Enclosure size?

[Can-AmOutlanderXMR]

Hey all, greetings from Raleigh(ish) NC, and thanks to Kaorte for pointing me in this direction after some not so constructive help on reddit by other users! Anyway, my question: My Lucy (Lucille Ball Python) is growing well, and was 170 grams last week. And eating two "small" mice without difficulty, I'm not EXACTLY sure how long she is, he last shed was about 22". I'd like to put her in a 40g breeder that I have. I've of course heard two schools of though, 1) being that BP's don't like enclosures that are too big, that it stresses them out. and 2) that it just doesn't matter, as long as she has enough hides, and the correct temperature gradient. OR is it that at her size, the 40 breeder is fine anyway? Thanks much for the help, I really want her to be happy and healthy. I bought her to overcome a lifelong fear of snakes, so far it's working well, her and I are "growing" together.

[Streller]

First off, welcome to the forum, and that's so good that you bought a snake to break your lifelong fear off snakes, they're no so bad once you get to know them, are they? I bought mine to satisfy my lifelong love and interest for snakes, as well as to educate friends and family. Yes, it's true that royals don't need an excessive amount of room, because they don't really like open areas, they're not active hunters, they're opportunists. As anyone else will agree, a royal is most happy when they're hiding away. I reckon the 40g is definitely fine for the moment, but I don't work with g's, I just work with ft for wooden vivariums, someone will be able to come along and later clarify.

You'll definitely have to give us some pictures of your Lucy.

[Can-AmOutlanderXMR]

@Streller, thanks for the input. I see you're in the UK, for size, the 40G breeder would be about (in CM) 91X46x44 (LxWxD).

[jbzapanda]

Ahh! Welcome! I also bought my noodle to get over my fear, but after a Repticon, I was completely over it! A little shaky when handling but otherwise it was great glad to know someone is nearby! I'm 30 min away from Raleigh(ish) area. As for enclosure size, I think you'll get mixed inputs. Personally I would try it and see how she reacts to it. You could always downsize if needed. I'm sure others with much more experience than I have will chime in. Congrats on your Lucy and +1 with the pics!

[BBotteron]

If you put in such a big enclosure make sure to cramp it up with fake vines, cover, things to climb on etc. pvc pipe is great for them to climb on and play around. If is cluttered as such it won't seem so big to your bp


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kaorte]

Hey there! Glad you found us! I don't know what's going on on Reddit... everyone seems to praise the advice of one new keeper... sooooo yeah.

My problem with 40g tanks is that they are suuuuper tall. Think about the volume of air inside the tank that you need to heat and humidity. It is quite the task.

A 170g snake in a 40g is a bit overkill in my opinion. Have you considered a tub setup or a pvc enclosure? PVC is a little more expensive, but so much easier to keep temp and humidity where they need to be.

Perhaps you could use a tub setup until she is a bit bigger and then move her to a permanent PVC enclosure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Can-AmOutlanderXMR]

Hey there! Glad you found us! I don't know what's going on on Reddit... everyone seems to praise the advice of one new keeper... sooooo yeah.

My problem with 40g tanks is that they are suuuuper tall. Think about the volume of air inside the tank that you need to heat and humidity. It is quite the task.

A 170g snake in a 40g is a bit overkill in my opinion. Have you considered a tub setup or a pvc enclosure? PVC is a little more expensive, but so much easier to keep temp and humidity where they need to be.

Perhaps you could use a tub setup until she is a bit bigger and then move her to a permanent PVC enclosure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I love the look of the PVC "professional" display cases, but my pockets just aren't THAT deep, they get over $400 really quick from what I've seen. As for keeping her in a tub, I just can't do it. I know that the environment is easy to control that way, but they seem so impersonal, and I've not seen a tub setup that you can see in. I want a setup that I can see in at all times. Right now, she's in the bedroom in a 20L aquarium. I'm not in love with her substrate, because I do have to mist her ALL the time to keep humidity above 50%. Her substrate is the ecoearth shredded coconut. I like that it's natural, but dries out very fast. As always, thanks for all the help!!

[Can-AmOutlanderXMR]

Ahh! Welcome! I also bought my noodle to get over my fear, but after a Repticon, I was completely over it! A little shaky when handling but otherwise it was great glad to know someone is nearby! I'm 30 min away from Raleigh(ish) area. As for enclosure size, I think you'll get mixed inputs. Personally I would try it and see how she reacts to it. You could always downsize if needed. I'm sure others with much more experience than I have will chime in. Congrats on your Lucy and +1 with the pics!

jbzapanda where are you located? I'm between Clayton and Garner, in the 40/42 area, located in the JoCo! Are you familiar with any local places to get snakes and accessories that AREN'T petsmart, petco?

[Streller]

If you're struggling with humidity, I suggest that you get some sphagnum moss in the hides, or even just in some kind of ornament, that will help hold the humidity, especially if you keep it moist.

[Kaorte]

Well in that case, just keep her in the 20g. I don't think she will outgrow it for another year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk