Snake Size/Tub Size

[Skeptiball]

I currently have three ball pythons - 638, 685, and 770 grams respectively - that each have their own 40-gallon glass terrariums. They have plenty of room with multiple areas to hide and feel secure. Despite what people have told me about keeping snakes of their size in such large enclosures, they are thriving. I didn't get the 40-gallon tanks to spite the advice I was given, I just wanted to be able to easily see my snakes and to show them to other people. As much as I like their current setup, I have to admit that it does take up quite a bit of space and it is a chore to maintain stable humidity levels. I eventually want to get a few more snakes and keeping them all in 40-gallon tanks just wouldn't be practicle. I'm thinking of buying or building a rack system in the near future but I'm not sure what size tubs to use. To be honest, I would like to start, and just stay with 41 quart tubs. Like the 40-gallon tanks I currently use, most things I'm reading are advising against housing smaller snakes in such large tubs. I understand the reasoning behind the advice but I was wondering that if I provided enough hides in a 41 quart tub, would that be okay? Ball pythons in the wild have unlimited space to roam around and they've survived for millions of years. I realize they spend most of their time in rodent borrows and inside termite mounds in the wild so that's why I think providing several hides in a 41 quart tub would be fine. Am I completely off-base here?

Does anybody out their house their smaller snakes in large tubs? If so, how do you like it, and more importantly, how are your snakes doing? I look forward to hearing from you.

[JustinGatCat]

Both of my snakes are in 41 qt tubs and they both have hides and plants...and I’m still renovating them. I plan on adding some drift wood to them. My Big one year old male Pua has been in his tub since he was 6 months old, and Lily Dragon my 4 month old female is in a 41 qt too. They both are doing great, Eating healthy and shedding. Just make sure you add plenty of cover for them as well



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[Starscream]

I've housed my 300g ball python in a 50 gallon tub since she was 59g, and she thrives. Never misses a meal, explores all over the place at night when not in shed. So, bigger tubs do work with small snakes, so long as you do it right, same as cluttering up a tank, you should have no problems.

[JustinGatCat]

This is my 1 year old male’s Tub

And this is the 4 month female’s. Her tub is still under renovation, she’s going to get a new hide and water dish soon, and both will get new decor eventually.


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[Tonald Drump]

Okay, this may not be the response you're looking for, and this might sound offensive in a way, but I mean this sincerely with good will: If you want to keep your snake in a terrarium, always make sure that the humidity is okay where you live (where I live, it's around 55-60% which is perfect), and you have space, since those are the problems you have. But to answer your question, a 41qt tub should be more than enough for your BPs, though I personally prefer terrariums.

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[Skeptiball]

Okay, this may not be the response you're looking for, and this might sound offensive in a way, but I mean this sincerely with good will: If you want to keep your snake in a terrarium, always make sure that the humidity is okay where you live (where I live, it's around 55-60% which is perfect), and you have space, since those are the problems you have. But to answer your question, a 41qt tub should be more than enough for your BPs, though I personally prefer terrariums.

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No offense taken, Tonald. I just wanted to ask my question to a group of people with more experience than I have.

While I do like the ease of seeing my snakes in a terrarium, especially at night when they're on the move, I'm starting to lean more in the rack direction.

Thanks for your time.

[Skeptiball]

Both of my snakes are in 41 qt tubs and they both have hides and plants...and I’m still renovating them. I plan on adding some drift wood to them. My Big one year old male Pua has been in his tub since he was 6 months old, and Lily Dragon my 4 month old female is in a 41 qt too. They both are doing great, Eating healthy and shedding. Just make sure you add plenty of cover for them as well



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Thank you for your help and time, JustinGatCat. The photos were a nice addition as well. Take care.

[dylan815]

No offense taken, Tonald. I just wanted to ask my question to a group of people with more experience than I have.

While I do like the ease of seeing my snakes in a terrarium, especially at night when they're on the move, I'm starting to lean more in the rack direction.

Thanks for your time.

I have kept all my snakes in glass tanks for years. Yesterday I finished building my first rack. It holds 4 41q tubs and has heat tape. It’s so awesome. I highly suggest a rack system for easy cleaning, controlling, and managing.


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[Regius_049]

They have plenty of room with multiple areas to hide and feel secure. Despite what people have told me about keeping snakes of their size in such large enclosures, they are thriving. To be honest, I would like to start, and just stay with 41 quart tubs. Like the 40-gallon tanks I currently use, most things I'm reading are advising against housing smaller snakes in such large tubs. I understand the reasoning behind the advice but I was wondering that if I provided enough hides in a 41 quart tub, would that be okay? Ball pythons in the wild have unlimited space to roam around and they've survived for millions of years. I realize they spend most of their time in rodent borrows and inside termite mounds in the wild so that's why I think providing several hides in a 41 quart tub would be fine. Am I completely off-base here?

Does anybody out their house their smaller snakes in large tubs? If so, how do you like it, and more importantly, how are your snakes doing? I look forward to hearing from you.

I don't know who is telling you this information, but I would say that at best, you should take it with a grain of salt, and at worst, they are incorrect.

1. Generally, the advice of a smaller enclosure is given to people because it simplifies reptile husbandry and makes the setup easier to maintain in respect to security, humidity, and heat. I personally have always disliked this approach and advice, though I can respect why it is given. Veteran keepers are some point decided it was better for newcomers to have a snake that was eating and had access to proper temperatures, than chance them screwing up a larger enclosure and running into a litany of problems. Couple this with the fact that many new keepers get animals from what I will call, substandard sources, and its a recipe for disaster. As sad as it makes me, new comers to snake keeping get a large amount of their information from places like Petco or very large, popular breeders, or some random person on YouTube which often suggest improper advice or a narrow viewpoint. I swear I twitch every time I hear something "needs belly" heat. I would also point out that this approach, while clearly successful in many cases, is not optimal.

2. A 41 qt tub is by no means a large enclosure relatively speaking. The standard 41 qt tub from IRIS, Sterilite, etc. is roughly 36" x 17" x 6". Consider the typical ball python averages around 3-4 ft, meaning the enclosure is just barely the same length as an adult snake. From a girth (diameter) perspective, they range about 3-4", so about half the height of your tub.

3. The setup your are considering (generally) should be encouraged, rather than be considered unusual. A larger setup allows for an improved thermal gradient, multiple hiding locations, "artificial" burrows, foliage / clutter (real or artificial), and additional height. This height (depending on how much is given) can range from providing climbing opportunities or merely facilitating swallowing food items.

In short, the only people who are off base, are those telling you a smaller setup is required.

[Godzilla78]

As long as you can maintain proper humidity, proper temperatures and proper secure hides, the enclosure size doesn't matter. The reason people recommend smaller enclosures is because it is much easier to maintain all the husbandry needs of a ball python in a small enclosure. Theoretically, you could keep a ball python perfectly happy in a huge garage sized enclosure, but unless you lived in a tropical environment, the husbandry needs would be ridiculously difficult to maintain, and the ball python would hang out in the hides 99% of the time, so the large enclosure would be relatively useless.

I keep mine in 55 quart tubs, 30" x 24" floor plan x 6.25" high.