royal python set up help?? total newb!

[dalbert]

Firstly I'd like to say hi!

Wow! what an awesome site this is!

Now, I am in the process of building a viv for a royal python. I have been doing my research, but Im unsure of a few things...

• What is the best age / weight to buy the snake?
• What is the best substrate? (easy clean and little or no smell if poss)
• Is there a preferred heating method? I have seen a viv heater that is disguised as a tree stump which will obviousley look nice but will it do the job?
• Is it ok to put a light in the vivarium? (Ive read up on this but it has left me confused lol)

I know these are probably obvious questions, but i would rather be 100% sure before committing.

Any help greatly appreciated

Cheers..

Darren.

[pied pythons]

Right...

Incase you were unsure on the viv size...3' x 15'' x 15'' is most ideal for an adult royal...BUT you are far better off moving the snake up from a small tub, through the stages so to speak, until it reaches adult size, in a 3' viv...

If it is your first royal I would go for a well grown on snake, or an adult...this way it will be far more settled, and at the very least you will know it has been feeding well...generally! Don't go for a LTC or WC adult, or a very young hatchling as these can be a real pain to get feeding etc...

Ensure you buy from a reptutable breeder/dealer. I would suggest you get one from someone on this forum (in the classifieds) rather than a pet shop selling reptiles 'on the side' etc...

Substrate wise...newspaper all the way. It may not be as aesthetically pleasing, but is free if you ask for old ones at your local newsagents, and can be changed so easily and quickly. Some snakes also love hiding under it... There is no risk of swallowing substrate with newspaper either, as there is will wood chips etc.

No substrate should smell more or less than another...and no viv should smell really. As soon as you see the snake has urinated or defecated you clean it out, so the smell is only there for a very short time. Unlike the smells associated with rats etc...

If you get a smaller snake and it is being kept in a tub (RUB's are fantastic due to the clip up handles preventing escape, and perfect sizes {really useful boxes}) then a heat mat underneath the tub will work well...

If and when you use a viv I strongly reccommend an infrared light bulb inside a bulb guard...

You can use vivs for smaller royals, after about a year I usually put any hatchlings into a 2' x 1' x 1' viv, which is very small and cosy for them...to big a space and they will just become stressed and generally stop eating.

A hide at each end of the viv is compulsory so the snake isn't forced to choose between heat and safety.

I also strongly reccommend against putting a light in the viv. If you use an infrared bulb to heat the viv it will provide plenty enough light for you to view inside, and the snake won't be able to see the light (snakes cannot see infrared light) so it won't be stressed out or disturbed.

UV lighting can blind royals (and most other snakes as far as I am aware) and is unecessary. The light provided from the window/s in a room is all your snake will need.

Bear in mind that in the wild royal pythons live underground in disused rodent burrows...so they don't really venture out in the daylight.

Hope this helps

[akuma 天]

Originally Posted by dalbert

Firstly I'd like to say hi!

Wow! what an awesome site this is!

Now, I am in the process of building a viv for a royal python. I have been doing my research, but Im unsure of a few things...

• What is the best age / weight to buy the snake?

There is no best age, if you are a newbie possibly trying getting one that is an established feeder as hatchling royals, (and any other snake) can be hard to get feeding, and for new owner this can be REALLY stressful as they think they are doing something wrong, when if fact paitence is in order.

• What is the best substrate? (easy clean and little or no smell if poss)

Cheap and none smelly is plain white kitchen roll, or you can use news paper. For a more natural look get Orchid Bark or Aspen.

• Is there a preferred heating method? I have seen a viv heater that is disguised as a tree stump which will obviousley look nice but will it do the job?

I find the best method to use a dimmer theromstat and red heat bulb. Some people prefer ceramic (lightless) heaters and other use heat mats, neither is correct, its personal choice.

• Is it ok to put a light in the vivarium? (Ive read up on this but it has left me confused lol)

See above, if using ceramic, you could put a light in or just make sure the viv gets daylight, but not too much sunlight on the glass.
If you've got a dimmer stat and red bulb, you get light and heat in one.

I know these are probably obvious questions, but i would rather be 100% sure before committing.

Any help greatly appreciated

Cheers..

Darren.

.....

[dalbert]

Cheers for the advice!

[dalbert]

With the infrared bulb for heating.. is there a specific wattage?