Pictures of your ball python homes!!!!

[Tyler99]

Please post pics, because Im confused on what I should do and I would like to see what yours looks like!!

[Tim_Cranwill]

Read this: http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~cranwill/faq6.html

I suggest you start off simple and then see what you can add or need to subtract from there once the snake is feeding and shedding properly.

[mykee]

Yeah! I forgot I can do that too!
For a few pics and some info, check out:
www.strictlyballs.ca/snakerack.html
and for some answers to some of your questions, you can check out:
www.strictlyballs.ca/faq.html under Housing FAQ's.
Hope it helps.

[Tyler99]

Thanks. I read that you said that you should hook up a reostat to the reptile heat pad. Well how do you do that? and what is a reostat??? Im sorry about all th Qs mykee, but I really want to know how to make everything perfect.

[mykee]

Firstly, I don't use heat pads, I use heat tape (big difference). A reptiel heat pad is ok if you have one or two enclosures to heat, but if you have a racks worth of enclosures, heat tape is the only logical route. A rheostat or dimmer plugs in to whatever heat source you are using (UTH, heat tape, human heat pad, etc.) and regulated the amount of power going to the heat source so that you can "set" the proper temps that you want. This is a necessary device if you use a heat source, period. You would through trial and error, set the dial (or digital display in more expensive models) to a certain spot, and monitor the temps, when you reach the perfect temp, the rheostat, dimmer, proportional thermostat will not allow any additional power to go to the heat source if your temp is achieved, thereby virtually eliminating any chances of a temp spike and overheating.

[Tyler99]

Ok, I was suggested that I should cut out a part of the rubbermaid cover, screen the top, then use a heat lamp. How would this work out. Dont for get the rubbermaid is kindof tall.

[mykee]

Regardless of what you may have heard here or anywhere else, a heat lamp is a TERRIBLE source of heat for a ball python. Terrible. Ball pythons don't float, they lay on their bellies all day, so logically belly heat is the best heat source for a ball python. Heat lamps also dry out the air. When you're trying to maintain 60% humidity +, a screen lid and a heat lamp just won't cut it.

[Tyler99]

Really?!?! Ok, well, I guess mabye on thursday Ill go shoppin for stuff. What should I get?? I would go tomarrrow, but Im sick...

[mykee]

A UTH, and a dimmer/rheostat of some sort. That's all you'll need for heat's sake. $50 maybe when all is said and done. Don't forget, get a UTH that covers approx. 1/4 - 1/3 of the overall floor space of his enclosure. You need to provide a good temp gradient for the ball to properly thermoregulate. I would also recommend you buy a book on the captive husbandry of bp's, it can't hurt.

[VI Reptiles]

Think of it as a hazard to your snake, think what would happen if the snake tried to get out and it put its head right up on the light.


VI Reptiles

[Tyler99]

My step dad just fouynd a human heating pad. I told him about the dimmer...You have to install it into the wall like a light switch??

[mykee]

No, you plug your heat source cord into the dimmer and then the dimmer into the wall. Go to the pet store, take a look around, and you'll understand what I'm saying.

[Tyler99]

OHHHHH!!!! Ok, I really didnt want to add a dimmer into my wall. So its some sort of divicE?

[paulsreef]

There is a good thread on building a dimmer box with a recepticle; but I suggest you get someone with basic electrical skills to assemble it. You can buy all the parts at home depot for around $10.

Paul.

[mykee]

Not a good idea. Too much chance of burning your house down. Yes, it's a device. Go to the reptile dept. at your local pet store and ask the see a rheostat. It's just a little box with a dial and an extension cord attached.

[Jeff_Favelle]

And don't cut out a hole and screen the top. That defeats the WHOLE purpose of using a Rubbermaid. Might as well use a fish cage (aquarium) if you're going to do that.

Sunbeam makes a nice heat pad for heating one or two enclosures. Its like $19 at WalMart or London Drugs.

[mykee]

"....use a fish cage (aquarium)"
That's funny Jeff.

[Tyler99]

LOL At petreptiles.com there tellin ME to cut out a screen??

[ChokeOnSmoke]

Personally I would listen to Tim, Jeff and Mykee. All three of them breed ball pythons.

[Tyler99]

Yes, They seem alot more knowledgeable here there there.

[paulsreef]

I look at it like this. People that work at pet shops or even professional herpatologists at zoo's or museums work from 9 to 5. Hobbyists on this forum work on their reptiles or amphibians 24 hours a day.

Paul.