My first snake.

[JosephS]

Hello everyone. As the above has stated, this is my first snake. A Ball Python. I would welcoms any sugestions that those of you might have, to help me out in this new learing experience. My first question is about substrate. I am using Aspen right now, but I was wondering is sand would be acceptable. I have already found one mite. I have tried to find out on sites but am having no luck tracking down a yes or no. Any and all help will be greatly apreciated.


JosephS

[Phox]

Welcome to sSnakeSs Joseph :)

[Brodie]

I use recycled paper kitty litter... works a treat..looks ok as well

[mark129er]

If you have found a mite you may want to consider putting your bp on newspaper. It would be easier to spot the mites, you should also consider getting some mite treatment. As far as using sand as the substrate the answer is no it can lead to serious complications. BTW welcome to ssnakess.

[Soul_Reaper]

Originally posted by mark129er
If you have found a mite you may want to consider putting your bp on newspaper. It would be easier to spot the mites, you should also consider getting some mite treatment. As far as using sand as the substrate the answer is no it can lead to serious complications. BTW welcome to ssnakess.

He's right. Welcome aboard!

[Tim_Cranwill]

Sand wouldn't be a good choice for a ball python. Stick to aspen or paper towels/news paper. Sand can cause a lot of health problems for certain types of snakes.

While your snake has mites, keep him on paper towels so you can easily spot them and completely change the substrate several times a day. There a several good threads on this site about getting rid of mites. Do a search and try the NIX method. :)

Good luck and welcome to the site!

[Big Mike]

Welcome to the site. You will find lots of good info here. Use the search feature and feel free to ask questions if you cannot find your answer that way.

Tell us about your ball python and it's enclosure. What are the temps on the floor of the enclosure? What are you keeping him in? How often do you feed him? What do you feed him? How is his temperament? etc

Welcome aboard.

[CDN-Cresties]

Welcome to the site..as you can tell good info is by being passed on right now :)

-Steve-

[drako]

i have 2 ball pythons i just switched to astroturf its the stuff they use for a mini put green it look sharp pluse its easy to clean just make sure u wash it at least once a mounth as for mites i had a farlly bad mite problem i recomend useing ivory soap and therally clean your cage and let it soke in hot water for an hour then get some mite powder that goses under your surface and plz dont use sand if it digest that it could kill it hope we've all been helpful and good luck

[Tim_Cranwill]

Astro turf will carry a LOT of bacteria over time and it isn't the greatest substate. If you want a natural looking substrate use aspen or that repti-bark stuff (never used it myself but I've heard good things). If you don't care so much about looks, you can't beat poaper towel or news paper. Easy and cheap. Sand and Astro turf are known as "bad substrates". Each for various reasons... :)

[sapphire_moon]

my bp actually got a mite infestation from repti-bark. for a cheap and easy treatment of mites........try using mineral oil slick it on his body and use a cotton swab (q-tip) to get it around his nose, and eyes. do it twice a day. Use unprinted paper, or papertowels to see the mites........as mykee said tell us all about the set up, temps, what you feed, how often you feed, how old is the bp, how long is he............

Welcome to sSnakeSs there are TONS of wonderful people here!

[JosephS]

Well thank you all I ddi not expect a reply so quicly or as in as much force. So sand is no good, got ya. I ahve picked up a treatment and started to administer it today. Time will tell. I was also told by a friend that sometimes they can be in the aspen, would freezing the aspen for a time help with this? Mike you were asking me about her enclosure. It is about 16" in hight, 12" in depth, and 36 in lenght, i use aspen on 2/3rds and a egyptian towel for the other 3rd, where she sleeps and or hides. The temp is kept at 22-23 dec C. She has a large water dish, and climbing aperatus. This is only temporary since I do belive that she needs as much space as possible. The new enclosure will be 30" plus in hight, as well as depth, and the lenght will be atleast 48". Sappire, you asked about length, she is about 2-2' 6" in length. I have yet to get a definite mesurment. I also feed her every 6 days. Medium mice, is her curret diet since Ratts are illegal in Alberta. I am trying to work on the ratt thing. the yare better for her so I have read. Thank you all for you replies thus far, i really apreciate all your help.

Joseph S

[mykee]

Joseph, first, let me welcome you to the site. I read your above post, and would like to make a few suggestions.
1. Rats are not illegal in Alberta. I suggest you get your ball eating them ASAP.
2. you are underfeeding your ball, medium mice every 6 days is NOT enough food. Try a weanling rat or a jumbo adult mouse if you cannot find rats.
3. 22-23 degrees is MUCH too cold for your snake if you are not cycling. You need a hot belly spot (1/4 - 1/3 of the tank) of at LEAST 31-33.
4. Don't put her in a larger environment. Balls do not need as much room as you would like to give her. She can happily live in what she is in now, forever.
5. Please buy a book on the captive husbandry of ball pythons and read it soon, do as much research as you can online about how you should keep your ball python, and ask as many questions as you can to ensure the health and well-being of your snake.

[Edwin]

Welcome, Joseph.

The size of your new enclosure is a good size and your ball can live comfortably in it for the rest of its life.

This is a good caresheet for ball pythons
http://www.**************/ballpythonguide/

[Big Mike]

Hi Joseph,
Mykee is right (that is all good advice), your temps are too low. You really need to raise the temps on one side of that enclosure. The idea is to have a thermal gradient so that the snake can regulate it's body temperature by moving around the enclosure. What do you have for heat? The best option (IMHO) would be an Under Tank Heater. They are available at pet stores. Get one that covers about 1/3 of the enclosure. Then get a control device for it. A plug-in lamp dimmer will work. You can even make your own if you feel up to it. There is a great set of instructions on this site. Heat lamps will work but are not the best option for ball pythons.

Make sure to get a good thermometer and measure the temperature right on the floor (or the hottest spot). The best ones to use are the digital indoor/outdoor thermometers with a probe on it.

Aspen is a good substrate, there might be some bugs in there but chances are they are not reptile mites...unless the aspen came from a reptile store that has a rampant mite problem. I get my aspen in compressed sealed bags and I have never seen a bug in it. I would loose the towel...unless you wash it on a fairly regular basis...it will be a bacteria breeding ground. All you need for a hiding place is something that is dark and tight fitting...like an upside down plastic tub with a door cut out...they have nice looking caves at pet stores too.

Live rats are not allowed in Alberta, the last time I checked. You can get frozen ones though. You do feed frozen/thawed mice don't you? If you don't....switch ASAP. Where are you from in Alberta? There are great reptile "clubs" in both Edmonton and Calgary. ERAS in Edmonton and TARAS in Calgary. If you can...come to a meeting of one of these clubs...they are great fun.

Sorry that was so long...once I get going... :rolleyes:

[JosephS]

Hello again. Well mykee, I can tell you, the pet store is sure making it a big deal about getting ratts. I know they are best for her, but I might have to find a substitute. As fas as the tempreature goes, i have moved the thermometer closer to the ground where the heat is being generated to et a more acurate reading on the warm spot. It if it is still to low I will get a lamp to bring up the temp. As far as the towel goes I do wash it once a week, but I agree that removal would be best. Big Mike, I am up north, 4hrs north of Edmonton. I do make trips their regularly, I will try to look one up. The food, yes is not live. Much safer for the snake that way I hear. Thanks yet again for all you inof and resources folks. I have much morereading to do, and it is time for another trip to the pet store, to argue about the Ratt issue. Oh, I have read that with ratts as a diet, once a week is ok, so if I do mng to get ratts, is that acceptable?


Joseph S

[ohh_kristina]

once a week feeding is a good plan to stick to, as long as the rat or mouse is an appropriate size.

[mykee]

Joseph, dead rats should not be a problem to get at any pet store, but if you're having a problem, look around for a rat breeder in your area, there are plenty out west. The rats will be much cheaper, and most probably a better quality. With regards to getting a heat lamp to up the heat, don't. Belly heat is just that; heat from under the tank for the belly of the snake. Heat lamps provide heat from above and are not to be used as the primary heat source for a BP. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Clownfishie]

Welcome to the site! :)

[UpscaleBoas]

dude..dead and frozen..just please don't keep them in see through bags....I had a friend go into my downstairs freezer and he nearly s%$# himself...what he was doing in there i still have no clue and cries everytime i bring it up lol