Getting a Ball Python
My wife and I have been talking about getting a snake for about a week now, and today at her work someone just happened to come in and ask if anyone wanted a snake. It’s a ball python. I’ve been reading all day, but have a few questions.
1. I’ve read most places that say the temperature can be allowed to drop at night, but doesn’t explicitly say it’s necessary. I’m wondering if the tank must be cooler at night, or if it just can be? I don’t want to forget to turn the light off, or on and have ill effects.
2. The snake is about 1.5 feet long, and about the size of a 50 cent piece, can anyone estimate the age?
3. Can frozen mice/rats just be thawed overnight, or do they need to be soaked in warm water?
Thanks for the help.
You should have one side warmer than the other in your habitat and if you forget to turn it on or off, even up to a couple of days, it won’t hurt the snake.
We purchased heating pads that stick onto the bottom and side of the tank and just leave them on. Then turn the lamp on during the majority of the day. So to answer you question, it isn’t necessary for the tank to drop just at night, as long as your snake has options.
I’m not familiar with sizes and ages yet, I’m still learning, as well.
As for the rat/mice, it needs to be fresh, otherwise it will start to stink horribly. Soak it for about 15 minutes before feeding in warm water.
Good luck! Hope I helped and you find your other answer.
cdwells is right about the side of the tank. The temperature will drop a little bit naturally since the ambient temperature of your house will lower slightly at night. This is fine and a normal occurrence. Just make sure that the snake has a hide on the warm side and one of the cool side.
I’m not an expert either but that sounds a little smaller than my snake was when I first bought it… I believe he was around 3 months old when I bought him. I think size greatly depends on the feeding schedule and habitat conditions. Also, males are smaller than females.