Plastic boxes as a cage

So I've been looking at several threads on this site and many videos on YouTube about ball pythons, and I've been noticing that a lot of people use plastic boxes as a cage. I looked for boxes in my garage, and I managed to find some pretty large ones. But now I'm wondering about the heating and the lightning.

Should I use a UTH?
How big should the box be when the snake grows up?
Do I need some sort of lightning, and what then?
Is the behavior of the ball python different if he lives in a full size terrarium or in a box?

Yes, I'm thinking about getting another ball python, but the terrariums are pretty expensive. This would solve the money problems. :)

Most people use 32qt tubs for adult males, 41 qt for adult females.

6 qt for babies then u can use 28 qt if u want. Me personally i keep my males in 28 Qt's for now. Works fine

UTH (flexwatt is better imo) on a thermostat.

No light needed if ur room temp is around 76 or so because the tub adds a few degrees warmer typically.

Mike got all but one.

I do believe that behaviour is different in an enclosure than tub. I have multiple enclosures and tubs and every now and again trade a snake from tub to enclosure. I start keeping note of what I see after a month or so, it gives the animal time to find a rythem. I have found that most in an tub gain weigh faster but also are a lot less active. I'll look in through the end of the tub and see that the snake is in a hide much of the time. The enclosure snakes seem to spend time moving around in the nights my big female who has done this lots will lay curled so much in her tub that she gets bent scales in the enclosure after a shed or two they go away. I can't say for sure but it seems to me they show more curiosity with all things in the enclosure also seem less timid as well. I use both and am happy with both and have complaints with both. This is just my observations of the same animals in an enclosure and tub.

I'll also add that You don't Always have to trade up tubs, I've kept BP's less than a month old in 41 qt CB70's, each with Privacy, Clutter, and 6 hides and I rarely ever get a refusal when it's feeding time. Now I know others have but the simple solution is if the big tub doesn't work you can always trade down.


But yes if your going to have alot of BP's I have to say tubs are the way to go. they are naturally a very private animal.

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Originally Posted by Seru1

I'll also add that You don't Always have to trade up tubs, I've kept BP's less than a month old in 41 qt CB70's, each with Privacy, Clutter, and 6 hides and I rarely ever get a refusal when it's feeding time. Now I know others have but the simple solution is if the big tub doesn't work you can always trade down.


But yes if your going to have alot of BP's I have to say tubs are the way to go. they are naturally a very private animal.

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Iv kept hatchlings in a 28 qt tub just fine. Same as u. Added more hides, and a few extra things.

Its obviously more complicated because its more things to remove and clean, but if you dont have a 6qt hacking rack but open spaces in a 28 qt rack u do what u gotta do :gj:

Thanks for all the answers guys ! Really helpful.

I found a pretty large plastic tub in my garage. I don't know how many gt it is, so I measured it. It is 83 centimeters long, 18 centimeters high and 46 centimeters deep. As you can see, I'm not from the states so I use centimeters. I don't know if it is too big for a 6 months - 1 year old ball python. I will of course add several hides, waterbowl and some plants. What do you think?

I also thought about the ventilation. Where and how many holes in the tub should there be? My room is quite warm because of the snake cages.
I really appreciate all answers, it really helps. :)

I usually recommend less holes if you need to increase humidity and more holes if you have too much humidity.

If your not sure start out with 4, 2 on each side. That will provide enough air, you can always add more if humidity is too high.

Plastic tubs are great!! I'm switching over to them now, and it makes it so much easier to maintain the correct temps and humidity. An UTH (or flexwatt) works well as long as you have a thermostat, and no, ball pythons don't need any supplemental lighting.

Let's see, 83x46x18cm roughly comes out to 32x18x7 inches, so that would be a perfect size. It might be a little too large for a 6 month - 1 year old, but yeah, as long as you put some fake plants and 2 nice secure hides in there he should be fine, and then he can grow into it as well :)

As far as the number of holes, it does depend on how dry your area is, as was already mentioned. Just try it out by putting whatever bedding you're going to be using in there and start making holes and see what gives you the best humidity. I put my holes in the sides of the tubs and I've been drilling them (1/8 inch or 0.31 cm bit), but I know some people solder them instead.

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Originally Posted by blushingball419

Plastic tubs are great!! I'm switching over to them now, and it makes it so much easier to maintain the correct temps and humidity. An UTH (or flexwatt) works well as long as you have a thermostat, and no, ball pythons don't need any supplemental lighting.

Let's see, 83x46x18cm roughly comes out to 32x18x7 inches, so that would be a perfect size. It might be a little too large for a 6 month - 1 year old, but yeah, as long as you put some fake plants and 2 nice secure hides in there he should be fine, and then he can grow into it as well :)

As far as the number of holes, it does depend on how dry your area is, as was already mentioned. Just try it out by putting whatever bedding you're going to be using in there and start making holes and see what gives you the best humidity. I put my holes in the sides of the tubs and I've been drilling them (1/8 inch or 0.31 cm bit), but I know some people solder them instead.

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Thank you so much for your answer. I will immediately start off making a good tub for my future ball python. It is always so exciting with new snakes :)

Another thing to note about the behavior:

I used to think that more space to roam was a good thing, but a few older keepers pointed out that the more unsuitable a space is, the more roaming a BP will be. This doesn't mean that roaming and exploring is bad, but it CAN be a sign of stress. I think anthropomorphizing the snakes can be a problem. While animals do explore and get curious about new things, sometimes roaming may be a sign they aren't comfortable. For instance, many older dogs get restless if they have arthritis because laying down for too long hurts. It may be good that they are active and moving, but not if they can't sleep well.

No one can say what is going on in their snake's head, but it is something to think about! I think whatever works best for both owner and snake, (as long as the animals are safe and healthy) is the best option!