Hola / Hello, yada yada

[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! :yes:

[infernalis]

What kind of snake do you have??

sSnakeSs.com - Rules (http://www.ssnakess.com/index.php?page=rules)

http://www.thamfriends.com/mat.jpg

[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.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af184/teaninja/bp007-1.jpg

[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)

[My/first/Snake]

Sorry, my second post never made it, the pic was two big...but I do have an under the heater on there, still is way to cold at night. gonna try the plastic though.

[stephanbakir]

adding plastic to the top and sealing it more will keep allot more heat in.

[My/first/Snake]

Mr fuzzy is still alive, I do try feeding in another container, but not heated or anything like that.

[stephanbakir]

Try in the snakes terrarium but watch him closely, snakes can get hurt BAD by rodents...
Never leave a live prey item of ANY kind alone with your snake.

Once you get him eating, switch him over to frozen/thawed asap.

[marionsclan]

I have a heat bulb of 100W in my tank that is red which snakes can't see and I leave that on 24/7 to keep the temp at the warm side constant. I also have a uth to keep the bottom heated.

I do have a screen top but I put Coroplast over it which has been helping a lot to keep the humidity steady.

Try investing in a deflector shield for your light bulb so that all heat is directly into your tank.

[My/first/Snake]

Progress report: Well it seems that through ALL your advice, tips, and tricks, we are up to a balmy 90% in our snake condo. I ended up using aluminum foil on the top, cut away for the light fixtures. One basking light for day, replaced with red basking light for night. Still have the UTH in there to one side also. Spraying in there a couple of times a day to give moisture, and there we have it. Now if I could just get him to eat a little something (or someone :no: ) Kidding! Thanks again everyone! AL

[stephanbakir]

Glad to hear you have things more or less under control :) Keep in mind that with what you added, heat will stay in the terrarium more readily, and without a thermostat you may just end up with a roasted snake.

[My/first/Snake]

Sound advice, thermostat has been pretty steady at 90 degrees Fahrenheit so I think I am all set. 94 was the highest is gotten so far. I also add a bigger swimming pool to give him something to soak in. So I have had him for a solid week now, I was told that tueday is normal feeding day for him/her. I have not yet gotten it to eat, how often should I try? Once a week maybe? Love some good advice on this issue. Thanks again, AL

[stephanbakir]

Once a week. and even though Tuesday is the food day his breeder had him at, if you have another preferred day, thats fine, switch it... Once switched attempt to keep it stable at that day though.

[My/first/Snake]

Pretty sure it must be a hatchling based on size, and I have know Idea its its ever eaten. Seems healthy from all points, no signs of anything being wrong, doesn't appear to be getting ready to shed or anything like that. I'll shut up now and see what you guys think.

[My/first/Snake]

For such a young snake, how long before I should be concerned?

[stephanbakir]

Time isn't the biggest worry because they can go a long time, the reason should be your concern. There is a reason he isnt eating. Could be sick, stressed, not hungry or picky, try and find out which it is.
Unless he looks emaciated you are fine.

[NennaMeerkat]

Snakes can go months without eating.

Here is my advice. Considering how much changing variables in heat and how much you have messed with his tank I would suggest (after the temps are where you want them) leaving him 100% alone. Refill the water bowl and just leave him alone. After a week feed the live fuzzy inside the tank. Keep in mind live prey has the ability to kill a snake, especially an inexperienced one who might not be used to handling live prey.

Also keep in mind Balls are nocturnal so if you are leaving lamps on 100% of the time you are liable to confuse the snake and stress it out...thus not eating. Feed the snake after the lights are out and the room is dark. Get a red spectrum light (basically a red lightbulb) for night when you are feeding it. Snakes can't see the red light and this means no stress while you can see what is going on.

[My/first/Snake]

OK that's what I will do, I have started using the red basking light at night to keep the night time temp up, so I am already there. Now I will leave him set. Thanks again. AL

[NennaMeerkat]

Good luck! I got a picky hognose snake that went off feed for 2 months (nearly) because she didn't like where she was in the house and she didn't enjoy being fed outside her tank. You sorta have to find what works for the snake and go from there.

Keep us updated!!

[My/first/Snake]

Thanks, I had no idea that this was going to have so many variables. I look forward to learning as much as I can along the way. I have him set up on a small end table near the tv (bad choice I know) so I should remedy that today, get hm settled in to where he should be permanently and go from there. Thanks again, AL

[NennaMeerkat]

You should consider a room you don't use often. I know you buy a snake to look at and to be seen but in all honestly they are secretive creatures by nature and so feel more secure NOT being in the lime light...so to speak. Once they get used to being in a new home then you can bring them out and show them off. I had my hognose in my living room as well and she was always hiding and always stressed out to the max. Now, about 3 weeks ago, I moved her into the bedroom (no one ever goes in there except to sleep) and she is much happier overall and the best part...eating again!

So its all about making the snake comfy.

[Lankyrob]

Tho it can be different snake to snake, i have all my reptiles in my living room, to get from the door to the couch you havd to walk right by the glass doors. I have cats and a dog and kids in and out all day. All my snakes feed (i feed during quiet times admittedly), shed etc with no worries at all. You have to do what feels right for YOUR snake which you will learn over time.

[NennaMeerkat]

Tho it can be different snake to snake, i have all my reptiles in my living room, to get from the door to the couch you havd to walk right by the glass doors. I have cats and a dog and kids in and out all day. All my snakes feed (i feed during quiet times admittedly), shed etc with no worries at all. You have to do what feels right for YOUR snake which you will learn over time.

This is true too, and thank you for reminding me of that Lanky! Every snake is different from one another. I wish that my girl could be in the active part of the house but she enjoys her solitude LOL

[My/first/Snake]

So far hes pretty much a hider, good thing is the wife a 4 kids and 2 dog are all on vacation, so this will give him a week of quiet time to settle in. Then all heck will break loose! In my house there is no quiet, ever, even the bathroom offers little solace! Hope he squares himself away in a week!