Fresh and hopeful!

[red ink]

G'day and welcome

[CJNetrider]

Back again and hopefully able to post a couple of pics!
Note: He does have two hides but I had removed the other in all pics so I could get a better view of him

I am almost certain he is going into shed as I have caught him bathing his front end in his water at night and often stretches his nose up against the walls of the tank. The one eyelid remains more cloudy than the other, but it hasn't got any worse. To be honest it does concern me a bit, although i'm not at the stage of freaking out just yet.



This is Junior when I got him at what I was told 16 weeks



He was being fed a pinky every 7 days and as thought this must have been a snack. I went and bought a small rat first, but it seemed a tad too big so offered a jumbo mouse last night which was his first feed from me. Feeding turned out to be fun as he popped his head out of the hide, looked at the mouse then turned to me as if to say "ok, whats the deal here?". I immediately thought shoot, I could be in for a long run here. However, a few dangles and dances later and he changed from inquisitive to let me at it mode! The whole process took less than 50 seconds and he was firmly coiled leaving me a happy father! Took a quick look this morning and still not convinced that the couldn't have handled the rat given the hardly noticable bulge in his girth. Picture below and appreciate any comments on this...



The following is Junior with the f/t jumbo right after taking it. I didn't want to disturb unnecessarily so its not a good pic. Gave some thought into feeding outside yet as many have said it doesn't matter, and can even deter when in shed, I decided to let him have a go inside where he feels secure.



Last for now with him stretched out to give an idea if anyone can comment/agree/or not, on age and size to feed ratio.



I'm looking now for a infrared temperature gun that will suffice for now with the one set-up, recommendations appreciated (especially any in the UK to keep delivery low and quick!).

Back soon with updates, Cj

[alessia55]

He looks great. Congratulations

My only concern is that cage... It has a lot of ventilation and that usually means that the humidity in there is escaping. Ball pythons need good humidity to shed well and for overall good health. What is the humidity level in there?

[CJNetrider]

Hi Alessia, thanks for the reply and sorry i'm a bit late with mine!

Since reading what you wrote I have been to another reptile dealer who agreed with what you said and advised I should do one of two things.. Firstly, if I was going to keep the faunarium, he recommended I tape over all but two of the ventilation slots as to better maintain both heat and humidity. However, due to my ball being around the 18" mark, he tends to think he would do better in a ADT viv with lighting, better heat and a bit more space for hides, etc. Re the humidity I cannot give you a reading as I never got myself a hygrometer. This was due to the fact that I was initially advised it wouldn't be necessary when I first got him as the water, etc would suffice for his size. But I had a good think last night and decided to make a couple of immediate changes.. I have now moved the faunarium so that the hide he mostly stays in is facing the radiator allowing all the heat inc heatmat is on his warm side. I also purchased moss which i've put in the second hide between both warm and cooler areas.. ordered a much better digital thermometer with probe and I am giving serious consideration into the ADT viv..

I just had a quick check on him and found what appear to be two very small white balls of white hard pressed toilet paper in his hide. Unsure if this is a "very" bad shed or remains of the mouse he ate just the other day :/ Maybe better I upload a pic later..

On another note i've been offerered a columbian rainbow boa at 13 weeks complete with 3ft viv for £115 and have to say i'm tempted!! God help me i'm becoming addicted already lol! Anyone know the temperament of this snake?

Cj

[alessia55]

Originally Posted by CJNetrider

Hi Alessia, thanks for the reply and sorry i'm a bit late with mine!

Since reading what you wrote I have been to another reptile dealer who agreed with what you said and advised I should do one of two things.. Firstly, if I was going to keep the faunarium, he recommended I tape over all but two of the ventilation slots as to better maintain both heat and humidity. However, due to my ball being around the 18" mark, he tends to think he would do better in a ADT viv with lighting, better heat and a bit more space for hides, etc. Re the humidity I cannot give you a reading as I never got myself a hygrometer. This was due to the fact that I was initially advised it wouldn't be necessary when I first got him as the water, etc would suffice for his size. But I had a good think last night and decided to make a couple of immediate changes.. I have now moved the faunarium so that the hide he mostly stays in is facing the radiator allowing all the heat inc heatmat is on his warm side. I also purchased moss which i've put in the second hide between both warm and cooler areas.. ordered a much better digital thermometer with probe and I am giving serious consideration into the ADT viv..

I just had a quick check on him and found what appear to be two very small white balls of white hard pressed toilet paper in his hide. Unsure if this is a "very" bad shed or remains of the mouse he ate just the other day :/ Maybe better I upload a pic later..

On another note i've been offerered a columbian rainbow boa at 13 weeks complete with 3ft viv for £115 and have to say i'm tempted!! God help me i'm becoming addicted already lol! Anyone know the temperament of this snake?

Cj

CJ, It's good to hear you've updated to a better cage for your little guy. I really recommend getting a digital hydrometer though.

I can't tell by what you've described, what you might've found in his cage... Post a pic, that'll help us help you.

About getting a rainbow boa... You just got your first snake. I'd take at least a few months to get used to housing one snake before you get into a new snake that's a different species. Rainbow boas do make great pets, but I'd recommend getting more experience and perfecting the husbandry on the one you have now before you move onto a new one. Soon enough you'll be at the right time to get a new snake, but I recommend getting used to taking care of your ball python first.

[Gungirl]

Originally Posted by CJNetrider

I have now moved the faunarium so that the hide he mostly stays in is facing the radiator allowing all the heat inc heatmat is on his warm side.

I just had a quick check on him and found what appear to be two very small white balls of white hard pressed toilet paper in his hide. Unsure if this is a "very" bad shed or remains of the mouse he ate just the other day :/ Maybe better I upload a pic later..

On another note i've been offerered a columbian rainbow boa at 13 weeks complete with 3ft viv for £115 and have to say i'm tempted!! God help me i'm becoming addicted already lol! Anyone know the temperament of this snake?

Cj

I am a little concerned.. I highlighted in bold what worries me. If you have the snake near a radiator and a heat mat. Do you have the heat mat controlled by a thermostat? Also how are you to know how hot the Radiator is making it in the viv? If you are gone and the heat kicks on for a bit you could roast your snake.

As far as the little white balls.. a pic will help but it could be Urates ( pee). My Royal has passed some that look kind of like wadded up wet toilet paper.

I would say hold off on getting any more snakes until you are comfortable taking care of this one.

[CJNetrider]

Point taken re another snake.. I had already given thought and guess I was a bit over enthusiastic and was more interested in his viv. Problem is the guy wasn't prepared to sell without snake.

Gungirl, I have the heat mat regulated by a Habistat and that's one thing I am constantly checking. I have the probe positioned on top of the mat below the faunarium due to heat rising and keep a close eye on the temp reading inside. My concerns over this was the thermometer that was supplied when I got him.. Its a exo terra "clock dial type" that seems cheap and i've already ordered a new digital one with seperate probe so I can get a more accurate reading. The reading as I type (21.40) is 76 degrees F and the radiator has been just turned off. When on with heat mat it was giving a reading of 79/81 degrees F daytime. I have held him to see if he is swaying to the high or cold side, but nothing I could say was untoward. The digital should be here tomorrow morning and i'm going for the 24" viv so i'll have a half decent set up until he needs bigger.

Re the white stuff.. i've added pic below and have a feeling you're right on this one. It has a nasty smell to it akin too errr poop. Anyway, here it is alongside a radiator valve key for size idea.



Thanks for the input

[Gungirl]

Ok the white stuff is snake pee (Urates)...

I am glad you are on top of getting it all set up right!