Adopting a Ball Python

Welcome to the forums Rick! A BP a great choice! Everyone pretty much covered the advice. As others said I'd also recommend checking out the BP.net caresheet and checking out a local reptile expo (there is a list of all upcoming reptile expo's on www.kingsnake.com)

my thoughts on this,

Tanks are for displaying your snakes like a piece of art and there is nothing wrong with that BUT if you live in dryer less humid areas it can be a problem.

Racks/Tubs are great here in Arizona where its dry, they create perfect sheds. Its just disturbing to open the rack to find what looks like a rolled up condom and a big pile poo . Reminds me of a bad movie involving rednecks.

Racks create a smaller area if you have multiple snakes and easier to keep all the electric cords in a single area

Thanks everybody. I really appreciate the advice! For a full grown ball python, how large of an enclosure would you suggest we look into? I've read different things all over the internet, but I feel comfortable with the advice I've been given here.

I'm new to this game as well. My reading says that a 20-gal. long tank (30"'x12"x12") would be good for a 4-5 foot adult Ball. They aren't arboreal, so they don't need the height. And they prefer to stay coiled up in their hides, so the 30" length dimension is enough to provide a cool side and a warm side.

Better smaller than larger.