The best ball python husbandry for new breeders

[mwedgley]

Hey all, I am kind of new to herpetology as well as ball pythons but since buying one I have been enthralled in all the beautiful morphs and the culture as many of you appear to be a really great community. I have had a lot of question as I am hoping to start a small breeding project and would love some pointers from all of you knowledgable folks out there. A couple of my questions are these. This year my plans are to only go with three balls, one male, two females. I plan to make a snake rack big enough to house six and on top it will have a cage that is bigger to show off my most beautiful of the bunch. The cage to house the most beautiful will be about 48inches long 18 high and 16 deep. If this is not sufficient please let me know. If you think this is possible to house more than one also please let me know. Is this possible to be a main breeding tank? Due to introducing the male into the female cages keeping the females in the racks which are sweater boxes that are 6 3/4 tall by 26 long by 17 1/2 wide will that be big enough for breeding. I have a lot of questions and would like to keep this thread available for those who are considering starting breeding to obtain great results and for those who have a lot of experience to enlighten us and share their knowledgle with those who will listen carefully.

[Bruce Whitehead]

I personally do not use cages, nor have any of my snakes on display, so cannot help you there. I kee p all 8 of my bps in my rack.

But as far as a breeder tank goes, they are not necessary.

During breeding you will introduce your male into your female's enclosure.

There are lots of threads around on how to properly set up a glass/display/viv... I would make sure to read them carefully.

Bruce

[mwedgley]

so then will my rack boxes be big enough for breeding. What would you say the minimum size the racks should be?

[jknudson]

so then will my rack boxes be big enough for breeding. What would you say the minimum size the racks should be?

That answer will vary depending on whom you talk to. I know there are many people that will keep anything from 600 grams to their largest of adults in 28/32qt tubs and breed in them aswell, while others may opt for the bigger girls, or all girls 1000g+ to go into 41qt tubs.

Either will work just fine. Fine your personal preference, get to know your animals, some animals just will not be secure in the larger tubs.

Hope this helps.