Looking at getting a python

[Bundybear666]

G'day everyone

Looking at buying a python. One I have my eye on is a Juv high yellow diamond. I have done a bit of reading but getting a lot of conflicting info so thought I would ask the people in the know. my questions are what heating is required? some people have said diamonds are different from most pythons and require different lighting. Tank size, as it is a juvenile should I start off with a smaller tank or can I get a tank for it to grow into. finally what is there temperament like and is there a difference from male to female?
Very excited have owned lizards but not pythons. love reptiles any feedback will be much appreciated.

 

[Prof_Moreliarty]

Hi there im not an expert but ill tell you how i keep my 7 month old jungles atm they are each in their own hatchy box with a 7w heat mat underneath one end and a hide at either end this keeps the temps in the hot end hide at 30-35c and the cold end around 23-26 this gives the snake the choice of what temp it wants to be at (thermoregulation). a thermostat is a good idea but i dont currently use one. when their bigger (if i still have them....) ill move em into a tall cage with plenty of hides and add a heatlamp as well as the heatmat currently being used. dont know about diamonds being different to most pythons as they are still a carpet and shouldnt need specialist care apart from normal carpet husbandry. as for special lighting sounds like bs/someone trying to sell you something you dont need.

ps im sure some of the guys on here can point you to some good books on husbandry etc

 

[kitten_pheonix]

A hot end of 28-29 is recommended for diamonds as they are a colder climate snake to most morelia, with a cool end of about 23 should be fine.
Lighting is much of a muchness most will say they need uvb but it hasnt been proven or disproven.
Its recommended that you start with smaller enclosures and work up as too large an enclosure is often a contributing factor to snakes not eating, but with enough hides and coverage they can go straight into a large enclosure but starting out i would go with the smaller option.
Generally there known as placid pythons but as with people some can be real psycos and gender has no effect

 

[Bundybear666]

Thanks for the feedback Prof Moreliarty. I have heard that there is a chance of burning your reptile through heat mats and temp is hard to regulate. any truth?

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Cheers Kitten_Pheonix do you have a diamond

 

[Leasdraco]

I would advise using a heat globe, it comes down to personal choice as to what kind, ordinary heat globe, ceramic, downlight,etc. I think it gives a better temperature gradient, and your python will choose where it is comfortable. If more heating is required you can use a heat mat or heat cord. They are pretty safe but with heat mats you need to put something on top of it to prevent burns. A ceramic tile is ideal.

 

[kitten_pheonix]

Not at the moment but ive discussed there care at length with a few breeders as i was considering getting one before it never eventuated as i went with a bredli and jungle then realized smaller pythons suited what i could care for.

In click clacks heat mats and cords are ideal as lights will often melt them, always have any heat sorce on a thermostat. The only heat sorce i will advise against is a heat rock. They arnt even good for a paper weight

 

[Prof_Moreliarty]

Yeah stay away from heat rocks. If your still worried about heatmat use a thermostat and for extra protection use a powerboard with a built in circuit breaker. Anyway I've learnt something today didn't know diamonds need a slightly lower temp.

 

[Bundybear666]

Thanks guys. great feed back. still got a lot more research to do. Do diamonds bask. how do you know when to upsize the size of the food.

 

[kitten_pheonix]

Yep diamonds are often found basking in the sun; the time to upsize the food is when it no longer leaves a noticeable bulge. Generally your aiming for 20% of a snakes body weight or 1.5x the thickest part of the snake in one food item

 

[Beans]

Heat mats are the best way I find to heat a tub. As long as you hook it up to a thermostat and use for example a 7watt it should be fine.

 

[creaturesofhabit]

Heat mats are the best way I find to heat a tub. As long as you hook it up to a thermostat and use for example a 7watt it should be fine.

Wrong !i had a 7 watt heat mat nearly catch fire..lucky for me I found it before it did as it was already starting to melt......have not had any issues with heat chord so far

 

[Prof_Moreliarty]

Wrong !i had a 7 watt heat mat nearly catch fire..lucky for me I found it before it did as it was already starting to melt......have not had any issues with heat chord so far

havnt tried chords before the one major flaw I notice with mats is after time some of them the 240 wires loosen out and if they were to fray and short circuit you have a fire that's why I suggest a circuit breaker.

 

[Beans]

Wrong !i had a 7 watt heat mat nearly catch fire..lucky for me I found it before it did as it was already starting to melt......have not had any issues with heat chord so far

I'm not wrong thats my opinion.

I've no issues running heat mats on any of my enclosures.

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In summer anyway you probably wont need any heating for a diamond they can most likely just be kept at room temp

 

[creaturesofhabit]

Sorry beans if my post came off rude..we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one

 

[kitten_pheonix]

There are actually several brands of heat mats that are prone to catching fire, the green mats were notorious for it and some of the cheaper black and clear ones. If they are being used its advisable to never bend the cord where it meets the mat, it should be left as straight as possible and never placed inside an enclosure as they are not resistant to moisture where as the heat cords can withstand a bit of liquid (from the bowl or the snake)

 

[Bundybear666]

Thanks guys. went out yesterday and looked at half dozen diamonds. all were stunners but settled on a gorgeous Gosford diamond she was a little flighty but with great makings just started taking fuzzies. don't pick her up for a month or so. looking forward to posting some picks. its great to talk to people as passionate about reptiles as me. a lot of people don't don't care to try to understand. :lol:

 

[Beans]

Too right bundy! Best of luck with the new addition

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[Snapped]

Congrats on your python, seeing as you don't pick him up for a month, here's some great reading for you. Lots of great advice on handling, feeding, housing etc written so it's concise and easy to read.

http://www.southernxreptiles.com/RA ARTICLE PAGE.htm