EXCITED!

Discussion in 'Enclosures, Heating & Lighting' started by lizardgurl87, Apr 7, 2012.

  1. lizardgurl87

    lizardgurl87 HOTM Winner April

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    Just yesterday, when we were at the pet store to get crickets and a few items, we came across the same size tank I need for a BP(a 40G breeder). I'd seen one about a week before at another store for around $110, but this one was $50!!!! And, it includes a locking screen :D So, we ended up getting it-and it's now in my room(still in the box). Next Sunday there's a reptile show I'm going to where I can start getting supplies! So, I'm SO glad all of this is coming together much sooner then previously thought. I didn't know when I could a nice tank soon-and I was shooting for around my Bday(end of June)to ask for one if needed then. But now, I might be able to possibly get the BP by June around my Bday if I can accumulate all the supplies needed by then! Wow, I'm just so overjoyed from this recent steal! :p
    Well, now that I'm on here and plan to start buying supplies, what are the best supplies reccommended by everyone on here?
    I'd like to know best kind and brands of:
    -Bedding(I've heard aspen for snakes)
    -Dishes(for feeding, soaking, drinking)
    -Lighting(is UVB needed?)
    -Climbing things/Hides
    It would also be nice to know good temps/humidity levels, how often and what's reccommended to feed(I plan on frozen, but I'll also ask breeder before buying), how often to supplement and which ones?, and just any other tips or anything else that can be thought of.
    I could probably find this all in a book or online, but I'd much rather hear what you guys with experience and everything know! :)
     
    reptile boy and Louie like this.
  2. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  3. dogking

    dogking HOTM Winner September

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    YAY! glad to hear your plan is going ahead of schedule! I don't know brands, but I can answer a few of your questions! Aspen bedding is the good for a BP, but if you want you can use tile. You need a lodge enough dish for it to soak if it wants to. It does not need a UVB so a normal heat bulb will be fine(although it may be hard to keep up the humidity with one). I have a heat bulb and a UTH under a hide for nighttime, and I spray the tank with water to keep the humidity up. They like anything from logs to plastic hides. I have a upside-down flower pot and a fake log that he loves to sit under! I feed frozen/thawed mice, but I need to switch to rats soon :( I think you have most of the facts!
     
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  4. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  5. lizardgurl87

    lizardgurl87 HOTM Winner April

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    Thanks! I think I'd rather get a bedding he can burrow in instead of tile, though tile helps with heat, but bedding can retain humidity better. Just have to way the pros/cons sometimes and I didn't think they needed UVb, but wanted to check. I'm think I can keep the humidity up, though the BP tank is bigger, I have pretty high watt bulbs(100 in winter, 60 in summer)for my lizard tank and manage to keep the humidity pretty high. I'm sure I can find some hides and stuff then, but just want an idea of what other people use for them. I'll get a UTH or heat tape too to help.
    Do you have any plants or vines for climbing then? I've seen tanks with them where the snakes are up in them. Also, what are the temp/humidity levels needed?
    And, so your BP is getting pretty big then, right? Since he's starting to eat the rats now-are they harder to find? I know they cost more, since they're bigger, but if needed, couldn't you just feed him a few mice? Or do they like to eat a big meal all at once? I know they only eat like once every few weeks sometimes.
     
  6. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  7. lisa owens

    lisa owens Well-Known Member

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    congrats
     
  8. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  9. lizardgurl87

    lizardgurl87 HOTM Winner April

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    Thanks :)
     
  10. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  11. Louie

    Louie Member

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    Congrates on the new tank. Imagine you came across the $1 a gallon sale?

    The 40 breeder is fantastic.

    I use zoo-med eco earth for my snakes and love it and as far as holding humidity in easy enough with inexpensive plexi-glass plastic clear sheets sold at home depot, Lowes,etc .

    You simply lay them on screen top , ofcourse not under light if you use one and not only do they hold in heat but hold in humidity.
     
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  12. Karlee

    Karlee Member

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    Congrats on the BP plans.
    I am going to add something here. These animals are known to be problem feeders and are very reluctant to eat most times. I regret adding them to my list of beginner reptiles, because of all of these problems they have. Just be aware of what your getting yourself into.
     
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  13. dogking

    dogking HOTM Winner September

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    that is true, but it really depends on the snake. Mine is like a garbage disposal! it will take food every three days if I wanted it to! They can go off food for a little while, but they can deal with it well.
     
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  14. lizardgurl87

    lizardgurl87 HOTM Winner April

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    The tank was in a 1/2 off sale I think(with discount Pet Supplies Plus member card), but she told me they had the $1 per gallon sale the month before-where I could've gotten it for $10 less, but it was still a good deal.

    I had another post where I inquired about what kind of enclosure to get. I would like to get a specially made one, maybe made into a piece of furniture, like a table or cabinet that I've seen advertised, but they're pretty expensive! Some people suggested bins, which work well, especially for breeders, but I'm only starting with one and I would like a nicer one for display and viewing still. So, I ended up deciding trying to get a 40 breeder, since it's wider and slightly shorter than the long. I'm told the need more width than usual tanks too-so they can move more and they don't need as much height, so it seems logical.
    And, I'm glad I could get one for that price too! The sad thing is, the cashier said during the $1 per G sale, I could've getten a 55G for around the same price, but I don't know if we could've even fit it in the Jeep! And my dad had to lug it upstairs into my room too lol :p

    I already have some Eco-Earth I use for my frogs, so that works. :) It is sort of messy still, being, but it's dirt and all though lol-so you would put it on top of a screen or something? To dry it out or what? I'm still considering Aspen too, but I'll ask the breeders I'm considering on buying from what they use to get an idea too.

    I've been planning on getting a BP for awhile now, so I know what I'm getting into. I also have a whole BP book that includes multiple feeding procedures to take if neccessary, so you don't always have to resort to force-feeding if not needed. I will, of course, ask the breeder I acquire the snake from how it's been feeding and what it's been feeding on. And, like Dogking said, it all depends on the snake-they're all different.
    I also was expecting easier care when I bought my first reptile last summer-my anole. Though they are normally labled beginner, it's more intermediate, like BP's. Though they are "cheap", small lizards, they need a well-sized enclosure for climbing and high temps/humidity being tropical.

    I always research as much as I can animals I plan to acquire, so I'm prepared and I can provide what's best for them :)
     
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  15. Louie

    Louie Member

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    I add the water to the eco-earth weeks before using it and this way it is dry when I need it but you can dry it fast in sun like in this large pot I use to dry it.

    ZOO MED ECO EARTH.jpg

    I agree about tank better way better than a bin because this way you can see, enjoy the snake. Bin is opaque .

    Dry eco-earth isn't messy and does not stick to snakes and they can borrow in it.

    I have never kept BP but know some who do and never heard of them keeping the eco-earth damp . I would think a daily misting if needed would suffice but others here who keep them would know better.

    I agree the cages that look like furniture are very pretty but very expensive .

    http://www.cagesbydesign.com/t-majesticreptile.aspx
     
  16. Louie

    Louie Member

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    "I have a heat bulb and a UTH under a hide for nighttime, and I spray the tank with water to keep the humidity up"

    Can you keep BP with dry substrate just daily misting?
     
  17. Louie

    Louie Member

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    I have a friend who has a female piebald (think that is what it is called) that bites. I heard this is abnormal for a BP ?
     
  18. dogking

    dogking HOTM Winner September

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    yes, you can keep them on a dry substrate! you just have to keep the humidity a little higher since they are a forest dwelling reptile. It isn't normal for a BP to have a temper. Most are quite docile.
     
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  19. ajlista

    ajlista Well-Known Member

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    We've kept my bp on keepers choice, since i think before i wass even born, and hes a good 27 years old, i dont know much on ball pythons but the keepers choice that we are using seems to work well
    And our bp is extremely docile my dad has fallen asleep by mistake with her on him and when he woke up she was still right there, the only time shes ever bitten him is when he put a rat in, stupidly he stuck his hand to change the water while she was trying to find the rat and she struck his hand just for a second.
    So no i personally dont think they have a temper at all
     
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  20. lizardgurl87

    lizardgurl87 HOTM Winner April

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    I think I'm going to go with Aspen bedding first, to see how it goes. I do have a bucket of dry Eco-earth that I "made up" with water a few months ago I could use, but when you do mist(I do with my frogs) It seems to get everywhere for me I guess lol. The humidity is supposed to be sort of high(50-60%)from what I've heard, and I'll maintain it by misting and if needed I'll use my fogger. I'll also ask the breeders what they use for bedding too when I go to the show this Sunday :) I know a lot of breeders use newspaper or paper towels, since it's inexpensive- though not really for show.
    And I know they seldom are tempermental, unless they're provoked or something, also during feeding like you mentioned Ajilista. I also think that's great that you've had yours for 27 years! :D I've heard they can easily live 30, which is awesome! It can be more of a commitment, but I think has many more benefits and is sort of like a lifelong companion! :p
     
  21. Louie

    Louie Member

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    Thank you and wow 27 yrs is amazing.
     
  22. ajlista

    ajlista Well-Known Member

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    761
    Yeah, honestly im suprised, and she is still very very healthy, active during sometimes, and eats well, goes to the loo well, i take the intensive care of her though cause my dad thinks that he can just leave her and feed her every 2 months, i mean itworked for a good 25 years, but the past 2 years ive been taking more intesive care of her. Lol
     
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  23. Louie

    Louie Member

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    What type of extra care does she need at such an old age?
     
  24. Louie

    Louie Member

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    You are going to get your BP at a reptile show?
     
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  25. ajlista

    ajlista Well-Known Member

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    Baths when stuck shed, hanling bedding changes constant water changes, constant cleaning. etc.
     

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