Getting a ball python, have a few questions

So I've decided to get a python :)

Ive done alot of research and still have a couple questions.

alot of places say a 20 to 30 gallon tank is sufficient, but would it be ok to go bigger? I have a friend with a 55 gallon fish tank, would there be a problem with using that? (it been cleaned out, and i'll make a screen for the top)

Also, how do i find a good vet for my python?

and finally, I'm a student, so i'm generally gone during the day, will this be a problem?

also, any tips for the newbie snake owner would be very helpful!

Thanks!

BTW: I have a friend whose mother works with exotic animals, so shes trying to find me a mojave! :D

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alot of places say a 20 to 30 gallon tank is sufficient, but would it be ok to go bigger? I have a friend with a 55 gallon fish tank, would there be a problem with using that? (it been cleaned out, and i'll make a screen for the top)

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An adult will not requier anything larger than a 30 gallons tank, however if you get a baby you need to start with a small tank (10 gallons). BP are very shy and more prone to stress than other snakes.

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Also, how do i find a good vet for my python?

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http://www.arav.org/USMembers.htm

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and finally, I'm a student, so i'm generally gone during the day, will this be a problem?

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Not a problem

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also, any tips for the newbie snake owner would be very helpful!

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Make sure to do your homework, have your setup is ready before buying your BP. This will be a good place to start to understand how to setup your future BP

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...004#post569004

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

Oh and :welcome: aboard

Welcome to BP.net!! :handshake I hope you find all the answers you need here...and more!


alot of places say a 20 to 30 gallon tank is sufficient, but would it be ok to go bigger? I have a friend with a 55 gallon fish tank, would there be a problem with using that? (it been cleaned out, and i'll make a screen for the top)

For BP's, smaller is definitely better. A young BP will likely be overwhelmed in a giant tank. And even a fully matured large female does not need one that big. They are also a huge pain to maintain proper temp gradients and humidity levels. It CAN be done...but is it worth all the extra work and sweat and worry? That's up to you.

Also, how do i find a good vet for my python?

Try any of these links:
http://www.arav.org/USMembers.htm
http://www.anapsid.org/vets/index.html#vetlist
http://www.herpvetconnection.com/

and finally, I'm a student, so i'm generally gone during the day, will this be a problem?

Not a problem at all. They'd much rather be left on their own and wont' ever beg for attention. ;)

also, any tips for the newbie snake owner would be very helpful!

My best and first tip is to go to BP.net and sign up and introduce yourself. :P Also, check out our caresheet:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=52

And my other favorite piece of advice is to decide how you want to house your snake and then get it all set up WELL BEFORE you bring the snake home. Give it at least a few days of being completely set up and running so you can make sure everything is dialed in right. It can be a real pain, and no fun for the snake, if you have to keep re-arranging and tweaking his new home once he gets put in it. That can set his acclimation back by weeks.

Good luck! Feel free to ask as many questions as you need to in order to feel confident about caring for your new friend!

Thanks for the tips!

I think i'm going to wait until i know the EXACT python i'm getting before i go and buy anything, but i def will wait to bring the python home until i have its home ready to go!

oh and one more question, how much per month should i expect to spend to keep my BP happy? (its not an issue of being able to afford it or not, just curious)

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Originally Posted by mysaabisfaster

oh and one more question, how much per month should i expect to spend to keep my BP happy? (its not an issue of being able to afford it or not, just curious)

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I guess it depends on what you use for substrate and what you decide to feed. (And what it'll eat...they can be picky...LOL) But really, for one snake, the monthy cost is minimal. Buying expensive rats at a chain petstore...and using a substrate that has to be replaced periodically, I'd guess $20-$30 a month. Finding less expensive feeders at a mom&pop store...or buying frozen in bulk...and using newspaper or something similar for substrate could reduce that cost significantly.

Save your money and buy a rack instead of a tank or even just a tub. Most likly you will be addicted like the rest of us.

I started with a tank. A 20g long to be exact. No problems maintaining temp or humidity. Tanks are just to bulky. And for display, the snakes hide 90% of the time anyway, so you are displaying a seemingly empty tank.

I have a rack on the way from Rich at RBI with a thermostat.

Coming shortly after that is my female spider :)

Also try and buy from a breeder or you might as well buy a can of Provent-a-mite with your pet store snake. Some breeders give away free normals with the cost of shipping, so it is usually less than a pet store anyway.

sweet, i was thinking of getting at cat for a while, then i found out my apartment complex would charge an extra $150 a month to keep it o_O.....

they dont charge me anything for "small reptiles"

i asked what they meant and the lady up front said as long as i didnt have an iguana or an anaconda i was probably ok :)

i'm gonna ask today if a BP specifically qualifies as a small reptile.

Once again, thanks for the help :)

i'd get a rack.... if i had the room...

its times like these i ask myself why i got a studio apartment... then i remember how cheap my rent is! :)

Whenever my hubby and I have to rent and the potential landlord asks if we have pets...I always say, "Nothing that can't live in a glass tank." That's always good enough for them and not one has ever asked for more detail than that. (we move somewhat frequently due to the military and have interviewed a LOT of landlords!)

Get yourself a plastic tub... Anything smaller than 66qt($12)... 2 small black Zilla hides(3$ea.), a water dish from walmart(2$), something to climb on ($15), heat mat(flexwatt is real cheap 5$), thermostat(spend the extra and get a good one 75$), digital acurite thermometer(2 in 1 for 12$ walmart) and your pretty much all set... Use newspaper for ur substrate its free.... food sould be 3$ a week at most (small rat) for when its full grown so less than that if its a baby. Only like 12$ a month and your golden