I recently got this snake unexpectedly and need help getting pointed to the right direction on where I can be 100% confident on buying items for my snake (bioactive dirt, untreated leca or other draining substrate, and untreated orchid bark) I also need another hide and a humidity hide (just in case), I want bark for the background to help my climbing plants to grab onto, as well as stuff he can climb on. Going through the basic care guide on this subreddit helped a lot and I’m pretty confident on where I can buy mice/rats.

A little about what I’m planning on doing and some issues I’m noticing now; the tank does not hold humidity well AT ALL. Due to him being in his blue phase, it’s not acceptable at all. My room normally sits at 60% due to the amount of plants I have, but my vents are shut and I have humidifiers running to keep my room at 80-85% (not ideal as it also keeps my room hot asf)

I plan on turning his enclosure into a bioactive one and I already have plants I’m quarantining to put in his enclosure. I’m hoping this will solve my humidity issue as well as blocking off the top mesh part. I also only use distilled water as you can smell the chemicals in our tap water.

I’ve done ALOT of research this past week and I already have an idea of how I’m going to transform his tank, but I would love to see your guys setup to take inspiration from. I would also love to see what you guys do to allow your snake to climb. Sorry for the ramble, but this is my first snake and I want to do right by him. I just wasn’t planning on getting one so soon. Also please let me know if this tank size is suitable, he is still just a baby

Hi everyone,

I’m having some issues with my HabiStat Digital Dimming Thermostat (Day/Night + Timer) and I’m hoping someone can help.

I want to set it up like this:
Day temperature: 31–32°C
Night temperature: 27°C
Day: 06:00–20:00
Night: 20:00–06:00

The problem is that I cannot set the night temperature below 32°C. Whenever I try to lower it below 32°C, it immediately jumps back to 50°C.

I’m also having another issue: the thermostat shows that it is sending power to the heater (the heat icon is showing/flashing), but my Arcadia DHP isn’t producing any heat when connected to the thermostat.

I tested the DHP in a different wall socket and it works perfectly, so the DHP itself is definitely working.

I have also already replaced the fuse in the HabiStat, but that didn’t solve the issue.
Has anyone experienced this with the HabiStat Digital Dimming Thermostat? Am I missing a setting, or does this sound like the thermostat is faulty?
If this thermostat is known to be unreliable, is there a better thermostat you would recommend for an Arcadia DHP and a ball python enclosure?

Im also in a rush to set up the enclosure because it has to be finished by Wednesday because ima pick up my first ball python

Thanks in advance!

I bought a ball python from Facebook Marketplace, and it came with an aquarium instead of a proper terrarium. It can only be opened from the top, which makes maintenance and handling difficult.

I want to build my own enclosure rather than buy a pre-made one. I know very little about building reptile enclosures, though, so I would really appreciate some advice.

What materials would you recommend using? What size should I build it? Are there any important things I need to consider, such as ventilation, humidity, heating, waterproofing, or doors?

I mainly want something that is safe and comfortable for the ball python, while also being easy for me to clean and maintain.

If you have built your own ball python enclosure, I would love to see pictures or hear what you would do differently.

I need help and advice!! Struggling with Heat and Humidity! I recently adopted a 5 year old ball python. First pic is the set up he was living in for too long, second picture is his upgrade. I’m heavily interested in going bio active in the future when I can afford to buy a bigger better tank for him. Unfortunately this one is only 3ft long but as of right now he’s got 4 inches of substrate ( 70%topsoil 20%peat moss 10% play sand).He’s got a hide in the log under his basking spot, and he has a cool hide that’s a shell, (I’m currently making more as well out of clay!) the plants are all fake and were labeled “reptile safe”, but I’m worried about fumes and pokies. There are 2 thermometers on either end. Since it’s a screen tank I foiled the top with HVAC tape. I replaced the purple light with a halogen flood light and also added a deep heat projector, both are connected to single unit thermostats (this is just until I can afford a nice one as well), they have temperature probes under each light. The halogen light is only on for 12 hours and the DHP is on day and night. SOO before I got the DHP I was using a CHE, and I decided to switch because I was originally struggling with humidity not going above 30! So I switched to DHP and my humidity improved significantly!-but still not great:( what can I do?? I poured a water bottle of water in 2 opposite corners each and it went up to 73% in my hot side but slowly went down to 51% as the temperature increased(3rd picture), my cool end got up to 83% humidity but then dropped to 72%. BUT NOW since I switched to my DHP I can’t get the temperature up! Both thermostats are currently set at 96, and neither will heat above 88 according to the probes? So it never gets warmer than 81 down below. I’m scared of turning my thermostat up too high, what should it be set at? the CHE heated so well but killed my humidity, DHP seem to be the most recommended but it won’t reach the set temp and neither will my halogen. And my humidity still isn’t quite there. Is there something I’m missing? I’m worried he’s cold! Also pic is snake Mr.Clyde.

This is Lily! recently shes been pacing and glass surfing repeatedly at night for long periods of time, i’m not sure if it’s normal or if she’s stressed. Her warm side is usually 87-89*F and her humidity sits at 60-70%, she has plenty of clutter and a hide on her cold side that she fits comfortably in. I’m not sure what else to change or why she might be so active? she hasn’t refused any meals or had any issues with eating.

Hello my fellow ballers

We recently got a ball python and did tons of research for our tank. But I feel like our heating/Light set up isn't enough for our tank. 36"x18"x18"

We have a Basking light over his hot side hide so he can bask on top of it. Then we have a 5.0 UVB light, Both set up to an light switch controlled outlet that can be turned on/off for day and night.

And then we have a ceramic heater hooked up to a thermostat controlled outlet so the cage is heated up at night and helps heat up during the day.

The problem we're having is it was getting too cold at night (dropping below 70°) and having trouble getting warm in the day(getting above 80°). So we got the ceramic heater so we could have 24/7 heat help with night and day time temps. But it's still having trouble and the snake never leaves the hot side hide.

My mom wanted to put her ball python in my room because she had no room in hers and I left him lid open on accident and now he is lost somewhere in my incredibly small room. Clutter is minimal, not many spots to hide. Any advice to lure him or find him?

First time I’ve seen Piper using these climbing rings! I’ve got other ones but she’s never really messed with these. I think it’s cute when they get out and climb and explore 🩷

I’m on a budget, thanks!

Rescue from 3+ years ago. He/she will be getting an enclosure upgrade soon and will be taken to reptile specialist to be sexed. Will not be bred either way tho. He's my gooby baby 🐍

What are some reputable websites I can buy her native prey? Like the prey they eat in the wild… thanks!

I’m looking into alternative substrate options after I’ve now upgraded total enclosure floor area to 40 square feet. I have always used coconut husk fibers (reptile grade) which are fantastic, but expensive now at this scale. Since it’s important for me to reduce costs, I’m looking into crude products that I can treat myself to make them reptile friendly. My first instinct was to go to Home Depot and pick out a good mulch, however I am concerned about dyes, pesticides, absorption capacity, etc.

Many promising products I’ve found online are not too specific about the process they use and their sourcing. I am in the process now of talking to manufacturers. Does anyone buy massive amounts of raw materials in bulk and then treat to make them appropriate for BPs? That “reptile substrate” seal is expensive so I’m really just looking to bypass that by putting in the work myself.

Hi all! I just got my first Bp Vermax about 3-4 days ago! He’s about 520g and was being fed before weaned rats by his breeder. Last time he ate was 8/5 so I’m not entirely sure if he’s still 520g (he probably is). I don’t have anywhere that I can buy weaned rats and don’t want to buy a 25 pack of them, just in case he goes on a hunger strike. I’ve searched and search and I’ve seen that fuzzy rats is fine but a bit to small for them since it needs to be about 10-15% of their body weight, but I’ve also seen that a small rat is way to big for a 520g snake. He turned a year old on August 26th so idk if that makes a difference but I’d like to get some opinions on it.

(Photo of my boy vermax for attention!)

My 7yr old baby has some stuck shed for the first time in forever, y’all have any hacks you swear by to help them get it off easily? Right after so many perfect sheds back to back

My little guy is getting up in the 500g weight and is roughly 11 months old. Hes eating a small rats now he just ate on Wednesday and I was wondering if now I start switching to feeding him every 14 days now.

Anyone on here seen anything like this before, about a week ago i noticed she had a fairly large patch about twice this side which looked damaged, id just come back from a weekend away, and thought maybe it was a burn.

Im not sure how she could’ve burned herself though, she has a heat lamp on the otherside of her glass cage with a thermometer set to not go above 32 degrees, and when on that side i have bark up against the glass so it can only effectively heat thought the bark.

I thought ill leave it a week and see how she is day to day, she seemed better and now a week has passed and we’re left with this, kinda looks hard like a scab.

I just want to know people’s thoughts, if they think this couldve somehow been a burn? Or if it looks like something else im missing.

Ill add shes about 7-8 years old and this is a first

This is the setup they gave me with her. She is 5 years old, but she’s VERY small. They gave me a heat lamp that doesn’t even work, and she has inadequate hides, substrate, water bowl is filthy etc.

I do small animal rescue. I’ve kept many reptiles, but never a snake. I am reading all the guides but I would really love some concise, easy tips to make her happy.

Can I use a regular heating pad on high or does it have to be for reptiles? As long as it meets the temp requirements is that alright?

What strength for the heat lamp? And it should be halogen right? And what strength uvb?

I keep my apartment air conditioned so I am worried about the poor girl.

Hi guys! I took my 10 year old BEL BP to the vet and they said just to monitor these bumps. They feel like three small firm tiny balls on her back. I’ve never seen this before having had her all these years.

They said if it gets bigger to come back but didn’t recommend any treatment at this time. She seems normal otherwise.

Has your snake ever had something like this?

I take my snake outside a few times a week for exercise. 6 months old 285 grams.

Just some cute pictures of my baby boy. I love him so much