Help with children's python?

[shellfisch]

What wattage was the mat? It just may have been too hot for the tub you were using it for?
Our mats get left on 24 hours for young pythons.

You should be able to use that heat cord under a plastic tub. Coil it into a series of 'S' shapes, tape it down and sit one third of the tub onto it.

Does that enclosure have a lid? Is it an old fish tank? Or a proper wooden enclosure with a glass front?
Sorry, its hard to tell from the photo.

 

[Snakeluvver2]

Read how to make a click clack thread.

If the heat mats gets too hot, put a number of ceramic tiles between the heat mat and the click clack until you reach the right temperature (30-32). I'm going to strongly suggest you get a thermostat ASAP, I dont mean in the next few weeks I mean tomorrow!
$90 is not that much in the long run, tell you parents that you snake is likely to over heat and die without it and their money spent on the snake will be a waste (that's bending the truth a tad but do what it takes!)

Once you have your temps sorted out and stable you can worry about feeding.

Keep the heat on 24/7 regardless!
Keep that up until your snake is about 1-2 years old.

Thaw and heat a rodent with warm-hot water. Dry it, place it in the enclosure then walk off. Perhaps leave a dark clothe over the enclosure as well, once it's feeding steadily try using thongs.

Your age isn't a barrier for knowledge or common sense.
I was keeping snakes properly when I was 12, it's not hard with proper research.

Don't feed you snake skinks or other lizards.
1. You have no idea what could be in those lizards (parasite, diseases, chemicals)
2. It will probably make it a thousands times harder to get your snake eating rodents regularly if you continue.
3. Could be illegal, I doubt you know species your feeding to your snake.

 

[ssnakekid]

ive never used a thermo with my heat mats either. might warm him up more if you take there heat cord and put it under half the tank instead of on the stick or or get a low wattage heat light and have a therometer to monitor the temps.

 

[Trouble]

In my honest opinion, that enclosure is too big for a snake that small. take him out, go buy a 20L click clack, put the cord underneath it like shellfisch said, and take that bedding out! use paper towel or newspaper instead. that may look nice, but it might bind him up. I have only ever used astro turf or paper towel as a bedding material.
As the others have said, get your parents to buy the snake a reliable thermostat & thermometer because that could be the key to making sure your snake is healthy.
Take that head cord off of the vine, as it could cause burns, or transfer no adequate heat properly. If you do end up buying a new heat mat, make sure it's a low wattage one. I have a 15w one running under my coastals click clack at the moment and it's on 24/7 with no problems.

Don't worry about feeding until you have the temps right!
feeding wild skinks is a big NO NO! you don't know what sort of parasites or mites they have. you could be making your snake sicker by doing that to them. make sure you get him off live food too.

Don't use your age as a barrier. I know plenty of reptile keepers that are in their mid teens and know a fair bit. I started keeping reptiles when I was 15. Just research is the key! if you're unsure of something, don't be affraid to ask! Ohh, and don't listen to pet shops!! They are only interested in earning a quick buck and don't care about the animals.


I hope it all goes well, and that your little guy gets to be a nice adult childrens!
Keep us updated!
Trouble