Children's python beginners questions

[Hindy]

Okay well here we go:
1. What is the best temperature?
2. Do they need calcium supplements?
3. Ive been told that hides are your choice?
4. At what size do I move out of a click clack and into a big glass enclosure?
5. Can you keep 2 snakes in the same enclosure? (male and female)
Thanks guys

 

[thomasssss]

Childrens Python Care Sheet - Aquarium and reptile online shop in Melbourne. Specialise in Baby Turtles, Lizards, Frogs and Pythons also for sale!

i personally dont like the idea of having 2 snakes in one enclosure , there is to many things that can go wrong and very little to no benefit imo the major thing is they can and will attempt to eat their cage mate and they might succeed or at least kill it before hand
they could live together drama free but the risk will always be there when the consequences mean death to your animal its just a risk im not willing to take nor recommend other to do so especially those new to the hobby

 

[CaptainRatbag]

1/25 - 32 ish is a good gradient
2/no
3/yes
4/when you decide they are big enough.... usually around 4-6 months (in my own opinion)
5/yes, but not if you want to breed them.... you need to introduce them at the right time of the year (when they are horny) :lol: (and as long as they are same species & similar size) IE, if you put a small juvie in with an adult, you will prolly end up with just a fat adult....

All just my opinion

 

[Variety]

Temperature is to simulate their natural environment which is around 32 celcius,
Calcium supplements arnt essential and hides provide security for your python so are highly recommended to avoid causing stress.
Not sure about 4. as ive never owned a hatchling only mature snakes but deffinatly find that out before doing so,
Although pythons have been known to be housed with one another there is alot that can go wrong so try to avoid it.

 

[sharky]

I wouldn't recommend putting one in a glass enclosure because I find glass doesn't keep heat and doesn't give the python the security that a wooden enclosure would. I recomend a wooden enclosure with glass sliding doors (with locks of course!) or doors wherever you feel would be best. I also don't recommend keeping m/f together all year round but they can be in breeding season with breaks weekly. I moved my hatchling up to a larger enclosure at 6 months old but it is up to the size of your hatchie. If you can see our snake can't freely move around move them up Temps: 32 degrees as everyone has said! Calcium suppliments are not needed because they get most of their calcium from their food (rodents). Hides are ideal. At least 2 at minimum, one in the warm side and one in the cooler side. I have various placed within my snakes enclosure. Hides can be anything from toilet paper roles to stubbie holders

 

[Hindy]

What wattage heat mat?
What size click clack? Would a 2 litre container be okay?

 

[sharky]

Heat mat can be anything from a 8watt up. I bought a 30 watt so I could use it when I upgraded the enclosure sizes. Just make sure you keep an eye out on the temps with a higher wattage
Yes, a 2l will be fine. Mine was housed in a 2L for 6 months.

 

[Variety]

thermostats are highly recommended for beginner keepers as it eliminates a potential problem with heating

 

[Hindy]

Heat mat can be anything from a 8watt up. I bought a 30 watt so I could use it when I upgraded the enclosure sizes. Just make sure you keep an eye out on the temps with a higher wattage
Yes, a 2l will be fine. Mine was housed in a 2L for 6 months.

And then it went straight into a wooden enclosure?

- - - Updated - - -

Also, How do I know when to up the size of the mouse?

 

[CaptainRatbag]

thermostats are highly recommended for beginner keepers as it eliminates a potential problem with heating

I reckon thermostats are a must for any method of heating.... otherwise you will prolly end up with 'snake flambe' (toasted snake):shock:

Make sure the heatmat is 1/3 or less than the floorspace of the enclosure.... that will determine what wattage your heatmat will be.... the bigger the heatmat, the higher the wattage generally. 8w is usually about 200 x 250mm and the 30w are about 450 x 350mm ore there abouts.

 

[Hindy]

Again, when do I know when to upgrade the size of the mouse?

 

[Gruni]

I wouldn't recommend putting one in a glass enclosure because I find glass doesn't keep heat and doesn't give the python the security that a wooden enclosure would.

I would beg to differ on that one... I think it depends on where you are and the range of temperatures where the tank is setup eg. a shed/garage vs the loungeroom. I use a glass tank and have lined three of the walls externally with fishtank wallpaper to help the asthetics but also as some insulation. My tank is also set in a wall unit in the loungeroom which helps insulate it to some extent also not to mention that we keep the lounge at a cosy temp all winter anyway. If the temps didn't stay constant I would have used some thin styrofoam sheeting in addition to the wallpaper but that hasn't been necessary. In winter if we go away for a few days and the house will cool down then I hang a double layer curtain over the front of the tank to retain heat. I don't use a thermostat but rather two timers and my temps have always been very constant with the heat light and heat mat cycling on and off throughout the day. Now that it is warming up my heat mat is only cycling through the night.

I also have a very experienced keeper mate who lives in Armidale and has no issues with the three tanks he uses and he has not covered the sides at all.

I used a glass tank simply because I had one sitting around doing nothing and it was a cheap option for me. The top was made for me and if I wanted to I could add extra locking ability to it easily enough. There are pics on my profile page and I did a DIY thread too.

http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/diy-zone-5392/first-go-habitat-build-179373/page/1

 

[Stuart]

Again, when do I know when to upgrade the size of the mouse?

You will know...

The mouse should be 15 to 20% larger than the width of your snake. Not so big as to make it look like it has swallowed a golf ball, but not so small as to not be noticible.

 

[Gruni]

Again, when do I know when to upgrade the size of the mouse?

When he latches onto your finger and starts throwing death coils around it (mine did this). :lol:

You will get to know your snake and with time know what it needs. There are ideas about the % of food size to snake weight but I cbf'd with that, look at the belly size once it's got the food down, I think mine averaged a food upgrade roughly every 8 feeds but that is only in hindsight and not a method I would use as such, but it gives me something to think about and look for. Also if they start looking hungry and you've got small food left give it a double serving. Just remember they can be pigs and take anything you offer them which is almost like power feeding.

 

[Hindy]

I have never owned a snake before.. So is someone could give me a ratio or something as such it would be greatly appreciated..

 

[Stuart]

I have never owned a snake before.. So is someone could give me a ratio or something as such it would be greatly appreciated..

In laymans terms, you want to see a lump in the stomach of your snake but you dont want the lump to be huge. You only want it to be a third bigger than the widest part of your snakes body.

 

[Hindy]

In laymans terms, you want to see a lump in the stomach of your snake but you dont want the lump to be huge. You only want it to be a third bigger than the widest part of your snakes body.

So just upgrade size when I feel it in nessecary?

 

[Stuart]

So just upgrade size when I feel it in nessecary?

Precisely. So if you can no longer see a defined lump in your Pythons belly and he is using your fingers as swallowing practice, you will want to upgrade his food size accordingly.

 

[Hindy]

Precisely. So if you can no longer see a defined lump in your Pythons belly and he is using your fingers as swallowing practice, you will want to upgrade his food size accordingly.

Thankyou very much.
I dont know very much about snakes at all. I am doing all of the research I can before I get mine. Right now I am in maths supposed to be learning triganometry haha.
Is there anythiung that I should reseach about more than anything else?

 

[Sleazy.P.Martini]

Thankyou very much.
I dont know very much about snakes at all. I am doing all of the research I can before I get mine. Right now I am in maths supposed to be learning triganometry haha.
Is there anythiung that I should reseach about more than anything else?

Yes, triganometry...