Seeking Ball Python in Toronto

[pablo111]

I'm looking to get back into the hobby after an absence of a few years. Its great to find a little forum dedicated just to Ball Pythons. They're such adorable snakes.

I'm looking for a young or baby ball python in the GTA. I'm also looking to buy any surplus heating/lighting equipment anyone has as well as some kind of lid as Im converting my 35G tank from a fish tank to a terrarium.

If anyone can help me out please PM thanks

[BornboreD]

The expo on the 27th, should give you sometime to reconsider your housing.........I would elaborate but I'm sure many others will. Do a search on this forum for housing, or rubbermaids, or tanks. You'll see.........:)

Colin

[pablo111]

i dont know how to do a search- whats wrong with my aquarium?

I've kept them this way before... and I reeeally dont fancy keeping a snake in a rubbermaid. I want to display it. I heard glass isnt as good for the humidity...

I always mist my snakes several times daily if need be though. SHould I really not use a tank?

[BornboreD]

I'm not saying you shouldn't, some people do have success with tanks. It just takes alot of unnecessary work to make em work right. Besides, if you're looking for a display Ball, you're looking for an unhappy ball. Just my thoughts.

Colin

[Jeff_Favelle]

I'm almost positive that this very forum (Python regius) has a TON of threads on how to keep them. Just browse through it.

[mykee]

Also, moving your original thread to Classifieds: Wanted might garner more responses. I would definitely not go with the aquarium. Do a search as Jeff mentioned, you'll find plenty of reasons why not to use a fish cage for your snake. ( I owe you a nickel Jeff).

[pablo111]

Well how do I set up one of those rubbermaids then

[Jeff_Favelle]

10 cents Mykee. Inflation.

[mykee]

Jeff; 7.5 cents. That's final.
Pablo, do a search on the site or check out the General Enclosures Discussion forum on this site. You'll find lots of useful information. Good luck.

[peterm15]

someone can correct me if im rong but you may also want to look at one of the plastic display cases from repti-plastics or something..

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63249

thats a good thread... id suggest going to the show...

[BornboreD]

The Reptic-plastics cages are sweet indeed. However it would cost you twice as much at least to buy the cage and heat it PROPERLY, than it would to build a rack. Don't get me wrong I love Ball Pythons, actually I obsess over em, but honeslty the word "Display" has and should have nothing to do with Ball Pythons and their proper husbandry.

Just my thoughts.....

Colin

[pablo111]

well if i cant keep it in a tank i dont want it :

[Tim_Cranwill]

Well, fine then! :p

The animal's needs come first. Yours come second. ;)

[pablo111]

It makes no sense is all... It makes much more sense to me to keep it in glass with a mesh top, a heating pad, and 2 ceramic elements so I can give it a slight temperature drop at night, I can control its exact humidity, and the animal has a far greater thermal gradient to move thru. It also has a lot more space, at almost six cubic feet versus two and a half...


I kept balls in tanks about 10 years ago and my animals were always very healthy. I misted three or four times daily to maintain desired humidity... And I kept them on cypress

[greenman1867]

Well put Tim, however, I think it is possible to keep the BP in a glass enclosure, just more work. So long as there are sufficient hides, the temp and humidity is good, then I can't really see many problems, unless the tank is in a high traffic area, then I would say no for sure.

[peterm15]

if you want to keep them that way then you can... lots of space isnt always the greatest thing.. balls need sucurity.. and being on display does not give them that.. you can try it your way but if the snake isnt happy then you should consider alternative houseing... if youve kept them successfully in tanks then do so... but if you read through the forum youll see ALOT of ppl that are having alot of trouble and even more that switched to rubbermaids...

[pablo111]

I always gave my balls lots of hides. One over the heating pad, one over the furthest cool area, and one intermediate, as well as a lot of climbing materials. In my experience, balls love little ceramic pots that are slightly larger than the snake coiled up (so you go using bigger pots every few months as the animal grows up) and you just smash a hole in the side maybe 2x wider than it needs to be for the snake to get in. They love it.

I've never had a shy and uncomfortable ball. Even under bright light, they'd come out during the day for a drink of water right infront of me. Never had trouble feeding. They'd always come out as soon as the sun went down and start exploring, trying to slither out, and on hot days when it was the same temperature outside the tank as in, I'd let them run free in a secure room I had that was just carpet with all the vents and holes everywhere sealed. I had very happy snakes....

Infact when I lived in Barrie a few years back, I managed to double up a baby ball python in less than two months somehow- so quickly that when I took it to show to Grant at PCPC he refused to believe it was the same snake up and down :P

[peterm15]

well if you have had success go for it... tanks are not out of the question.. just alsot of hassle..

[pablo111]

I currently have a planted fish tank ;)

A chameleon isn't a hassle :P

[Tim_Cranwill]

Do whatever you want. Just don't pout as if we won't "let" you keep it in a aquarium. I believe you asked for advice and got it. Nothing to whine about. We're not the boss of you.

[pablo111]

Who's whining?

[Tim_Cranwill]

Originally posted by pablo111
well if i cant keep it in a tank i dont want it :

It almost sounded to me like you were going to throw your juice cup and kick over your Lego castle. :p lol

[peterm15]

Originally posted by pablo111
A chameleon isn't a hassle :P

was that a question.. or do you have one..

but my responce is that a chameleon is a hassle.. and is mostly going to be one.. but the general housebandry can be easily remidied by adding a board or humidifier or mister.. i cant keep a chameleon in a rubbermaid.. granted it would be easier but not possible.. i new getting into chams would be a challenge, but i was willing.. i have to keep lots of ventilation as well as moderate humidity, which presents a problem... but i do it...

you can keep a ball is a smaller area.. with way less ventilation, which in return gives you higher humidity.. so you can honestly go with that or you can spend some money and get a wood or plastic display case, or you can try and see if keeping a ball in a tank is a possible thing for you to do.. but just keep track of how much you spend.. youll be spending alot to try to keep it properly... youll save yourself alot of money by spending a little bit now..

personally i like display animals and all of which i have are that.. but thats the reason that i havent gotten a ball... harder to display..

[zero&stich]

I'll voice my opinion as well. Since switching from glass to rubber, I have noticed several things. Besides the obvious, heat and humidity is eaiser to control I have noticed a huge change in they're actions. Because the enclosures are opaque(sp?) I can move about without them freaking out and ducking back under the hides. Also feeding has become a bit easier to. They seem to be less aware of my presence and more apt to take food.

Just little things can make all the difference. Once you go the route of rubber, there's no turning back, believe me, lol. I believe glass enclosures work well with animals that require low humidity. But that's just me. Also things have changed drastically in the last 10 or so years. Ig you look at most caging companies now and days, the enclosure are of rubber or acrylic-type material. Glass is virtually being wiped off the face of the earth with herp enclosures now. ;)

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Yup. All us "rubbermaiders" were just like you at one time, and we didnt think much of rubbermaids but most people that switch, as has been said, never turn back! They are the best "herp keeping containers" to grace the earth.

Also, from what I have heard, you should not keep a cham in a glass enclosure because of the possibility of them seeing their reflection in the glass and freaking out. Also they are obviously not low maintnance.

C.

[Slannesh]

Bah, I still think rubbermaids are hella ugly.

But yes my ball lives in one now too :) (Had to free up the tank for my Beardie :) )

I still say it's entirely possible to have a perfectly healthy ball in a tank but yes, it's a ton more work.