Yes unfortunately there is a lot of variations and misinformation spread around about the care of reptiles
But I can assure you as well as others that the general rule of thumb with temp and humidity for BPs should be 72-75 cool side, 83-86 warm side with a humidity around 60-65%.
The only reptile that I keep that is ok with having a hot spot over 90°F is my husband’s Central Bearded Dragon, a desert species.
Ball Pythons are semi-tropical native to the grasslands and forests of Western & Central Africa. A lot of people assume because they are an African species that they need to be hot… that is not the case. In fact most snake species are at risk of overheating and burning at temps over 90°F.
Take for example another species I own, an Amazon Tree Boa… their warm side temps typically need to be around 83°F, the lowest warm temp of any snake species I own.
You may have done a lot of research but that doesn’t mean the information you got is accurate. Also just because you talked to someone who has snakes doesn’t mean they are giving you solid advice either. When I first started keeping over 20 years I was working for my reptile vet. That’s when I got my very first snake. I was lucky because I learned the basics from her. She’s still my vet!
Until I found MM 6 years ago there was no forum that I had found up until then that had so many truly knowledgeable/experienced breeders, keepers, and hobbyists in one place. This community is pretty amazing actually. The mods help to make sure that erroneous or harmful advice/information is weeded out for the sake of the health and safety of the animals being discussed. I have learned so much in the past 6 years and I hope continue to keep learning!
Suffice it to say, the advice given here is trustworthy. And btw I am so glad you are here!
I agree with the temperature discussion but I will disagree on humidity. I never let my humidity get lower than 65%. On average my humidity is between 65-75%. I have never had a snake get sick and I’ve also never had a shedding issue, whereas when I kept my humidity closer to 60% I had very frequent bad sheds.
I’ve only had a ball for seven months; usually I just occasionally, once or twice a week, make sure she KNOWS I’m there, usually by talking and/or slowly lifting whichever hide she’s in, then gently and slowly scooping her out of the hide and using both hands while handling her, etc.
she’s never out more than 20 mins max-max. I usually hold her for 15 minutes, walk her around the house, let her explore (she likes to stretch her head up and look around, bps are timid but VERY CURIOUS, And smart)
it’s not like they DONT LIKE being held unless they’re hurting or something else is going on, especially if you have warm and dry hands, it’s like a tree to them. We emit 98 degrees constantly, as if emitting the heat of the day, without burning them and they’re cold constantly.
I imagine it’s like the feeling of cold toes that just don’t wanna warm up, but it’s your entire body.
My royal, Kitsune, I’ve had for six months. She’s pretty chill with being handled by me and recognizes me already. I’m frequently watching the tank, checking it, making sure everything’s clean and functioning. I check her temps twice a day. And spot clean. And touch her stuff when I’m moving fake leaves out of the way, fixing fallen sticks or suction cups, and I leave my scent everywhere I can.
I can’t bring myself to put my shirt in the tank with her, but she doesn’t mind being held lol
Also I wash my hands with scented soaps. That way, she doesn’t mistake me as a meal, BUT, if I use only the same brand of ‘that one lavender soap I like’ or lemon or whatever, I can wash my hands and she won’t bite them bc they smell like grass instead of food, but she can still recognize the familiar smells and go ‘this thing prolly isnt gonna eat me…’
Also, ambient humidity should probably be anywhere from 60 to 70%, honestly. On one hand, humid hides exist for a reason and I imagine it feels more natural and safe for them to have a moist corner they can hide in the dark and quiet and shed in peace…. On another, everybody is annoying controversial.
But for a properly hydrated bp, you want 60-70%
Lower respiratory infection risk, healthier bp, lower dehydration and bad shed risk. Win-win-win.
It’s not that hard to maintain humidity, especially in a PVC, tub, or grow tent.
It’s the most difficult in a tank that has poor heating (no evaporated water to start with) or has a very open top because of airflow direction and physics etc.
With ANY reptile, the goal should be to make a mini slice of their natural habitat in the safest way possible FOR THE REPTILE so it can healthily express natural behaviors like climbing, hiding, stretching, basking, the way it feeds, the way it drinks, and the way it sees the world etc.
It’s not about you. It’s not abt likes. It’s about what your pet needs.
