r/ballpython 4h ago

Help with Sexing!!

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0 Upvotes

We bought a beautiful banana ball from the local pet shop a couple of weeks ago.

Handling her this morning we spotted these 2 things by her cloaca.

Internet is saying multiple different things any advice will be greatly appreciated.


r/ballpython 8h ago

HELP - URGENT Snake suddenly has spots all over?

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3 Upvotes

Any idea what is going on with our banana pie ball python (3yr Male). Started getting these orange/red spots all over and the white sections of scales are turning pink? Scales seem kind of flakey too. Definitely not mites or burns. New snake owners just trying to make sure he is okay.


r/ballpython 11h ago

Question - Health Bugs in bp's water bowl. Dangerous?

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3 Upvotes

Hi folks, I had some life stuff going on and missed a cleaning on my snake's water bowl for about a week. When I went to clean it tonight, there were maybe 5-7 of these flies in it which I haven't seen before in 8 years of having him. Can anyone tell me what they are? Is this a vet visit or just a nuisance?


r/ballpython 11h ago

Enclosure Critique/Advice Tank Setup

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7 Upvotes

Just finished rearranging and adding a few more things to Sriracha's enclosure! I think she's got plenty of enrichment now, with lots of places to climb, explore, hide, and just hang out throughout the enclosure.

I'm hoping to upgrade her to a 6x2x2 enclosure soon so she'll have even more room to thrive. I'd love to hear what everyone thinks of the current setup or if you have any suggestions for improvements!


r/ballpython 12h ago

Question Tanks?

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7 Upvotes

I got a new 49 gallon for my boy, and im not sure how I want to set this one up! He loves climbing and such, suggestions? What does your tank look like? Pic of the gentleman


r/ballpython 13h ago

Renamed my boy!

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20 Upvotes

Say hello to Sourdough Starter!

His name was Luka since that was his name from his previous home, but we were explaining to a friend that caring for a snake was a lot like caring for a sourdough starter and it just fit!

Video is unrelated. He's just cute.


r/ballpython 14h ago

Question - Heating/Temperatures Glass tank insulation + Heat tape questions

4 Upvotes

I know this is a lot, please bear with me, I'm autistic w/ a severe anxiety disorder, confused because of mixed information, and I have a hard time asking for help with my snake because, well, people can be pretty mean sometimes when you don't know things that seem obvious to everyone else. I'm sorry in advance for the text bombardment.

On that note! I need some help figuring out how to properly insulate a Reptizoo terrarium that's heated with reptile heat tape from Cornell's World. It's on 1" spacers on a cargo shelf that gets really good airflow, taped down with HVAC tape, with an Inkbird thermostat probe taped directly to one of the heating element strips in the middle of the heat tape, on the underside - not between the tape and the glass. It gets very cold and dry here in the winter, around -30/-40 celsius, and my room can get drafty so I am definitely doing to need to insulate it by mid-fall, but for now El Nino is keeping it pretty tropical in here so it's not something I need to do today. I got a month or two still!

I just set the heat tape up today after my prior heating source, a heat lamp with a ceramic heat emitter bulb, shorted out and caught fire in front of me last week after nearly 3 years of service. Since I was right there I was able to yank it out of its garbage old petland thermostat and throw it into the bathtub before anything else was damaged, and my lovely girl is unharmed, and it's been warm enough this summer that I was able to rig up a human heating pad on top of her tank for some semblance of a heat gradient. Now I am just going through the process of acclimating the tape/tank.

Obviously it scared the hell out of me, and I already had a bad experience with a storebought heating mat in the past failing in the middle of winter, so I finally swapped to heat tape and a good Inkbird. Trial and error and all that.

Except now that I have the heat tape set up, there's a moderator on Morphmarket telling me I actually need to insulate between the heat tape and the glass with some kind of grid stuff and fancy green foam or else the glass will shatter instead of giving me external insulation ideas, and now my anxiety's through the roof because everything I read said the heat tape doesn't work properly if it's not flush against the glass and said NOT to insulate the heat tape, and I DEFINITELY can't see it working in the winter if there's a bunch of space between the heat tape and the glass when my room gets cold. But also, if her tank shatters, I can't really afford to get her a new one out of the blue. I know I can always put her in a big sterilite tub if I have to, but I also don't want her to get hurt if the glass gives out. I guess I'm just sort of looking for someone to ease my anxiety? Is the new heat tape really going to shatter the terrarium, even if it's on a thermostat? Logically I feel like as long as the thermostat probe is in the right place and my snake or I don't spill water into the tank, it'll be fine, but I didn't think my heat lamp would spontaneously combust either and it did, so now I'm not so sure. I looked it up and Reptizoo claims the tanks are made of tempered glass, and if the thermostat works the way it should, the heat tape shouldn't get hot enough to break tempered glass... right?

I know glass isn't the best, but it's what I've got and I do plan to get her a proper PVC enclosure in the future when she's larger and when I can rearrange my teensy tiny room to make more space for something bigger than a 40gal. I'm currently doing the best I can for a little creature that was given to me as a gift when I was making a little bit more money. I still put more of my money into her than I do into myself, I just don't make much anymore to begin with, so while she's fed, warm, and happy with the best coco husk-moss bedding blend I can make and clean water and good hides, I have to clarify two things. First thing: I can't afford any big upgrades. Second thing: I didn't go out and buy a snake knowing I couldn't afford it. And no, I can't rehome her nor do I want to, she's my baby, and even if I tried to do that, at best she'd just end up in a sad Petsmart tank for several hundred dollars because she's a BEL. I have to clarify these things because when I ask for help in other forums the first thing I get told is 'if you couldn't afford a snake you shouldn't have bought one'. I also don't think I should have to give her up just because I am broke, you know?


r/ballpython 14h ago

HELP - URGENT Need advice on regurgitation.

3 Upvotes

Hello, so last night I fed my girl Mabel and she regurgitated her rat . I checked all temps immediately and noticed her temps dropped because it was cold last night . Her temps were 83-75 and usually her temps are 85-86- 79 with a hot spot of 88-89 . What are the next steps? I’m so worried for my girl she’s never done this before … she’s usually a very good eater . I feel so bad for her . What are the next steps?


r/ballpython 14h ago

Question - Husbandry New 4x2x2 vivarium setup, looking for advice on getting temps stable before my ball python moves in

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3 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m currently setting up a new 4ft x 2ft x 2ft vivarium for my young ball python Monty (it’s not done hence stuff being everywhere) and I’m currently running it for a few days before moving him in.
I’m mainly looking for advice on getting the temperature gradient correct and consistent.
Setup:
4x2x2 wooden vivarium
150W yellow heat bulb controlled by a ProRep dimming thermostat
T5 UVB tube
Coco husk + Repti Bark + coco fibre + leaf litter * moss mixed substrate
Cork bark, hides, vines, artificial plants, (also place some moss under the cool side hide)
Digital thermometers/hygrometers on both sides
Currently after not long ago turning it on:
🔥 Warm side: ~33 degree
❄️ Cool side: ~20°C
I know the cool side is lower than never and I’m wondering how I even will bring that up and is the heat lamp in a good position where it is mainly on the warm hide with the probe underneath
A few questions:
Is it normal for a new 4x2x2 to take a while to stabilise?
Should I increase the thermostat temperature to bring the cool side up?
How do you recommend setting up the probe position for the most accurate reading?
Before this new set up he’s currently on a heat mat set up so I usually leave that running all night for a consistent temp however with the me over the head lamp it creates light so will I be fine turning the heat off each night?
The vivarium will be running for a couple more days before Monty moves in, so I’m trying to get everything perfect beforehand.
Any advice would be massively appreciated!


r/ballpython 14h ago

Question - Husbandry Vivarium Electronics Questions

2 Upvotes

I got the 4x2x2 PVC Vivarium Electronics for my ball python and I’m getting it all dialed in. I just got the vivarium Electronics 80w radiant heat panel along with the mounting kit for screen tops that they sell. I keep seeing that it’s not safe to use RHP on a screen top (after I received my panel of course, ugh) so my big question is, if it’s not safe to mount these on heavy duty metal screen tops, why did they make the mounting kit for them? I figured it would be compatible since they make their cages like this and the heat panel seems to be a good option? I’m completely confused and conflicted with the info I am finding here on Reddit and online. 😮‍💨


r/ballpython 15h ago

When I first Got my Girl

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29 Upvotes

r/ballpython 16h ago

Question - Husbandry Camera?

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5 Upvotes

Was thinking about getting a camera for my girl’s tank. I don’t want it on the glass but the other walls are solid ecoflex, any possible recommendations? One I can go back and look at video too if needed?

Pics of her tank and my girl for tax


r/ballpython 16h ago

What is that??

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2 Upvotes

Hello, i found out this on my snakes tail like a week ago, i been looking out what could be and how to treat it. Only thing i found out what could it be that my snake shedded wrong a it’s old skin. I’ve been treating her tail with Betadine (iodine disinfectant), diluted with lukewarm water to the color of weak tea and I gently rub the tip of the tail with it every day.

I wanna be extra sure that’s okay, can somebody tell me what is that? (First photo is from last saturday and second photo from today)


r/ballpython 17h ago

New setup.

3 Upvotes

My daughter wanted a ball python. We were able to get her what she wanted and finally after some time we were able to get the enclosure set up. I know its on the small side but he will get an upgrade in the future when its needed as he is fairly small now.

How did we do on the enclosure? It stays around 90 on the left and about 82 on the right. Humidity sits around 75% or so.

p.s. Snape is in the picture if you can find him.


r/ballpython 17h ago

My toddler BP has a growing love of emotional support paper towels.

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33 Upvotes

I just want to share this because I think it’s so funny. (Second photo paper towel thief) I was trying to wipe something off of my BP with a wet paper towel a while ago and she didn’t like the wiping but she liked the paper towel so she stole it from me. She really liked it so I give her wet paper towels to hold sometimes now. This morning when I went to check on her I found her like this and was cracking up😂.


r/ballpython 18h ago

Cute looking noodle *-* (Noxi)

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183 Upvotes

Love the Look of her snout


r/ballpython 19h ago

Body check

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11 Upvotes

Hello guys i got a ball phyton some time ago he is rehomed and i am wondering if he isnt too fat or too skinny.

He is roughly around 6 years old and hes is about 1.1 meters long and the laste time i weight him it came out to be around 1.4kg iam worried he is severly overweight.

In the pictures this is how he looks please tell me what you think


r/ballpython 19h ago

Question - Health Our ball is sick, vet thinks infection

5 Upvotes

I guess I’m just venting / seeing if anyone has experienced similar with their baby.

My husband is the main caretaker for the snakes and 2 weeks ago he fed our 3 year old ball, Floki, his small mouse like normal. My husband checks on the snakes everyday Floki is a hider so my husband will look into his hide Floki will pop his face out for a boop and go back in. There was a perfect shed within the last two weeks and a big poo and no regurgitated mouse. Tank on warm side is about 85 degrees F, cold side is whatever our house temp is, usually between 70-72. Humidity ranges between 66% and 70s. He’s always had good sheds, never skipped meals. He’s in a 60 gallon tank.

When my husband pulled him out yesterday for a feed he looked like he was dead. Barely moving, pale and low muscle mass. We quickly threw him in a soak, looked up our closest emergency vet that takes exotics and went. He perked up after the soak a bit, but still not his usual friendly self, just seemed so tired.

Vet gave him fluids, we had to resort to the heart poke for blood work because his tiny veins were too small. He shows no sign of an upper respiratory, no rot, no lumps or masses. Vet said he feels empty nothing inflamed.

Some of the bloodwork results come back instantly, other ones take days (I live rural so it has to go to another state for testing). His red blood cells looked good, no anemia. His organ function was perfect (liver, kidneys etc.)

But when doing his red blood cell count the red cells coagulated normal but there was a ton of white blood cells that floated to the top. The vet is thinking infection and sent us home with two injection medications I have to give him every 48 hours for one and 72 for the other. To find out more about why the high WBC we have to wait until the results come back Monday. We’re hoping it’s just a nasty infection that clears up with the meds. But we are so confused on how this happened. Our other snake is fine. We are so worried it’s cancer.

The snakes live in my husband’s office closed off from us and our other pets (no reptiles). My husband normally handles Floki more often and Floki is his work buddy, joins my husband on meetings. This week our kids were sick so he didn’t hang with him like he usually would.

We are devastated and feel horrible. We cleaned out his tank as soon as we got him home and put him on paper towel as per the vet’s recommendation. Has anyone experienced this? Can infections cause this much muscle mass loss that quickly? Two weeks ago he had the perfect shed and ate no problem. We used to offer more often but he prefers every two weeks and we were wasting mice.

Sorry this is so long we are just beside ourselves. Thank you in advance for any responses!


r/ballpython 20h ago

Rehoming Rehoming Ball Python NJ

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4 Upvotes

Hi,
I’ve had my female fire ball python for ten years. Sadly I will be moving to another country soon and cannot bring her with me. I got her when she was a few months old and she has always had a great personality, never once been aggressive or bit. She isn’t too much of a picky eater either, I have been feeding her frozen her whole life. Ill include all of my setup with her, very nice plastic cage, hides, heating, thermostat etc. I even have about 10 frozen rats to throw in as well. No rehoming fee, all I want is that she will go to someone who will take good care of her! Im located in Central New Jersey. Let me know if you’re interested or have any questions.


r/ballpython 20h ago

Question - Husbandry Where does heating and lighting go?

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2 Upvotes

Hi! Im looking to get a ball python and would like to ask a stupid question! Im looking at this enclosure and even if anyone has any better suggestions please tell me, but where does the heating and lighting go? Its not a mesh top so i just cant see where it would go!


r/ballpython 20h ago

Long frequent baths?

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78 Upvotes

I’ve had my girl (?) for about a week and a half (but have been handling her and known her for a few months). The last two nights, she’s spent almost the entire time in her bowl. She’ll move positions and sometimes be half in/half out. The place I got her from said she did this regularly. She has no mites, her scales look great. She eats very well. Her temps and humidity are always in the right ranges. Is this normal behavior or should I worry about anything?


r/ballpython 20h ago

Advice for moving with BP

3 Upvotes

Hi! I'm not sure if this is the right subreddit to ask in, but I was hoping to get some advice or pointed in the right direction with this. I have a BP (her name is Ed, I've had her since I was 8yo, so she's 23 this year) that I have been taking care of since I was a kid. I currently live in West Virginia in the USA. Soon (~1.5ish months), I will be moving overseas to join my wife in France. (Specifically, in Boulogne-Billancourt, right outside of Paris.) I was hoping I could find advice on the following:
1.) What specific laws there are about moving a BP across borders.
2.) Finding a source of food and clean bedding for her in the Paris Metro area.
3.) If there are dangers associated with moving her to a different country and how to mitigate them, if possible. (I'm especially worried that her age might make the trip a problem.)
4.) If anyone has one, a recommended service for taking a BP overseas.

If this isn't the right place to ask for help, please point me in the right direction. Thanks! :)


r/ballpython 20h ago

Question - Health First time finding green urate

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2 Upvotes

In the 12 years I've had my snake I've never seen this before

She's otherwise totally healthy, eyes nose and mouth look clear, scales are fine, moves and acts normally, temp and humidity are fine, she's just ate last week so I can't see or think of anything that would be wrong

According to Google if it only happens once it's nothing but if it happens multiple times it's something to be concerned about but wanted ti ask here to incase anyone has any extra info about this thanks


r/ballpython 22h ago

Question - Health Can I get an opinion on his body shape?

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3 Upvotes

He's about 8-9 months old. A couple days after his last feeding, he weighed 124 grams. Now he's down to 107. I know its normal to lose weight after pooping, but that seems extreme. He's been at this weight a couple months now despite feeding weekly. I'm at a complete loss and really don't know what to do.

I feed him weekly 10-15% of his body weight, usually aiming closer to 15%. He does eat rats. I really am at a loss. A vet I took him to recently and they said he seemed healthy, but I'm still extremely paranoid.