure. I use a rack system so tubs. I keep an adequate water bowl in each one. I dump it into the enclosure and re-fill it when the snakes go into shed cycles.

--- Q4: Do you use a UTH, or heat tape? Which is better in your opinion? Can I stick a thermostat on heat tape? Never tried it, so don't know. I use a UTH for Ghost, and have a thermostat control the temp.

UTH is fine

--- Q5: I heard they're picky eaters and sometimes won't take food. Does braining and the like usually help you?

This is old news. It's not really true anymore. They tend to be specific to their husbandry though. If it's off then they don't eat! They are secretive snakes for the most part.

--- Q7: I have to order online, there are no expos or anything fun around here and I have no car. .o I take public transit. Does... anyone here breed 'em who'd want to correspond with me? I've been active (lurk every day multiple times tho I don't post!) since I got Ghost last December, so you'd see pics.

There's a couple breeders here. If they don't have what you're looking for then PM me for some others I'd recommend in the States. Justin Kobylka is at the top of my list. If a breeder doesn't have something on their site contact them and see if they have it just not listed online.

And last but the absolute most important while waiting:

--- Q6: BREEEEDS. Tell me types of snakes I can get that DON'T have issues! Sadly, spider morphs have wobble, and now I'm being extra careful that other breeds don't have neurological problems. .C

Most defects are birth defects like kinking or duck billing. So other than spiders you should be fine with whatever colour/pattern you wish.

[Piggybuns]

WHOA nice thanks for the detailed answers guys! And yeah I meant morphs, not breeds. XD My brain forgot the word at the time.

Literally cannot wait for job to start.

[macandchz]

piggybuns, if you want a morph, how about an albino ball? mac doesn't have any neurological issues that i know of. and he's extremely docile. i disagree with aaron about balls not being picky eaters. even if your numbers are perfect they do go on hunger strikes for periods of time and sometimes decide they want their food a certain way. like fresh instead of frozen.

[trailblazer295]

For humidity I cypress mulch in my display cages. I wet it as needed to keep the humidity in range. I alson bump it for shedding. I had bad luck with mold using cocohusk bricks. But depends where you live to.

[Albert Clark]

Sooo, last year, when my temp seasonal job opened up, I saved up and got my corn girl, Ghost. I'd spent 6 months researching reptiles, snakes in particular. Corns and balls were the two I dug into the most, as they were the closest to what I was looking for. NOW ALMOST A YEAR LATER, here I am, and after acquiring a corn and absolutely loving her, I'm now thinking its time for a thicker, heavier built snake. .)

I love balls. A lot. The thing that put me off last time was the humidity, and at the time I bought my corn girl, I had already laid down money on a glass tank setup, which is bad for balls because of humidity problems. It's so nice to have research under my belt to know all this by now. I was afraid of issues back then, and now I'm confident I could set up a ball enclosure with no problem, so I finally think I'm ready!

Here's my pitch of questions so I don't freaking yak your ear off. (Curse of typing at 120 words per minute, I'm so sorry for the wall of text.)

--- Q1: Where could I find plastic tubs aside from walmart online that could have nice clear sides so I could see into and be the adult-size I need? I don't need a stacking enclosure, I plan to stop snake-hunting after a ball! 2 is enough, haha, I have limited functioning plugs in my house for heat. Otherwise I'd be as addicted as some of you, lol.

--- Q2: What size mouse do they start themselves off on? I'm likely to get a hatchling; it was very fun watching Ghost grow up, and she's still growing!

--- Q3: How do you handle humidity? Do you mist a lot? How do you avoid condensation and mold if you do?

--- Q4: Do you use a UTH, or heat tape? Which is better in your opinion? Can I stick a thermostat on heat tape? Never tried it, so don't know. I use a UTH for Ghost, and have a thermostat control the temp.

--- Q5: I heard they're picky eaters and sometimes won't take food. Does braining and the like usually help you?

--- Q7: I have to order online, there are no expos or anything fun around here and I have no car. .o I take public transit. Does... anyone here breed 'em who'd want to correspond with me? I've been active (lurk every day multiple times tho I don't post!) since I got Ghost last December, so you'd see pics. ;)

And last but the absolute most important while waiting:

--- Q6: BREEEEDS. Tell me types of snakes I can get that DON'T have issues! Sadly, spider morphs have wobble, and now I'm being extra careful that other breeds don't have neurological problems. .C

I'll not be getting the baby until later, since my job starts in October and ends in December, and it will be cold. So basically there's no need to rush. I got Ghost December 23rd, and it was in the 60's that year. This year is reading to be colder, so I may hold off all the way till spring; we'll see.

Obligatory Non-Ball Ghost-Post:
https://s6.postimg.org/owgqznwr5/30GhostW43.jpg
Q1- For your clear tubs try and google "Vision Plastic Tubs" and see what they have to offer. Second, try googling Sterilite tubs.

Q2- Live hopper mice are what hatchlings start out on but also rat pinks are used. Try to get him/her to take f/t as soon as possible bc its easier for hatchlings to make the transition.

Q3- Once you get your tub and determine how many ventilation holes you will need it will be comparative to your humidity percentage. Get a good hygrometer to measure the humidity. With cypress mulch you shouldnt have to worry about mold to much at all. Spot clean regularly and pay attention to the corners of the enclosure both top and bottom. That will pay off multitudes for the health of the animal.

Q4- A uth is a form of heat tape and yes you can use a thermostat , rheostat , or a dimmer controller to regulate the temperature for you. Non adhesive heat tape is probably the better of the two. There is a "ultra therm" heat tape that is ready to go without the adhesive backing that is more terrarium friendly.

[Albert Clark]

Q5- Yes bp are known to be picky eaters. Some individuals are moreso than others. Males more than females. Best thing to help avoid that is to keep stress to a minimum and keep your husbandry on top. I breed ball pythons and would be glad to correspond and help you out.

Q6- Morphs of bp that have genetic disabilities will better serve you at this website : www.owalreptiles.com/issues for all the details.

Q7- Reptile basics is the store you want to shop for supplies.... as far as feeders you can check your local craigslist for people who have live feeders. I breed mice on a small scale but am in N.Y.