Seeking advice

[pytoxic]

Hi guys
I need your guys advice. I have been interested in animals all my life and love to keep them. I only really got into reptiles about 2 years ago. I now think it's safe to say that the bug has bitten So I recently got my first "proper" pet snake, a normal ball python whom I love. The snake and the whole setup came up to about R2500 (snake was R950 and thermostat, tank etc. was over R1000) Since I am only 12 and it is illegal for me to work( ), I don't have that type of money. For example. It will take me about 5-10 months worth of savings for me to be able to get a thermostat . I would like to know if there are any snake species that are rewarding and not to expensive and if there is a way to cut down on some of the costs of setting up a enclosure without endangering the snake?

Many thanks
Nic

[Mehelya]

Any snake species is rewarding in it's own way, as far as that goes, and boils down to personal preference at the end of the day.

Prices will be dependant on quality, availability, morph (if applicable), and many other factors. Snakes such as Corns, and House snakes are easy to keep, have minimalistic requirements, and are generally hardy species, and pricing is normally reasonable for many of the basic/older morphs. Some of the larger snakes, such as Carpet Pythons are also becoming more available at reasonable prices.

There are NO shortcuts when housing an animal of any sort. That animal is completely dependant on your provision for a happy, healthy and long life. Taking shortcuts in housing, husbandry, or any aspect of reptile keeping would be irresponsible, and cruel.

[kfc223]

Well you can keep the ball in a tub with a heat pad and theremsotat.

Most breeders use rack systems for their ball pythons, depending on the size of your ball you just get a tub. Poke a bunch of ventilation holes, pop a heat pad attached to a theremsotat and just set the tub up with a hide, water bowl and newspaper as substrate.

[Westley Price]

Once you have one thermostat, you are fairly set. You can run multiple cages off one thermostat, depending on the wattages of your heat sources.

Racks are a very affordable and space-saving way of keeping snakes too. You can have 10 adult snakes in a single rack, running off a single thermostat. Hatchling racks are even better; you can keep (for example) 25 snakes in a single rack with a single thermostat.

Eyelash (a member here) is selling racks for hatchlings and adults at good prices with heating included as well as optional thermostat. I saw his work some time back and it's great. You might want to contact him.

[pytoxic]

Thanks guys.
How many 10w heat pads could I run of this? http://lizardssnakestarantulas.co.za/220v-digital-lcd-thermostat-temperature-regulator-controller/
Would it not be easier to use heating cable on a rack?
Regards
Nic

[Westley Price]

Cable works much easier on a rack than heat pads and you have a more constant heating between tubs whereas heat pads (even from same wattage) have varying heat outputs.

My physics is a bit dodgy, but I know a very few guys are on the forum on weekends so I'll try to help regarding the amount of heat pads. You use Ohm's law of power, W (watts) = V (volts) x I (amps). So your thermostat runs off 220V and 5A, so you can theoretically go up to 1100 Watts, so that is roughly 100 x 10W heat pads.

[pytoxic]

Thanks.
But how do I connect that many heating pads where there is only one port for the heating pad?
Thanks
Nic

[Westley Price]

You need to connect a multiplug to the thermostat and then connect all the heat pads to the multiplug.

[pytoxic]

Oh now I see. Thanks Westley. What size tub would I need for corns?
Thanks
Nic

[Westley Price]

You could go smaller, but 26l tubs are a nice size for all colubrids and smaller pythons so they would be ideal.

But remember, hatchling/young snakes need a smaller enclosure/tub to feel secure so you cannot keep hatchling Corns in 26l tubs.

[pytoxic]

Thanks guys.
How hard is it to breed corns?
Regards
Nic

[Westley Price]

If you just check in Google there's TONS of info on breeding Corns and most other species too.

[pytoxic]

Thanks but I can't find anything South African though
I am in the process of making a rack and if all is up and running I will try pickup a corn at the expo.
Regards
Nic

[Bushbaby]

I'm in awe of you pytoxic. It is not every day you find someone (especially so young) who would ensure that they have everything to ensure a happy snake because it is so expensive.

Well done!!!

[pytoxic]

Thanks BB What do you think about volunteering at my local petshop? Just to help look after the animals etc.
Thanks in advance.
Nic