Never Owned a Snake Before

[JessicaK]

Hi guys! So I've never owned a snake before but I'm looking into purchasing a ball python at the expo in January. I keep other reptiles right now including crested/Leo/gargoyle geckos as well as a tegu. I currently have a 40 gallon tank. Would that work for a sub adult or should I keep it in something smaller until he grows a little? Is there anything I should know before purchasing?
So far my plan is to buy a sub adult male. Either a blue eyed Lucy or a bumble bee. Keep him in aspen bedding with an under tank heater. Not sure about heat lamps yet. With a big water bowl to soak in and a hide in each end. Anything missing?


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[AKA Dave]

Welcome to the forum!

Sounds like you have the basics. The only thing to add would be a thermostat to control the UTH and a good way to monitor temps and humidity. As for the size of the tank it is a bit big for a sub adult. You can clutter it up with fake vines and branches though and that helps. BPs like the clutter anyway. If you don't want to use the tank a sterilite tub is a good alternative. Not great for viewing your animal, but great for heat and humidity. BPs need 40%-65% humidity. It's really hard to maintain that in a glass open top enclosure, but doable. Most of mine are in PVC cages, but I have 2 in tanks that do very well. Hope that helps.

Dave

[Ax01]

welcome to the forum and BP world!

i would get a smaller tank instead if possible (or return it before it's used). i started with my first BP in an 18 gallon with alotta clutter, but keep most on miry collection in tubs. it will take a lot to heat a 40 gallon tank and I would add a ceramic heat emitter instead of a heat bulb. and as Dave mentioned, please get a thermostat or something to regulate your UTH. u don't wanna burn your BP.

All the best and we can't wait to see pix of your new BP.

[Reinz]

Welcome aboard!

[Eric Alan]

Hello there, and welcome!

If you haven't noticed already, this site is a smorgasbord of amazing people, with information to match.

The above folks have done a good job steering you in a good direction. To add to their advice, here are a few awesome threads that helped me out a ton when I was starting this addiction:

• Ball Python (Python regius) Caresheet (high-level enough to be good for everyone, detailed enough to get you started)
• How to Setup a Glass Tank (20 long) With Pictures! (I recommend tubs or PVC enclosures, but this is a good thread if you go with a glass tank)
• How to set up a PVC cage (AP T8) With Pictures! (this is the PVC enclosure I went with for my first few BPs - love them!)
• Practical Principles for Ball Python Breeders (great resource for thinking about more long-terms plans in this hobby should you aspire to do so)

Of course, if those links do their job right, you'll definitely end up having lots more questions. Feel free to ask away - that's what we're here for!

Best regards,
Eric

[JessicaK]

Thanks guys! I went ahead and got a smaller tub. It is plastic with a screen cut out in the top to set the lamp on. I got Cyprus mulch, a small hide and a water dish. Went ahead and picked up a pastel from the pet shop!


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[Eric Alan]

Thanks guys! I went ahead and got a smaller tub. It is plastic with a screen cut out in the top to set the lamp on. I got Cyprus mulch, a small hide and a water dish. Went ahead and picked up a pastel from the pet shop!

Nice little addition. Congrats! A word of warning about the lamp/screen/tub combination. Humidity will likely be your biggest struggle. The benefits of easy husbandry in a tub are likely going to be outweighed by having the screen top and heat lamp. Make sure you're completely confident in your ability to keep both temperature and humidity where they need to be.

[JessicaK]

I'll post a photo. I plan to get a heat may for under the tank, I was just worried about gettin mg the plastic too hot. Here's what it looks like now


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[JessicaK]

[Eric Alan]

That is much better than I had in mind (I was thinking shorter-style tub only a few inches tall). It is still a bit big, so make sure to clutter it up with hides and such like you have. The key to keeping little ones successfully is making sure they're feel secure and comfortable (which means appropriately small, dark, quiet, warm, and humid). A heat mat and thermostat combination will definitely help out once you get that up and running.

The other thought I had is make absolutely sure your little one can't escape. Not sure exactly how the screen is secured, but if there are any weaknesses at all, your new addition will find it. They're little Houdinis!