Bella, the ball python

[beardie_love]

Bella is a normal ball python, who I got from the reptile expo yesterday. Not sure of her age, but I will be contacting the breeder to find out.

I planned on getting a snake at the expo for a while, but plans changed. But when I went there, I couldn't resist the ball python!! ;D


Here are some photos I took of her quickly:

Since I didn't have a setup for her already, I just had this plastic shoebox till I went out and bought a large container for her to live in:

Some pics of me holding her (getting used to holding a snake, because I've only held a snake maybe like 3 times in my life!!!!):

Just on my floor:

Making her getaway lol:

Her setup so far. It's a 35" x 17" sterilite container, but I had to section it off because I didn't want her to feel overwhelmed. I just need to make another hide box.

Funny thing about the sectioned off part, is that Bella was on TOP of the divider. So I took it out and she's doing good so far. She love love loves that plant too!

 

[ladyknite]

pretty little baby there.
When is feeding day? Balls like to hide if they can. Those huge water bowls you can flip upside down make them very happy. lol

 

[beardie_love]

Thanks! ;D Feeding day will be Friday, so that if we're out for a weekend, it's okay because we can't hold her for a day after she eats.

Those huge water bowls you can flip upside down make them very happy. lol

But if I flip it upside down, she won't be able to get underneath it? ;D

Do you own balls, Gina?

 

[ladyknite]

no comments from the peanut gallery...........(you secretly know who you are)

me?? balls???? how does one properly answer that question?

Yes, a few

those big dog bowls are light weight. trust me, she can get under it.

do you have heat for her?

 

[beardie_love]

me?? balls???? how does one properly answer that question?

LOL. I thought that might sound... odd. Oh you know what I meant. ;D

I have a heating pad, but it's not in use right now. But I have a question about the heating. My room is always 85*F or hotter during the day. Right now, my room temp is 89*F. When I used my heating pad for my leopard gecko, the temp was too hot. It got to 94*F, and it was probably going to get hotter. Any suggestions? Other than a thermostat, because they are ridiculously expensive. Not in my budget atm.

 

[ladyknite]

work the heating pad on the back of her enclosure for now. Keep it close to the bottom tho.
That will do until winter.

If she doesn't take to food this week, contact the breeder. The end of the week should be a good time to feed.

 

[beardie_love]

On the back? She's in a shallow sterilite container.

How hot is too hot for her?

 

[ladyknite]

the container she's in looks pretty long right? Is that one of the under the bed storage boxes or one of the taller ones? Pics are deceiving........it looks taller.

If it's not tall enough........use the very last 6 inches of bind to place the pad under. she'll have a decent gradient while you get accustomed to her temps.

I actually keep my tanks around 90F on the hot end and around 80ish on the cooler side. I find my animals eat better and digest better under those temps.

you'll want to watch the water bowl inside her enclosure. Make sure condensation doesn't build up.

 

[beardie_love]

Yeah, it's long. 35" x 17". It is the under the bed storage boxes. It's about 7" high, give or take.

If I use the heat pad, the temp on the hot side will definitely go up, over 90*F, as my room is already 89*F.

 

[ladyknite]

Take a 24 hour ambient reading of the hot side and the cool side. Before you go to sleep be sure to take it and as soon as you wake up. Her ambient may be a little more or less than yours. Getting that 24 hour reading on her will let you know if you need to alter anything.

With your room already being 89F tho.....you're most likely fine and definately well within the safe zone.

 

[beardie_love]

Okay I will check those temps and get back to you.

With your room already being 89F tho.....you're most likely fine and definately well within the safe zone.

Meaning I won't need the heat pad, and she'll be okay at room temp?

 

[ladyknite]

She should be, unless your ambient temps change drastically.
Here our temps in August typically go up causing a rise in ambient. Even at that, she should be fine.
However, if they drop where you're at, you'll want a good accurate reading. Don't let the cool side get down past 80.

 

[beardie_love]

Don't let the cool side get down past 80.

But at room temperature, it's the same temp throughout. There's not really a cool side? ???