Newbie Questions About Royal/Ball Pythons!

[RhydyrafonRoyals]

Well..this is my first post on this forum, I've been wanting to get a snake for the past year or so, but my parents wouldn't let me now I'm 16 they are finally starting to give in. I have done my research on two particular snakes, the royal/ball pythons and a pueblan milksnake, I have bought books on each snake aswell. I decided to choose a royal/ball python over a pueblan because ball/royals are a slower moving snake and they are a thinker bodies snake, which makes them easier to handle. I have looked into depth of the various morphs available, but I have decided to start off with a normal. my question is..

Will a 36" x 15" 8.5" Vivarium be large enough for a Ball Python? I obviously will start it off in a smaller enclosure and the correct equipment.

Thanks In Advance, RhydyrafonRoyals.

[snake_tamer]

congrats on your first snake and picking a ball python! a tank or enclosure of that size should fit your ball just fine, some things to think about though.

are you buying a hatchling or a juvi or an adult? a hatchling usually can live in a 10 gallon aquarium for a pretty good stretch of it's life. as they grow, ball pythons will generally need more length and width then height. a 20 gallon long would be acceptable ( I believe they are 12w x 30L x 12h) but something like a 40g breeder with a few good hide boxes would also work. Something of that size should be perfectly fine for your snake as it grows.

you don't want to go toooo big because it stresses the snake out (as I am sure you have read up on) but two small is harmful as well! something of the size you are referring to should work out just fine for them may want to beef up that 8.5 to about a 12" just to be sure good luck and happy herping!

CONGRATS!

[Drake Moonslayer]

Welcome to the addiction that is ball pythons. Sounds good

[RhydyrafonRoyals]

Thanks for the quick reply snake_tamer.

They store usually gets ball pythons which are around 14"-18" in length, so there juvenile? if not, please point me in the right direction! There all sexed, I was looking into getting a male due to they generally stay smaller. what sex would you recommend? I was concerned about the height, I might look into getting a 36" x 18" x 18" then. Thanks for the recommendation!

[RhydyrafonRoyals]

Thanks for the welcome Drake Moonslayer!

[ElliotNess]

You ideally want something like these listed below as it is much easier to maintain humidity and clean. You can check craigslist cause I have seen boaphile and vision on my local ads for a pretty good price. All you really need is a 36x15x15(roughly) or better.
http://www.boaphileplastics.com/421d.html
http://www.npicages.com/36_stackable_cage.html
http://www.lllreptile.com/products/5...00-vision-cage

[RhydyrafonRoyals]

Sadly, I live within the UK not America which is better because it has a wider range of housing which suits ball pythons, Thanks for the suggestions tho Elliotness!

[ElliotNess]

There are alot of breeders in the UK. Check out places like http://www.captivebredreptileforums.co.uk/

Ask one of those guys and they can point you towards someplace semi local

[RhydyrafonRoyals]

Thanks for the link Elliotness, Will take a look at that and I'll let you know if I find anything suitable.