Hey guys,
Im new on this forum. Just got a healthy 3 yr old female ball python from a breeder. I would really appreciate any help from experienced owners with how to attain the correct temperatures in the cage as well as tips regarding handling and feeding.
My setup at the moment:
20 Gallon Locking Glass Terrarium
2" of Aspen Snake Bedding
Water Dish on the left
Hide on the right (shes hiding inside at the moment)
Hygrometer in the middle
Two probe-thermometers on either side of the tank
&
Heat Lamp with dimmer
A 60 Watt Neodymium Day Glo bulb
Right now, the temperatures I am achieving are:
Daytime:
90 F on top of the hide (basking spot)
84.5 F ambient on the hot side
(is this too low ?)
74 F on the cooler side
Nightime:
(I turned off my heat lamp for the first night, Ive had it since Sunday morning)
72 F all around
I have read online and been told by several other snake owners that I want 90-95 F on basking spot, 85-90 F on the warm side, and 78-82 F on the cooler side. And that during the night time, they are fine between 70-80 F.
So my question is: Should I use an UTH heater on the left side where the water is to raise the cooler side to around 80 F ? And should I also upgrade and get a 75 W bulb to achieve better temperatures on the warmer side ?
Lastly, I have heard that since I only got her on Sunday (yesterday) that I should wait at least a week to handle her. As well, I heard Its best to wait until they are feeding regularly to handle her more than once a week.
Sorry for all the questions, Im just eager to make my snake happy, as she is the first pet I have ever had. To add some incentive to help me, here's a picture of my ball, Morticia.
(Notice the cool alien / ghost face markings on the side)
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