New ball python enclosure

im going to be getting a baby ball python soon but i need to know. is there a maximum size for glass enclosures? I have a big tank and i wanted to know if i could use it. i dont actually know the gallons but i should like tomorrow. thanks.

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Originally Posted by fatheadf14

im going to be getting a baby ball python soon but i need to know. is there a maximum size for glass enclosures? I have a big tank and i wanted to know if i could use it. i dont actually know the gallons but i should like tomorrow. thanks.

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I suggest a 10 gallon for a baby ball python and a 20 for an adult.
For most balls it's stressful for the tanks to be any bigger than that. Some people can be successful if they have the husbandry perfect and pack it with a lot of fake plants to crowd it.
Big tanks are useless when it comes to regulating temperatures and humidity.

I'm not sure on converting inches to gallons for a glass tank, but would a 36Lx18Wx18H be a good size for an adult?

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Originally Posted by Fireluv007

I'm not sure on converting inches to gallons for a glass tank, but would a 36Lx18Wx18H be a good size for an adult?

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That is the recommended size according to most care sheets.
http://ball-pythons.net/modules.php?...warticle&id=59

18" high is a lot of wasted space to try to heat. I don't mean to sound negative, but that makes it really tough, especially when the snake doesn't care about much more than the lowest 6" or so :)

Good luck :)

thats the size tank that i have, and it is pretty good for an adult, although a lot of people would suggest a tub setup. i would suggest getting a smaller tank or tub for now, and keep the tank you have for when the snake gets larger. it will still need some clutter to fill up the space, but after you put in 2 hides and a water bowl it doesn't take much.

as for heating, yes its still a lot of air to heat, but i have a 40 watt che that takes care of that problem, although i would prefer to have a bit more powerful one. so there is no confusion, i also have a uth that does the bulk of my heating.

The longer shorter tanks that give maximum floor space are incredibly ideal for BP's. They are ground dwelling snakes and are clumsy climbers. I remember when I had a tall tank, my bp would climb up up and up until he fell with a loud clunk. He fell HARD. Imagine if there was some furniture for him to fall on and he could very easily break some ribs, internal injuries and even worse, he could die from a bad fall.


BP's will make use of some taller furniture, but with their blocky size and clumsy climbing, they would do much better with more floor space. Not to mention, it's much easier to get proper heat and humidity in a shorter space instead of a taller one. :)

I actually wouldn't recommend anything taller than 12" for any age Ball Python. Taller tanks are best for climbers, like corns, and arboreals like GTPs.

For a baby BP, a 10 gal tank is preferred. You could also go with a 12 or 15qt tub (which is cheaper) for now and put him/her into a nice 20Long tank when they're older.