Looking Into Getting a Ball Python

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Originally Posted by Ecal

Yea, I don't have it now, but I figure if I'm gonna spend a couple hundred I might as well make it nice and last for a while. Do you know if the T3 will be large enough to hold an adult Ball Python? I Plan on getting a male so I figure around 4.5 feet. The dimensions for the T3 are 36 X 24 X 12. Thanks. From what I've read it should, but I just want some more opinions. If not, for how long until it is time for a larger one? Thanks.

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That will easily hold an adult bp. Males usually range from about 3-4' and females 4-5'. Larger are certainly possible but this is an average.

I am pretty locked on the display cage. Either one has to be in my room and I want something that's going to look nice as well as be functional. I've just got some saving up to do now.

Welcome to BPNet and it's wonderful to see someone planning ahead so thoroughly.

Depending on whether you are looking at purchasing an adult or a baby BP you may want to continue saving for a nice adult sized enclosure but if you are going with the young BP then best to have it in something smaller or as has been advised...provide a lot of hides. BP's are quite shy snakes so large open enclosures freak them out a bit.

The other option for you between a plastic tub or a T-3 is to go the glass viv route. Glass has it's issues but for a nice display it can be a viable option for you to consider. Here's a link from a member here who explains their setup choices.

http://www.onlinethingy.com/files/gr...ges/guide.html

One thing to think about now as well is where you will purchase your snake from. BP's are starting to lay eggs now so you are actually in a great time of year to get to know some reputable breeders and perhaps purchase a lovely wild-type aka normal male. Best sort for pets in my mind and priced accordingly. There's nothing better than a well started captive born baby bp from a good breeder. It will definitely make your first experiences with a BP that much better.

Hope you enjoy your experience here at BPNet! We're happy you're here and pleased to help you with any questions you might have.

Thanks for the very informative reply. My first choice was the glass vivarium, but after reading about heating/humidity issues I thought my best bet would be to go with an AP. Everyone seems to only have great experiences with using them. I have a 20L right now for my turtles, so I am thinking that if I do decide to get one maybe a 30L. I do understand the point about plently of hiding places for a bigger enclosure, and will make sure there are. I do have a question about getting an actual snake though. I most likely will not have have the money and the housing set up until about June 10th or so, do you think that this will be too late for a new young BP? There is a reptile show where I live on June 17th, would you advise going through a breeder, or looking into one at the show? Thanks for all your help and further opinions.

You'll do great with an AP. They make awesome cages. June should be a perfect time for a hatchling BP! I doubt you will have any problems. Just go with a quality source and make sure you get a captive bred snake.

June/July is a perfect time...even into fall really. As far as the show, it really depends on what show it is and what breeders attend it. If you went to say the huge show in Daytona this summer then you'd have a blast and likely meet some of the best breeders in the BP world (if there's any chance you are near Daytona...you should seriously go...wish I could). If it's some rinky dink show with a lot of gawd knows where they came from snakes, then I'd say pass it by and go with a reputable breeder who has some nice spare normal males.

Our calendar lists a lot of upcoming shows and just ask if you aren't sure if this show you are talking about is a good one. Someone on here is likely to know it if they are from your area.

Lol Jo, you beat me to posting the link to Rick's guide, hehe...

You definitely can do a glass viv with proper husbandry...both our girls are in 20L Critter Cage glass vivs and we only have to mist when they are in shed.

Cleo's cage:
http://www.onlinethingy.com/files/gr.../cleopic14.jpg

Carmen's cage (her cage is a bit minimalistic at the moment as we de-mited her cage this past weekend, so her plants are not in there and she's on white flannel + Repti Carpet as substrate until we sure those little sh*theads are all dead):
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...carmencage.jpg

There are more pictures of Cleo's cage on our website; see the link in my sig below. =)

Thanks for the info about the show. The one I am looking at is called the Florida's Reptile and Alternative Pet Show. It is in West Palm Beach, Florida. Anyone know about it? I have looked at your site before, and those are some really good looking snakes! I really appreciate the time that was put into the guide to making the vivarium. Have you ever had any problems with the ZooMed UTH? That was really my only concern. Thanks.

Ive been there a couple times. Its an ok show. Fairly small but with some good vendors. Ben Siegel does the show (or has before). Quality guy and great snakes!

I'm not sure which brand UTH we use - it's really stiff and I *think* it's ZooMed - but we've had no problems with them, in conjunction with Alife thermostats (not the popular t-stat here, but they seem to do fine for us as we check the temps regularly with a temp gun).

We center the hides on top the UTHs (one cool, one warm) and have the probe buried just under the surface of the aspen inside each hide, which makes the surface temps of the hides pretty much perfect every time we check with the temp gun.

When we upgrade the girls to larger enclosures when they are bigger, we will most likely move up to Herpstat or Helix with heat tape. =)