New, just bought another snake :]

[minaa]

Stephan, thanks! I have a smaller plastic bowl I can cut a piece out of for that purpose. S/he's using it now just fine, but after eating especially, I'm sure a smaller hide might be a welcome relief.

[minaa]

Is this any better? I wondered about the water dish, too, and tried the other bowl also. The snake was somewhat sprawled out under the first hide.

I made sure to take a nail file the edges after I cut them. Sharp plastic cuts like anything, even with these bowls. I've been wanting to do something with them for a while, so I hope the water dish is better, too.

[stephanbakir]

The problem with that bowl is you are just asking for it to be tipped over, dogbowl type things are much more stable.
The hide is fine sizewise, maybe a little high but should be fine.

[Nismo89]

I can't tell how much water you have in there but you definitely don't want to fill it all the way because it could be tough for the snake to get out and well you know what would happen then :/ In the picture the bowl looks a tad bit big but that could be the angle it was taken. How tall is the water bowl? You want it kind of like the hide where there is just enough room for the snake to coil up in it if it decides to.

[spots]

what are you using to keep her/him warm? hide is good size.

[minaa]

I am now using a ceramic bowl that is much lower to the floor. Any thoughts? I am a college student, so I can afford the bare essentials for a snake right now (can still feed her/him regularly and keep the terrarium clean with enough humidity, it's just all the bells and whistles I can't really afford).

[minaa]

I have a Repti-Therm mat attached to the outside. I have put my hand in the terrarium to check the ambient heat, and it's doing a good job so far. :]

[stephanbakir]

Looks allot better. Best of luck to you.

[spots]

just get your self a digital thermometer and a humidity gauge, to know your settings.

[Nismo89]

Bowl looks good size. Do you have some sort of heat control device on the heat mat (rheostat or thermostat)? If not you need to get one asap as the heating pad can get WAY to hot and burn the snake. If you're looking for a reliable cheap thermostat check out the hydrofarm thermostat on amazon it costs $30 give or take. I have two of them and they work great they are spot on I check temps pretty regularly with an IR temp gun which is another great investment. Do you have any sort of thermometer in the cage to check how hot it actually is on and above the glass? If no to that you need to get a probe thermometer asap or save money in the long run and buy a temp gun. You should also get a humidity gauge since I don't see one in the pics either. Also if the tank is sitting directly on the ground you need to put something to hold it up a little bit so that all the hot air from the heat mat doesn't get trapped under the enclosure (there should have been some little rubber spacers that came with the heat mat they work great or you could also use dvd cases or small books or something similar). One last thing I would recommend is covering the back and two sides with something (paper, cardboard, towels, shirts) to make the snake feel more secure. Sorry for the wrong write up just wanting to help you get everything perfect for your new little friend.

[minaa]

The heat mat is on the side of the enclosure, so I don't think burning him will be an issue. I plan on picking up the hemostat and thermometer in the next day or two--because I live in California, we don't get super cold days , so I don't *have* to rush out for heating supplies (it's currently 78 degrees in my apartment), I just have to keep the humidity proper in the tank . And, the power strip that the heat mat is off during the day (will change that when it gets cooler, of course). The tank is up against the wall, so I don't know if I need to get a back paper just yet...? Thanks for your suggestions, though! I am definitely keeping them in mind and adjusting when necessary.

[Nismo89]

Sounds good! No it shouldn't burn him with it being on the side but a heat control device still should be used just in case. IMO better safe then sorry. I live in the frozen tundra WI so i need a thermostat because right now it is like 45 F outside. I need to have a space heater in my herp room just to keep the temp in the room above 60 F.

[minaa]

Totally understandable. It'll be on my list of herp secondaries--the first step was to get him fed, housed, and comfortable!

[millertime89]

I had to turn the space heater on in my room today, supposed to drop into the 20s (F) tonight
your set up is looking better and better, he seems to like the little hide. Definitely get a thermostat, even if your place never gets cool enough to need it, its nice insurance, and you can find decent, cheap, IR thermometer guns on amazon, I got mine for something like 15 bucks plus shipping, and maybe keep the 5 dollar pet store special analog temp and humidity gauges in the viv at ground level, just for an extra bit of convenience.

[minaa]

I've already started my list, hehe~ I think a those thermometer guns are neat, anyway. However, I think the tank thermometer is more of an essential.

It's pathetic, really. Just like tattoos, I have this one one day and I'm already looking to increase my collection. I will behave, I will behave...