Possibly purchasing a young Ball Python this weekend. Need some advice.

First off I would like to say hello to you all here at BP.net. I also apologize if I placed this thread in the wrong forum. So I would like to know some things to look for when purchasing a ball python and set up from someone. I have a friend of mine and he is looking to get rid of his snake. I've wanted one for ages so I thought now was the best chance. He is offering a 75 gallon tank, UTH, bedding, hides, and a thermometer. I am not sure exactly how old the male ball python is. He purchased it a few months ago I believe from the local pet smart. It has been fed live mice, I'd have to ask him again what kind they were again. I talked to some of his closer friends and they claim he has taken well care of it and I trust them. He does not have heat in his house so I'm assuming it is a under temperature on the cool side. I do plan on taking every measure possible to give him the proper climate in the enclosure. I am guessing a thermostat would be a good purchase from the store if I get him. I have been doing my research about their processes of showing illness and what not. So I was mainly wondering what particular things should I keep an eye out for when looking at the snake and his enclosure? I should be getting pictures here shortly and could possibly upload them for some assistance. I'm somewhat new to the reptile world so if I left out anything important or said something wrong I apologize. Thank you.

A thermostat is a necessary purchase with this setup or that UTH will get hot enough to burn the snake. The current owner is lucky that it hasn't happened yet.

The tank size is overly large for the snake currently so if you only get two hides with it I would add more. Also, search for the tons of threads on this site of how to maintain correct temperatures and humidity in a glass tank so the little guy stays healthy.

Turns out the snake is around a year old. But I did figure that tank is overly large so I'm planning on getting as many hides as he needs. The current owner said since he's cold he's not growing that much in diameter. Could something like that be a major worry or just climate related? Anyways thank you for the helpful advice.


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Originally Posted by McNeish

Turns out the snake is around a year old. But I did figure that tank is overly large so I'm planning on getting as many hides as he needs. The current owner said since he's cold he's not growing that much in diameter. Could something like that be a major worry or just climate related? Anyways thank you for the helpful advice.

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If he's not growing much, he's underfed. Proper temps, proper humidity, consistent feedings, and he'll start growing again.

If he's been kept in cold conditions, make sure he doesn't have a respiratory infection. Listen for wheezing, clicking, popping noises while he breathes, and check for mucus/saliva around the mouth.

If he's relatively healthy just underfed and kept too cold, once you restore proper conditions he'll most likely recover fairly quickly.

Well that's good to know. I'll definitely look quite hard with the respiratory infection. I'm getting the pictures today according to the current owner. I'll upload them when I get them and let you guys look and see if there's anything abnormal about the snake or his enclosure.



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Not sure how much money you're investing to begin with, but I have another idea. Depending on what you plan to use as hides, you may be better off buying a smaller enclosure to begin with and move up to the larger size. I don't know what your money situation/storage space is like, but it may be a decent idea. I personally like to get the cool looking caves/trees in order to provide a good looking setup, and some of those can be expensive, whereas a 20 gallon tank would likely be more affordable and work with your current options. Good luck with your purchase!

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Originally Posted by chadphillips8352

Not sure how much money you're investing to begin with, but I have another idea. Depending on what you plan to use as hides, you may be better off buying a smaller enclosure to begin with and move up to the larger size. I don't know what your money situation/storage space is like, but it may be a decent idea. I personally like to get the cool looking caves/trees in order to provide a good looking setup, and some of those can be expensive, whereas a 20 gallon tank would likely be more affordable and work with your current options. Good luck with your purchase!

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Thank you! I just started working so my hours aren't that high yet. If all else fails with the tank being too large even with adding a few more hides. I was thinking to try a tub setup. He wants $50 for everything. So if everything checks out. It's a great deal. I have plenty of space for his current enclosure. Depending on how much my paycheck is this week is how much I'll spend on him. The current owner said he is around 2 and a half feet long. He also today said the snake is eating well, 2 size appropriate mice a week right now. He said he uses some kind of mulch for bedding.


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Definitely do a lot of browsing on this forum. There are some really great threads on husbandry where you will find useful information on pretty much everything related to setting up a proper enclosure - listen to the opinions of others and decide what works best for you. For example, you mention bedding - some folks will use a cypress mulch, others will go with newspaper or paper towel...it's often a matter of preference. As others have said, proper temps and humidity are KEY. I "rescued" a very malnourished BP about a year ago - she was extremely thin (85 grams at 4 months old), way under fed, kept it cold and dry conditions, had old shed all over her etc. Now she's a 850+g, eats like a champ, absolutely beautiful. Snake keeping is a great and rewarding hobby but BE FOREWARNED - it is ADDICTIVE!! You'll have 3-5 snakes in a year, trust me :) Good luck - happy to see you on hear. Read lots and ask questions. Welcome :)

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Originally Posted by DMills

Definitely do a lot of browsing on this forum. There are some really great threads on husbandry where you will find useful information on pretty much everything related to setting up a proper enclosure - listen to the opinions of others and decide what works best for you. For example, you mention bedding - some folks will use a cypress mulch, others will go with newspaper or paper towel...it's often a matter of preference. As others have said, proper temps and humidity are KEY. I "rescued" a very malnourished BP about a year ago - she was extremely thin (85 grams at 4 months old), way under fed, kept it cold and dry conditions, had old shed all over her etc. Now she's a 850+g, eats like a champ, absolutely beautiful. Snake keeping is a great and rewarding hobby but BE FOREWARNED - it is ADDICTIVE!! You'll have 3-5 snakes in a year, trust me :) Good luck - happy to see you on hear. Read lots and ask questions. Welcome :)

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Ha! 3-5 in a year. I'm up to seven in three months. Loving this hobby! LOL

Just to add to the great advice already given, start feeding rats instead of mice. Also, invest in a digital scale :) you can get a cheap one from any big box store (around $10).
This will help with feeding and other things. It's a good idea to keep track of patterns as well, such as a log-type journal. I always mark down when my snakes eat, shed, or act "weird". Just an idea!

Thank you all for the great advice. Glad to see some helpful and nice people on forums. I've run into quite a few mean people on car forums lol. I've wanted a pet snake for as long as I can remember. But my mom hates snakes. But I pulled the "I'm an 18 year old adult now and can fight for our country. But cannot own a Ball Python?" Surprisingly this statement worked haha. I'm checking out the husbandry right now.


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Originally Posted by DMills

Definitely do a lot of browsing on this forum. There are some really great threads on husbandry where you will find useful information on pretty much everything related to setting up a proper enclosure - listen to the opinions of others and decide what works best for you. For example, you mention bedding - some folks will use a cypress mulch, others will go with newspaper or paper towel...it's often a matter of preference. As others have said, proper temps and humidity are KEY. I "rescued" a very malnourished BP about a year ago - she was extremely thin (85 grams at 4 months old), way under fed, kept it cold and dry conditions, had old shed all over her etc. Now she's a 850+g, eats like a champ, absolutely beautiful. Snake keeping is a great and rewarding hobby but BE FOREWARNED - it is ADDICTIVE!! You'll have 3-5 snakes in a year, trust me :) Good luck - happy to see you on hear. Read lots and ask questions. Welcome :)

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Ha 3-5 in a year. im up to 10 ball pythons ,2 corn snakes, 1 columbian rainbow boa,1 bci, 1 hog nose, 1 carpet python, 2 leopard geckos, and a water dragon. i just started my collection at the end of june the beggining of july.

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This is a great forum for info. Even though I've had my girl for 4 yrs I still ask questions and get great answers. A 75 gal is big for a yearling. You can clutter it up with crumpled up news paper, paper towels, a lot of hides 2 water dishes, and decor. Also try to black out all of 3 sides and a good portion of the front. They like security and having the glass blacked out with construction paper, blankets cardboard or anything so you have a small viewing area into the enclosure will make him feel more secure. Also please please please if your mom doesn't like snakes make sure you lock the top (I'm assuming it has a screen top) so he can't escape. I'm very sure she doesn't need or want company while in the bathroom lol. I also second the switching to rats. They have a bit more meat on them and will help him if he needs more nutrition. Also for the first week don't mess with him except to check him and give fresh water. Let him get settled in and calmed down after the move. Good luck with him and post some pics.

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Originally Posted by McNeish

I've wanted a pet snake for as long as I can remember. But my mom hates snakes. But I pulled the "I'm an 18 year old adult now and can fight for our country. But cannot own a Ball Python?" Surprisingly this statement worked haha.

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LOL you're lucky she didn't come back with "My roof, my rules. When you move out you can get one."

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Originally Posted by bcr229

LOL you're lucky she didn't come back with "My roof, my rules. When you move out you can get one."

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It was a pretty risky shot at it haha. My dad was only concerned with price. He didn't want me blowing one or two full paychecks on this. Now he wants to see it feed lol.


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Originally Posted by Phantomtip

This is a great forum for info. Even though I've had my girl for 4 yrs I still ask questions and get great answers. A 75 gal is big for a yearling. You can clutter it up with crumpled up news paper, paper towels, a lot of hides 2 water dishes, and decor. Also try to black out all of 3 sides and a good portion of the front. They like security and having the glass blacked out with construction paper, blankets cardboard or anything so you have a small viewing area into the enclosure will make him feel more secure. Also please please please if your mom doesn't like snakes make sure you lock the top (I'm assuming it has a screen top) so he can't escape. I'm very sure she doesn't need or want company while in the bathroom lol. I also second the switching to rats. They have a bit more meat on them and will help him if he needs more nutrition. Also for the first week don't mess with him except to check him and give fresh water. Let him get settled in and calmed down after the move. Good luck with him and post some pics.

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Thank you for the advice. I'd like to get him as quickly as possible because the owner said he's getting ready to go into shed. So I'd like to get the enclosure at the proper heat and humidity set up before that occurs. Other than that I saw a video of him eating. From the video he looked quite healthy. He was able to strike and constrict the mouse very quickly.


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Buy it, sell the 75g tank on craigslist for 50 bucks - now it's free.

Re-invest the 50 bucks toward a thermostat and a smaller cage. PVC is going to make your life a lot easier than glass.

You're on this site, so you've already taken the first steps to becoming a pro keeper.

Good luck and have fun!

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Originally Posted by MrLang

Buy it, sell the 75g tank on craigslist for 50 bucks - now it's free.

Re-invest the 50 bucks toward a thermostat and a smaller cage. PVC is going to make your life a lot easier than glass.

You're on this site, so you've already taken the first steps to becoming a pro keeper.

Good luck and have fun!

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Agreed :)

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Id say keep the 75gal and just load it with hides. 75gal is still pretty big for a BP but you never know when youll need it again if you get more snakes. 50$ for all of that is a good price, id say keep it in that case.

The 75 gal makes heating a harder issue sometimes... if you keep it I would get a ceramic heat emitter to help depending on the temp of the room it'll be in

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Originally Posted by McNeish

"I'm an 18 year old adult now and can fight for our country. But cannot own a Ball Python?" Surprisingly this statement worked haha.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Are you in the military? If not do you have plans to join? Not to come across as mean or off topic, that is not my intention, but as someone who has served it has always irked me to hear comments like that as a justification for something when in fact they aren't in the service and have no plans to do so. Just my 2 cents.

I was just going to say I keep my room temp around 65 degrees. So I know it's going to be a little difficult with glass. If switching the enclosure deems itself necessary because I can't control the heat and humidity well enough. I'm leaning towards a tub like others have said.


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Originally Posted by jclaiborne

Are you in the military? If not do you have plans to join? Not to come across as mean or off topic, that is not my intention, but as someone who has served it has always irked me to hear comments like that as a justification for something when in fact they aren't in the service and have no plans to do so. Just my 2 cents.

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I apologize about that. I didn't mean to cause any heat with that. I greatly appreciate our men and woman in service. So I am sorry. But on the other hand I was considering navy reserves at some point in my life.


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Military can not have exotics in base housing. That includes dormitories. If you are seriously considering going in you need to think again about getting this boy. You will spend at least 8 wks in basic training then another 8 wks to 6 months in Class C training for Navy. Even the reserves plus what ever time you have to go active for training every year. I'm prior military. I didn't get my snakes till I had been out long enough to keep from having to do active reserve. All reptiles are banned for military because idiots would go on deployment and not arrange someone to take care of the poor creature. They would either leave it in their rooms, or release it. So some starved to death and the smell was reported, or someone's dog got eaten by one of the larger snakes. It's the same thing with certain breeds of dogs. You can't have pits, rotties, dobies, or any of the mix. I've been attacked by chows and chihuahuas yet never by one of the banned breeds. But all "bully breeds" are banned because of the potential to attack someone. You can only have fish in 20 gal or less, or a hamster. So you would have to rehome or get someone you really trust to take care of your snake while you were doing your military time.

Well I wasn't considering the reserves until after I completed college. And before the question is asked. Yes I'll be around to take care of him. Even on days that I wouldn't be home. I have a brother who is a couple years younger than me and he would definitely love to help me. But no it wouldn't be someone else's responsibility. My college is only around 40 or so minutes away. So I will be home A LOT.


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And I'll only be in dormitory housing for my first year. Then I'm going to move to an apartment where I could be with him at all times.


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Originally Posted by McNeish

I was just going to say I keep my room temp around 65 degrees. So I know it's going to be a little difficult with glass. If switching the enclosure deems itself necessary because I can't control the heat and humidity well enough. I'm leaning towards a tub like others have said.


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If using tubs the whole room needs to be kept at least 75-78. They hold humidity great, but there is no way to use an auxiliary heat sourcs , such as a heat lamp.
Like I said... if keeping with 75 (it can be done) I'd go with a high wattage che and definitely a uth with thermostat.

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Thank you for pointing that out. I like my room being cool. I have a heat lamp from when my brother bought chickens. I haven't checked it out yet. Could I possibly use that or should I buy a different lamp? I'm not sure what kind of bulb is in it now.


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I wouldn't use any bright bulb, they like it dark. Especially if it needs to be on 24/7 to keep temps. Use either a ceramic heat emitter (my preference, it's a lil easier on humidity) or an infrared heat bulb

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Heat emmiters are pricey. An infared bulb is about 1/3 the price and for my room being cold even with a space heater and my boiler going it keeps the ambient temp at about 82 degrees

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Ill check and see if I can use the fixture and just get an infrared bulb. I've gotten enough hours this week so far. So if I get paid. I should have enough for most of the things people suggested for keeping the 75g tank.


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This just a thought. Have you thought about barricading off a good portion of that 75 gal? Then you don't have to buy so much stuff and can use the other side for storage. It will save some on electricity too. The stuff you store like extra bedding will act as a bit of insulation on that side also. It will also possibly make him feel more secure in a smaller space and you can move the barrier as he gets bigger.

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Originally Posted by Phantomtip

This just a thought. Have you thought about barricading off a good portion of that 75 gal? Then you don't have to buy so much stuff and can use the other side for storage. It will save some on electricity too. The stuff you store like extra bedding will act as a bit of insulation on that side also. It will also possibly make him feel more secure in a smaller space and you can move the barrier as he gets bigger.

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Excellent option IMO :)

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It's an option that will allow him time also to get more equipment and experience in caring for this particular BP. Some like a lot of space and some want to be cramped up. I know a lot of people say to keep them in tiny cages but some don't like it.My girl does not like bbeing cramped up but my boy does. Remember each BP is an individual.

I had snakes while in the Navy, they crawled into my gear while in the desert in A Stan. Not very friendly though.

Lol I remember those days. No they weren't very friendly in Iraq either lol. I had 1 under my covers over there. Needless to say none of my tent mates or I slept in that tent for a while. We went to the chow hall and slept lol.