Ball Python Housing Question?

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post and I'm about to buy my first snake! I just wanted to be sure of something before I went to get her. I know that baby BP's should be kept in 10 gallon tank, but would it be hurtful to put her in a 40 gallon tank right from childhood, as long as I have a hot and cold side, multiple hides and a few space fillers (logs and such). I tried looking on yahoo answers and found two questions dealing with it pretty much both give opposite answers.

If your curious here they are...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...2212534AAs0qSs

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...2233039AA14vtd

Any help you could give would be great.
Thanks,

Mike

Start here... http://ball-pythons.net/modules/Sect...warticle&id=59 In my opinion a 40 is way to big for a hatchling ball , I would stay at a 10 to start with.

you could cut off much of the tank with a divider.home made would be fine.

Third time I've posted this tonight...

To keep it simple, cheap, and easy to take care of, I'd just use (for a hatchling) a shoebox sized tub, a used buttercup with an entrance cut as a hide, and paper or paper towels for substrate. Then a little Flexwatt for heating because it's SO much cheaper than a UTH. This inexpensive digital thermostat. And the Accurite unit w/probe. Also some small water bowl that is hopefully difficult to tip. I'm using an ashtray right now.

This works great even if you plan to move them up to a glass tank one day. I don't think they ever really need more than a 20gal. And they seem to do much better when they're obnoxiously crowded into a space, rather than when they have room to move around. (better=eating)

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Originally Posted by stevepoppers

Third time I've posted this tonight...

To keep it simple, cheap, and easy to take care of, I'd just use (for a hatchling) a shoebox sized tub, a used buttercup with an entrance cut as a hide, and paper or paper towels for substrate. Then a little Flexwatt for heating because it's SO much cheaper than a UTH. This inexpensive digital thermostat. And the Accurite unit w/probe. Also some small water bowl that is hopefully difficult to tip. I'm using an ashtray right now.

This works great even if you plan to move them up to a glass tank one day. I don't think they ever really need more than a 20gal. And they seem to do much better when they're obnoxiously crowded into a space, rather than when they have room to move around. (better=eating)

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He didn't ask how to care for the snake. He wants to know what size of a tank he can keep a Baby BP in.

Start him out in a 10 Gal Tank. A 40 Gallon is too big I made this simple mistake when I was going to pick up my Ball Python I told the breeder I was going to put him in a 40 gallon with lots of furniture and he said to put him in a 10 Gallon and I haven't had one problem with him. So to answer your question strait and simple. Put the Baby BP in a 10 Gallon Tank. =)

The important part to take from my post was the size of the enclosure, which was it's main focus. Will a little extra information about what's in it hurt him?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stevepoppers

The important part to take from my post was the size of the enclosure, which was it's main focus. Will a little extra information about what's in it hurt him?

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You didn't once mention a 10 Gallon Tank in your post. He specifically asked a question about Tanks not how to setup a snakes cage and what kind of enclosure to use. The extra information is appreciated but if your going to post in a thread try and keep in on topic. Also a 20 gal tank is to small for an Adult Ball Python.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hunter94

You didn't once mention a 10 Gallon Tank in your post. He specifically asked a question about Tanks not how to setup a snakes cage and what kind of enclosure to use. The extra information is appreciated but if your going to post in a thread try and keep in on topic. Also a 20 gal tank is to small for an Adult Ball Python.

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A 20 gallon tank is plenty big for an adult male ball python. Anything bigger will just stress out a snake. A female can go into a 30 gallon long.

OP: Would it be hurtful to put it in a 40 gal. right from childhood?
ME: Yes. I recommend something much smaller, such as a shoebox-sized plastic tub, not just because of size, but because it will also make your life easier.

Happy with that?

Thank you both for showing a NEW snake owner how condescending we can be here on BP.net.

Great Ambassadors,
Jim Smith