Roommate Left Behind Python -- HELP.

[Kokorokorokoro]

So I've been reading up on ball pythons for a while, ever since my roommate got one from a friend of hers. I still don't know much about them, though, aside from the fact that the like hides, have specific temperature and humidity needs, and need particular substrates.

However, what I don't know is this:

• How old the python is
• What kind of python it is

Now, currently the python is about a little under 3'. His current tank is 32"x12"x12", which I'm assuming is a 20 gal tank, but I don't know.
I don't have the money to buy him a new tank, so instead I'm looking to build one.


Mainly I'm wondering, what dimensions should I use? Is a long, shallow one preferable to a long, tall one?
Or should I even build him a new one in the first place?

I see some tanks that are just big squares and then some that look like bookshelves... it's kinda confusing.


Also, any advice for someone with little snake knowledge? Like, should I take it to the doctor for a check up or something?

[Aes_Sidhe]

If is a ball Python... for male 32x12x12 should be sufficient till end of his life they rarely grow longer than 4 feet if is a female 36x18 is a max You gonna need but ...if You decide to build it now make sure that You'll provide enough number of Hides for him yo feel comfortable...

And Welcome to BP.net

P.S. Read general and husbandry section is a plenty of good articles and solves for many problems there.

This Care Sheet should help in particular:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...thon-CARESHEET

P.P.S. Picture of Snake will be helpful to determinate what kinf of Python Your roommate left.

[BbyBoa]

It probably doesn't need a check up unless it looks sick.

As far as your caging goes, I don't know what kind of python it is, but ill assume that it is a BP just because they are the most popular.

Really you don't have to build anything, just go to wal-mart/target buy a rubber maid tub, "there is probably a forum on here in the DIY section about how to make a tub into a cage.

Anything you need to know is probably on this site somewhere or another

Good luck to ya!

[eracer]

It probably doesn't need a check up unless it looks sick.

As far as your caging goes, I don't know what kind of python it is, but ill assume that it is a BP just because they are the most popular.

Really you don't have to build anything, just go to wal-mart/target buy a rubber maid tub, "there is probably a forum on here in the DIY section about how to make a tub into a cage.

Anything you need to know is probably on this site somewhere or another

Good luck to ya!

I don't get it. He has a perfectly good tank (assuming it's secure) and you're telling him to get a tub? Why?

[mainbutter]

1:

Use google images to search for "ball python". Ball pythons have a pretty distinct look.

2:

If so, check out this CARE SHEET. This will get you 90% of the way to knowing how to care for a ball python. The other 10% is experience.

3:

If not, and if you have a camera, take a picture of the snake and post it here, so we can help identify the species. It is important to know what species it is, because it may have different care requirements.

Extra info on ball pythons

A glass cage with a locking mesh top that is 32''x12''x12'' is large enough for any 3 foot long snake. Some snakes will outgrow that, others won't. Some that do outgrow it will take longer, and that size will be large enough for a ball python for quite some time.

Read the care sheet. Come here and ask questions (you probably will have some). Taking care of a ball python isn't hard, but it's always nice to have reassuring answers to questions you may have.

[kitedemon]

Age is hard to judge in snakes size is one of the ways but it isn't exact at all. There is very little chance to guess an age past juvinial or adult.

As to kind, an image is needed. The guess that it is a ball (aka royal) python is based in size and numbers it could be something else so am image is needed to be sure.

Alex

[Valentine Pirate]

I don't get it. He has a perfectly good tank (assuming it's secure) and you're telling him to get a tub? Why?

I'm assuming it was suggested because they're easy to clean, and the humidity is a lot easier to take care of. Ultimately it's a personal opinion thing though. There are no real husbandry downsides to tubs, just aesthetic ones

[Kokorokorokoro]

After hearing what everyone's said, I'm sure it is. I just wasn't sure if there were other types that look like that.


I guess my question is more regarding not what is acceptable but what is ideal.
I feel like a larger tank would be more ideal since the snake would have more room to move around, but I wouldn't want to make it uncomfortable with too large of a space either, if there is such a thing.


Also, is there anyway to successfully grow plants inside the same enclosure? Like, possibly on out of reach shelves or something? Or would bugs be a problem?

[BbyBoa]

I don't get it. He has a perfectly good tank (assuming it's secure) and you're telling him to get a tub? Why?

A) Tubs are much less work all the way around

B) He/she is talking about "building" a set up, so I automatically assumed that he or she is not happy with the set up they have.

C) Your making it sound like buying a tub is a big deal, haha there like 10$ max.

hope that helps

[mainbutter]

Too large of a space can be a problem. Ball pythons like to hide, and too much open space can make them feel exposed. If you have lots of space even with two hides and a water dish, you want to downsize your cage or add more "stuff".

Ball pythons are super lazy and spend daytime hiding. They also are non-arboreal (though they have some limited climbing ability), so height is not necessary either.

If you haven't yet, I REALLY REALLY recommend reading the care sheet that is linked to a few posts above.

Also read this for a typical glass cage setup for a ball python:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...p-w-pics-*DUW*

I highly recommend a setup similar to the one in the above link, if you already have a glass cage. It's harder to get more basic than heat, substrate, two hides, and a water bowl. For the most part with keeping reptiles, basic is better. The more complex your housing, the more things can go wrong.

It is quite possible to keep reptiles in what are called "planted vivariums". These are cages with soil, live and growing plants, and a live animal. I keep some animals in planted vivariums, but not ball pythons. Ball pythons are heavy bodied enough that they tend to squish plants that are in their cage. However, it CAN be done with careful planning, placement, and selection of plants.

Creating a successful planted vivarium is more complex than you probably imagine at the moment, and I highly recommend foregoing that idea for the moment and simply making sure that you understand basic ball python husbandry.

Vivariumforum.com is a great place to start when thinking about creating a planted vivarium. Another good resource is a book by Philippe de Vosjoli entitled The Art of Keeping Snakes and focuses on planted vivariums and display caging for snakes.

I hope that helps.

If all this is a bit overwhelming, stick to the CARE SHEET and this BASIC GLASS CAGE BALL PYTHON SETUP