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[My/first/Snake]

Hey Guys/ Gals, new to the forum,Names Al, just wanted to say Hi. In upstate NY. I just got my first real snake. One is didn't catch myself anyway. Seem to have messed up a bit already (sort of). General consensus seems to be to leave your snake be for a week before messing with it, holding it? Is this the best advice? Also seem to be having trouble keeping the ambient temp up. How do I keep an 10 gal. aquarium warm all night? I have an under tank pad, a fluorescent hood lamp (w/ reptile bulb) and a desk lamp directly on it just to try to raise the temp and it still doesn't seem to be enough! Seems that 80 degrees is the warmest part of the tank. I am guessing that look at the past posts is the best idea. Sorry, brain fart!

[infernalis]

What kind of snake do you have??

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[stephanbakir]

Welcome, post pics!
does it have a screen top?

[marionsclan]

You say you have lamps but are any of them heat lamps? Also, if you have a screen top you need to close up everything except for the part where the lamp is. That should keep the temp up in a 10 Gal.

Also, make sure the tank is not close to an air conditioner or a vent or in a general cold area.

[stephanbakir]

Once you seal the top, the temp will skyrocket, make sure to have a thermostat.

[TeaNinja]

i put tape on both sides of the top of my BP's tank to help hold in the heat and humidity, you can see the shine in the picture from the tape.

[My/first/Snake]

Sorry, That's pretty important, I have a Baby Ball, seems to be about 15 inches, just got it on friday. Haven't gotten it to eat yet. After getting it from the breeder, trying to get it settled in. I guess I'm not to surprised its not eating yet.. Tuesday is normal feeding day, when they were being fed. I'm not even sure how long to leave it with the fuzzy before giving up. I know you don't feed in the cage he lives, but how long is call it quits? Look forward to the help. Thanks guys, AL

[My/first/Snake]

Here is the set up, the only diffference is that I added two dest top halogen style lamps on either side to bring up the heat. I will get out tomorrow and get a proper heat lamp for the top. I do have a screen on top, covered with rolled up towels to keep the heat in. Right now it looks to be about eighty six. When I got up this morning it was 70. I do have an under tank heat mat. Its getting there, should have it worked out pretty quickly. I really appreciate the help, thanks guys. Al

[My/first/Snake]

Wow, did I have a time resizing the picture, hope this works, this is my pet snake Richie (first Indiana Jones movie) I didn't show that there are two halogen desk lamps on either side. (temp, I get paid tomorrow) then its off to the pet store. this morning when I woke it was 70 in the tank. Its 85 right now. Getting there. I do have a screen on top, but have rolled up towels to keep in the warmth. What are you guys doing about night time heat? Its been unseasonably cool at night here in Western NY, so warth at night has been a problem. Look forward to all the help getting it figured out, thanks guys. Did I mention its a baby ball about 15 inches long? Thanks again, AL

[stephanbakir]

A uth can help at night, and a towel rolled on top will rob you of valuable humidity, try saran wrap or something that doesn't absorb moisture

[TeaNinja]

tape on both sides like i did is great for screen tops. i used long strips of packing tape.

[My/first/Snake]

Sorry whats a uth (that the black light? ) but good idea, didn't think about the towels absorption. Thats why you guys are the experts.

[stephanbakir]

UTH= under tank heater. its heat tape with an electrical plug on the end.

[My/first/Snake]

Oh, and how long do i leave him with his fuzzy before packing it it and calling it a night?

[stephanbakir]

You can leave it overnight assuming its dead. Try getting tongs and playing with it in front of him (don't touch his face because you might break the feeding response and scare him)