Just got my first BP!!

[beaglegod]

Finaly got my first ever snake, a beutiful 5 month old BP I named Plissken (for all you "Escape from New York" fans) , Im letting him settle into his new home now trying not to disturb him, but I just have one question.

Is it ok to turn the lights on in his room and watch to see if he comes out of hiding, or should I just stay out of the room as much as possible. Ive only seen him come out once and that was when I snuck a peek at 3 A.M.

tHANKS FOR THE ADVICE GUYS

[Boid_22]

I would keep a regular schedule as far as photoperiod goes, And if you want to peek do so but not by turning on lights at night or turning them off during the day in a dark room. Most herpers don't even use artificial photoperiods to mimic the days or nights.
I don't find any difference in using on or not as far as the health of your herps.

Anyhow, Good luck and enjoy your little ball!

Cheers......Ed Holder

[beaglegod]

But dont you turn on the lights in the room at least when hes out to look at him? I mean its kinda hard seein him in the dark

[mykee]

If you're only going to leave the lights on for a while, there's absolutely no harm in it ever. Enjoy your snake. However, don't expect to see him out much, they're fairly hidden during the daylight hours even after this acclimation period. Congratulations.

[jfmoore]

Even though most animals (including us humans) and plants evolved in association with particular day-night cycles, we and our domesticated animals have made the transition to life under often irregular cycles of artificial lighting. Your ball python will do fine even if you don’t adhere to an equatorial equivalent of 12 hours light/12 hours dark year-round. So flip on that light switch if you want to see what’s up now and then, but don’t be surprised if your snake freezes in its tracks, then retreats to its hiding place if you come too close.

I’ve used red light bulbs when I wanted to observe certain animals for extended periods at night with minimal disruption to them. But the whole topic of “can snakes see red light?” is not cut and dried. I also make frequent use of a flashlight if I want to make a quick check around or look in on certain cages without flooding entire rooms with instant (probably disorienting) light. Just don’t point the beam directly at their eyes or heat pits!

Enjoy your new python!

-Joan

[daver676]

Yeah if you really want to see him in the dark, just use a flashlight, or better yet, pick up on of those red heat lamps. That's what I use and I can always see what's going on without having to shine a light around and disturb the snake. I'd avoid any unnessecary stress for the first few weeks though. He's your snake now, so you'll have plenty of time to see him. Let him settle in for a few weeks before you go shining a light around in there.

[Tigergenesis]

My BP has a red infrared heat light that stays on at night. Makes viewing very easy without disturbing him. I've also used the 'moonlights' with no problem.

[snakehunter]

Get one of those infrared heat lamps, that way you can watch him, and he wont de disturbed by the instant flash of light

[oneidapro]

I agree with the others about using a tipe of "nite light" i use "EXO TERRA Moonlight Lamps" they dont through to much light but in a room with no other light makes veiwing great

[Linds]

I don't worry about lights for any of my snakes, with the exclusion of those that are breeding, and have never experienced any problems. I keep everyone in my bedroom, and being that I spend most of my time in there, the lights can sometimes be on and off til 4 in the morning. Btw, congrats on the new addition!