Help: Ball Python: Mites

[XoVictoryXo]

Thanks guys!
The more I handle him the less scared I get! LOL

He is getting an upgrade on the size of his tank soon, and it will have a padlock on it. I also added a UTH for his current enclosure, he seems to really like it. Hubby refused to use paper towels or newspaper as the substrate though, he insisted on keeping him on aspen - of course it was a new bag of it however, from a different store which we carefully inspected.

 

[cricket4u]

He sure is handsome! He can run into problems shedding and dehydration housed in a glass tank, so provide a low water dish big enough to soak in. Make sure hubby does his Ball python research. :biggrin:

 

[XoVictoryXo]

He sure is handsome! He can run into problems shedding and dehydration housed in a glass tank, so provide a low water dish big enough to soak in. Make sure hubby does his Ball python research. :biggrin:

I just edited my above post then saw your post!
Ok cool- we did get him a big water bowl he can use to soak, but for whatever reason he removed it for a smaller one. good point there. Hubby has been misting the cage once or twice a day for humidity but I know that doesnt do much to keep up humidity levels. He did use that big bowl at first then removed it- he keeps switching things around in his tank LOL addle:
I actually saw this particular hide/water bowl combo yesterday and think I should get it, what do you think?

(he does all his research on youtube lol, *eyeroll* )

 

[cricket4u]

I just edited my above post then saw your post!
Ok cool- we did get him a big water bowl he can use to soak, but for whatever reason he removed it for a smaller one. good point there. Hubby has been misting the cage once or twice a day for humidity but I know that doesnt do much to keep up humidity levels. He did use that big bowl at first then removed it- he keeps switching things around in his tank LOL addle:
I actually saw this particular hide/water bowl combo yesterday and think I should get it, what do you think?

(he does all his research on youtube lol, *eyeroll* )

You tube can be damning. Tell him to register at a snake forum. Also tell him to stop removing things. He is not doing his handsome buddy any favors. If he feels it's too crowded, he needs to go with a longer enclosure. Set-up before pet!addle: Just don't tell him I said so.:lol:

You want a sturdy dish so that the water won't spill, especially due to the fact he may defecate in it. It's a good idea to keep one large dish and a small.

 

[Aimless]

big ceramic casserole dishes or dog dishes are great for an un-spillable water dish. for hides, upside-down flower pots with an opening chipped in the bottom or side works great.

if you really get a wild hare, you can paint them over with acrylic craft paint and then you have a water-tight, washable, non-toxic finish

hmm...to much cage-tetris can stress your little guy. I'd just leave him alone for a bit and let him acclimate. it's been a busy few weeks, right?

 

[cricket4u]

Not right now, I meant in time(don't think he will run out now to spend more money). I just like to offer at least a hide on each side. All this furniture ends up taking up a good amount of floor space. There are really nice snake enclosures out there without the humidity loss above.

 

[XoVictoryXo]

He plans to get a nice big cage sometime this week that opens from the front and has a padlock to keep our toddlers hands OFF- not that shes interested anyhow lol.
SO soon we will have more room to put 2 hides in and a nice big bowl. ok so, 2 hides, 2 bowls one for drinking one for soaking, GOT IT.
I agree with moving things around a lot I think its stressful to Fang, Im going to stress that to hubby. He has been handling him daily however, cant seem to keep his hands off his new pet and let him relax LOL Ill let him know to let him acclimate before he stresses him to death.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Ill let him know to let him acclimate before he stresses him to death.

Very important. Especially around feeding time, immediately before and for 2 days after. Otherwise you risk them regurgitating, and if that happens, you could be in for a world of trouble.

~Maggot

 

[brooksylc]

Definately get hubby on a snake specific forum, I am on a couple if you want suggestions PM me.
You can modify a screen top tank to lose less humidity by adding plastic/wood or glass to cover a big portion (but not all) of the tank. You can also provide a home made humid hide as a back up.
And BPs can get stressed easily. They need their time to settle in and like previously mentioned, no handling before or for 2 days after feedings.

 

[XoVictoryXo]

Duly noted.
I am passing along/enforcing(lol) all of this info and intend to join a snake board. He tends to avoid the internet unless its youtube!

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Duly noted.
I am passing along/enforcing(lol) all of this info and intend to join a snake board. He tends to avoid the internet unless its youtube!

YouTube is where most reptiles go to die, unfortunately. I refuse to watch any reptile videos on there anymore - too depressing.

~Maggot

 

[XoVictoryXo]

Came home to see yet another surprise lol. Fang is now in a HUGE front opening exoterra tank. Has 2 hides...two water bowls and 2 branches. A uth and a lamp. He ate today and then was put into his new tank.. I told hubby he NEEDS to leave him alone now because he is loving/ smothering him to death. Pix of this tank later its really pretty and spacious...!

 

[XoVictoryXo]

Here is his new house.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Um, I don't think that's going to be much use for a BP. Keep in mind they're pretty much entirely terrestrial and get 3-5 feet. And you still need the temp gradient like you do with a leopard gecko, except each temp area needs to be large enough for a decent-sized snake. How big is it exactly?

~Maggot

 

[brooksylc]

That's an 18"x18"x24"tall exo terra. I use those for my cresties, but originally got my first leo with one of those (I didn't know better back then). Soon as I found out it was the wrong tank for my leo, I got her a 20gal long and then discovered crested geckos when I looked up what would fill it well. Hint, hint you could always fill it with an arboreal gecko...
However I would look for a long style tank, or you could suggest a Rubbermaid/Sterilite tub. I use those for all my snakes at the current time. It allows me to control the airflow & humidity by drilling as little or as many holes as the reptile needs. This is also nice if you plan to increase enclosure size as the reptile grows. Just my suggestion.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Tanks are good because they let you view the snake, but keep in mind you'll probably need to cover part of it to keep the humidity that BPs need. Tubs work well to keep in heat and humidity, and as brooksylc said, you can alter it to suit your needs.

Also, you reeeaaally gotta get your husband on that snake forum. XD

~Maggot

 

[XoVictoryXo]

Oh dear He is going to be really upset he spent a lot of money on that tank. But he should have known better! he covered the top with a towel for humidity. I wonder if we can keep him in there for a while till he grows a bit, Fang is still tiny right now and has had such a crazy month. Im going to talk to him about rubbermaid bins. His main concern was getting a combination lock- he wanted to make sure his daughter stays out and doesnt get injured .

Oh heyyy- Guess what!!!! I think this tank will work out great for my (far) future BELOVED pet Tokay. LOL

The tank is huge though Im not sure if those are correct measurements Ill look on the box when I get home.
(did i mention i have a stubborn hubby? He wont join a message board Looks like I will have to join, and i HATE being the newbie all over again, its intimidating!)
thank you so much for all your help (and patience) guys, i really appreciate it!

 

[hollinasia]

You can always boil or bake wood, it will kill anything living inside of it. There are several types of mites, and other things that can be crawling in them, and not even all pet stores treat their wood before sale. Baking is more suited for most reptiles, boiling is more suited for fish tanks as the wood changes the quality of the water and boiling it removes a large ammount of tangents. (I think i spelt that right)