Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[MillyMollyMandy]

Hi there! This is my first post so hello! I am only a beginner and got myself a 2 month old captive Bred Royal Python on Sunday who is gorgeous!! Very friendly and eating well also. I have him in a small container that he came in at the moment and keep him in the airing cupboard which I was advised would be the best place for him to be at present. He seems happy there and the temperature is correct. I have been taking him out one a day also.
I am waiting for my vivarium to be delivered - wooden one with glass front doors. I have been doing some reading in which some people say you can just have a heat mat, and then others saying you must have a heat mat and a heat lamp = please can you advise if I will be fine with just a heat mat? I understand that he cannot make direct contact with it and also I must have an area away from the heat mat that is cooler for him.
Sorry for the long winded description!! Thank you for any advice!! Mandy!

[MillyMollyMandy]

Oh, wrist slapped I feel!!! Did not mean to be irresponsible. I find it hard as I did do quite a lot of reading prior to getting him and also I have been going on the advice of the reptile advisors at the shop I got him from - so just wanted to double check info here as I know there are lots of different opinions out there and I know forums can be an excellent place to get proper info.
He does have a constant temp in the airing cupboard and I have got a thermometer in there with him. He is only in a small tub approx 10 inches by about 6-7 inches which is what he came in with water bowl and I was advised by the 'experts' that he would be fine in there for approx one month before getting him a slighter larger home. I will only keep it small and expand as he grows as I was aware that they can find a large enclosure distressing and I do not want that.
I was not aware that you should not handle him for some time. He has been feeding well with me and appears ok. Is there any obvious signs that you can tell a snake is stressed so I can keep an eye out for this as I do not want that. his eyes are bright and he flicks his tongue out a lot and moves around quite a lot and seems quite bright.
Sorry if I appear non plussed as that was not my intention. I have done a lot of reading and I do not want to cause any distress to any animal so please do not think I am one of those irresponsible numptys!! Thanks for the links too!!
Many Thanks, mandy

[MillyMollyMandy]

Thank you!!
The airing cupboard is 82 F. I have him on pine bark which again I was advised by the 'experts' to have him on. I have also been advised that newspaper would be fine to. I have also shredded some paper and put that in so he can hide himself in that.
I have got a 36" vivarium - wooden with glass panels ( however the glass panels had shattered when I opened the box so waiting for a delivery of the doors next week!!) but I am just going to place a smaller tub in there with him in that tub and I have a heat mat all ready also. I was told that it was good to put a smaller tub in the wooden vivarium as they hold the heat well rather than those with mesh tops or all glass. I was going to put half the tub on top of the heat mat so that he has a warmer and cooler spot in the tub. Again any advice greatly received and thank you for your time and patience with me!!!! Cheers! Mandy

[MillyMollyMandy]

Again thanks for all the advice. Will get a thermostat this weekend so I am all ready!!
Thanks for being my snake guru!!!!

[snakelover]

Beginners tend to use heat mats, also breeders will, because its cheaper, and probably the only way to heat racks... but when you have adults, in vivs, bulbs, are better, for basking ect, also people say you should try and get into bulbs, so you dont stick with mats for ever...