Recently I found out a couple of my coworkers have a ball python for a pet. When I showed interest the original owner said I could have it and all the supplies for free. She got the snake from a niece who couldn't take it during a move. They have had it for roughly two years. I read a lot of information on the caring for a ball python and that is near the same as what the care givers have described, which gives me confidence in how this snake was cared for. I love animals in general and during my lower grade education I had a subscription to Ranger Rick.

The python is 2-2.5" in diameter and about 3' long which to my untrained eye looked thick compared to length but seems healthy in contrast to pictures and notes I have seen on this website. The only possible negative to their care that I have found based on averages of what I have read is that the aquarium they used is small. The aquarium they have this snake in is about 30 gallons and from what I've read the recommended size is about 42 gallons. They didn't get a bigger tank because they weren't keen on keeping it permanently. It seems the smaller tank has kept the snake at a smaller size near 3' instead of growing towards the possible 6' size which for me is a good thing.

This python is 3-4 years old. Should I get it a bigger tank than 30 gallons? From what I've read they do most of their growing in the earlier years and now that it's at it's later years it's at it's maximum size so it should be comfortable in the aquarium size. They have a UTH and light bulbs for other situations.

My biggest question is about handling. I went to see the snake today and it was stretched out with only two bends to probe the top of the tank. It was close to feeding time so it was expecting food. The owners have fed him/her a medium/small rat at two week intervals. The owners have fed the snake on a payday calendar which is every two weeks. Some suggestions have said that 2-3 smaller mice in the same period is a good idea but I think that long period ingestion is the most important thing.

I may take it tomorrow night as I asked that it get fed today. I am expecting that the stress of changing environments will cause it to not want to eat.


Based on the the snakes actions and the owners normal actions, the snake will eat soon. Is it a good time to transition homes during this transition time?