40 Gallon Tank Question

[DragonFlier]

Hi, I have a 40 gallon long terrarium that is currently housing my albino corn snake, but I was wondering since I want to someday get a ball python if they are able to stay in a 40 gallon long. I've heard that they need a 40 gallon breeder terrarium at minimum for an adult but I just wanted to know if a 40 gallon long terrarium would be okay also. (Just an fyi I am not planning on getting a ball python to house with my corn snake so you don't need to worry about that, I'm just wondering if there is a big difference between long and breeder terrariums.) Thank you for any answers!

[bcr229]

Size-wise it would work as long as you don't get an overly large female, but as with all tanks maintaining correct heat and humidity in it will be a lot of work. If you can make a plexiglass top for it that will help a lot.

[dakski]

Hi, I have a 40 gallon long terrarium that is currently housing my albino corn snake, but I was wondering since I want to someday get a ball python if they are able to stay in a 40 gallon long. I've heard that they need a 40 gallon breeder terrarium at minimum for an adult but I just wanted to know if a 40 gallon long terrarium would be okay also. (Just an fyi I am not planning on getting a ball python to house with my corn snake so you don't need to worry about that, I'm just wondering if there is a big difference between long and breeder terrariums.) Thank you for any answers!

What are the dimensions of the 40G long?

I would, off the top of my head, say okay for a corn, but not okay for a BP adult, certainly a female.

Glass tanks are fine with corns because they have low temp and humidity requirements. BP's, not as much. Hotter temps and much higher minimum humidity, which is hard to keep in a glass tank. Not impossible, but an uphill battle.

Also, BP's are much thicker snakes. My male adult corn, Figment, is a good 5 ft and 640G. Shayna, my barely 4ft female BP, is 1,700G. She needs more room to turn around, curl up, etc. Not as nimble as a corn. Much bigger footprint, so to speak.

Sorry to disappoint you, but that's my opinion.

[dakski]

Size-wise it would work as long as you don't get an overly large female, but as with all tanks maintaining correct heat and humidity in it will be a lot of work. If you can make a plexiglass top for it that will help a lot.

I agree with bcr229, if it's a an average male, you are probably ok, except for the heating and humidity issues, which can be addressed, with work.

However, large male or female, I would still say no. Again, just my two cents.

The minimum I would keep a female BP is a 3X2' but preferably, a 4X2'. Again, the depth being the issue in my opinion, more than length.

[bcr229]

What are the dimensions of the 40G long?

48" long x 13" deep x 17" tall (outer dimensions)

Turn it on its side and make a drop-door insert for the opening, add a UTH under the new "floor" on each side so you can create a nice temp gradient, and you could put a big female in it.

[55fingers]

I keep my male BP in a 40 gallon long (I think). I wish I had a 40 gallon breeder for him, but he's only just under 3 feet and probably won't get too much bigger.

All in all I say go for it if you're getting a male, but I'd get a 40 gallon breeder if you want a female.