I just need some advice

Ok so for starters I do not have a BP...yet. I might get one, but I live with my parents and I am trying to convince them to let me get one on my birthday. I know the stuff I need, but still have questions. I was looking at some for sale from morph market. Has anybody here gotten snakes from them? Also, I was probably going to get a male since they're a bit smaller, so would a 20 gal long tank be a good size for his whole life? Some people say 40 gal when they're bigger, some say they don't need that much space and will get stressed. What is the best brand of heat mat? I was thinking about using eco earth, but are the wood shavings some people use better? I hope you know what I mean, it's like a tan-ish color and almost like paper. Also, I do have a flying squirrel, and am a member of the squirrel board. Do you think that even with precautions he would get hurt? I don't think so, he has a large cage and wouldn't be out at the same time, but I wanted to ask that anyway. Thank you! Also, I don't need help with convincing them, I have already researched the stuff I need for that and it is going well.

First off, morph market isn't one large company that sells reptile but a site that breeders can go on and list their animals for sale. So when you buy from there you aren't buying from Morph Market, you are buying from the specific breeder of the snake you are looking at on there. I would suggest looking over the snakes you were interested in and do the research on the breeder themselves. I personally think a 20 gallon is good for a male. I would start out with it for sure, and if later on your feelings change on it or you feel you need more space then you can upgrade. Too much space is very stressful for a ball python, they like small spaces. I'm not as experienced on heat mats so ill let someone else better with them answer that one. As for substrate I personally use eco earth, its very good with humidity and I've read aspen bedding, that's what I believe you mean by the white wood shavings, isn't very good for ball pythons because the dust gets on their lungs and its not good for humidity. Your flying squirrel should be just fine as well, just make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after holding him before messing with your snake.


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Originally Posted by Floppysnake

I was looking at some for sale from morph market. Has anybody here gotten snakes from them? Morph Market is a page for tons of breeders. I have bought some snakes from breeders using Morph Market and was pleased. You can check fauna classifieds to check out the specific breeder. Also, I was probably going to get a male since they're a bit smaller, so would a 20 gal long tank be a good size for his whole life? You can start off in a 20gal but a 40gal would be needed for adulthood. Tanks are hard to meet the husbandry requirements so make sure you know what you're getting into with a tank. What is the best brand of heat mat? I use Ultratherm heat mats. I was thinking about using eco earth, but are the wood shavings some people use better? Use the substrate that correlates with your humidity needs. Comes down to preference as well. Also, I do have a flying squirrel, and am a member of the squirrel board. Do you think that even with precautions he would get hurt? As long as your snake and squirrel are secure and you use common sense, you should be okay. I would also wash hands inbetween handling as well.

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Thank you so much! This will help me a lot. I'm looking forward to buying my first snek! Oh and one more thing... how much are frozen mice and rats usually priced at?

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Originally Posted by Floppysnake

Thank you so much! This will help me a lot. I'm looking forward to buying my first snek! Oh and one more thing... how much are frozen mice and rats usually priced at?

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Since those aren't set things and you will have one snake for the time being, online is going to be expensive (shipping) for you, unless the business is close to you. Best bet is going on local snake/reptile groups on FB to see if there is any feeder rat breeders local to you. You can even go to the nearest upcoming expo and get your frozens that way. Prices will vary depending on who you buy from and what size you buy.

There might be some reptile places near me. If not do petsmart/co sell food?

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Originally Posted by Floppysnake

There might be some reptile places near me. If not do petsmart/co sell food?

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They do but I heard the price still isn't that great and the quality has been iffy.

PetSmart/Co are super expensive and have lower quality prey. There are a few reputable feeder supply companies online.
I use perfecrtprey.com

My advice would be to look for local food suppliers, and failing that see if you can find other snake owners who'd split an online order so you can split shipping costs.

Also make sure there's a good reptile vet in your area - just in case.

Since you haven't bought equipment yet save up for a proper reptile enclosure rather than a tank, as it will be a lot easier to maintain temps and humidity in them. Companies like Animal Plastics, C-Serpents, Herptastic, etc. have good offerings. Sometimes you can find used ones on Craigslist or your local Facebook reptile forums - just remember to clean and disinfect them very well.

Also you will need a thermostat for your under-tank heater to ensure it doesn't overheat, as well as a heat gun or IR thermometer to measure surface temperatures in the enclosure.

I've looked at those tank, but I am in a shared room with a budget, and am only going to be able to get a tank. I have looked on craigslist and will probably get it from there.

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I've looked at those tank, but I am in a shared room with a budget, and am only going to be able to get a tank. I have looked on craigslist and will probably get it from there.

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I've looked at those tank, but I am in a shared room with a budget, and am only going to be able to get a tank. I have looked on craigslist and will probably get it from there.

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Sorry I don't know what happened there XD

Cheaper and more secure than a tank, and a ball python won't outgrow it:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-100-Q...g-Lid/50150118

Ok but I can't get one of those tanks. I would but I don't have the space or the money

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Originally Posted by Floppysnake

Ok but I can't get one of those tanks. I would but I don't have the space or the money

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A glass terrium will do okay for you. The one suggested is definitely better and less work but I understand the constraints of space. I personally use a glass tank for now for that exact reason, but will be upgrading soon once I get my new house.

I would suggest getting a front opening one if able. They are less work and stress for you sense you don't have to take off all the stuff off of the lid everytime you try and open the tank and they hold humidity much better. They are also harder for a snake to escape from. They are more expensive though so if you do end up getting a screen topped tank make sure to look into all the different tricks for holding in humidity, such as a damp towel or foil on the top of the cage and make sure to get some sort of lid clamp or lock to keep you snake from escaping.


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Originally Posted by bcr229

Cheaper and more secure than a tank, and a ball python won't outgrow it:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-100-Q...g-Lid/50150118

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Also if you wait 'til the holidays you can get one of the IRIS or RUB tree storage totes, similar idea. What I'm going to be doing probably once the holidays roll around, maybe after to get it on discount before they disappear for the year.

Ok thank you!

Ok thank you! I have seen the threads here about the foil and will try it.

My ~10 month old BP is in a glass terrarium by Exo Terra ... it's the Medium low one which I believe is 24 x 18 x 12 glass, front opening. I have liked it so far. I definitely second finding one that opens in the front, way easier.... Except when she decides she's extra hungry and sometimes almost lunges right out of it, yeesh. But anyway

By covering the majority of the top with foil, having a large water dish and one in a while doing a light misting, I haven't had humidity issues. Depends on where you live of course though... I'm in SoCal, humidity is moderate to high... so not too much of a struggle.

She's female so I intend to eventually upgrade the size of her space, but I don't see the immediate need to for now.

Just make sure to check out the stickied posts on the board about how to set up a glass terrarium and follow it to a T and you'll be good. My BP is thriving very well by that set up.

Also, I like Eco Earth as a substrate ... holds humidity better than aspen bedding (which is like the shavings you described), absorbs waste pretty well, ... no complaints about it.

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Originally Posted by SpacegirlSpiff

Also, I like Eco Earth as a substrate ... holds humidity better than aspen bedding (which is like the shavings you described), absorbs waste pretty well, ... no complaints about it.

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Orchid bark holds humidity well and looks great !


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Ok thank you all for helping me :) my parents are still kind of no, but when she brought me to the pet store today even she had to admit the one I was holding was cute :).

One more question. How often can you hold them? I know you have to wait a few days after getting them and 48 hrs after feeding, but afterwards how long each day can I hold them?

As long as it is eating and healthy you can pretty much do what you want. The problem is that they are all different. Some tolerate handling well, others do not.

Ok that's what I was hoping. I didn't really want a pet that I could never hold. I won't bother him but that makes me feel better.

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Originally Posted by Floppysnake

One more question. How often can you hold them? I know you have to wait a few days after getting them and 48 hrs after feeding, but afterwards how long each day can I hold them?

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I don't really stand about holding them or carrying them ... I usually sit on the sofa and let them crawl over me to be honest apart from the 7' Snow Boa who crawls around the room or garden ... they usually just relax and lie on me on the end until I get fed up - that's the Royals and Dwarf Burm , baby Boa and baby Retic .


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I'm the same as Zincubus, Wanda comes out and I just sit on my bed or on the sofa and watch something whilst she has an explore :) She usually comes out every day except feeding+48 hours for about half an hour or so. For a new snake though, you'd want to leave them alone for a week, and then keep handlings to ten mins a night (Try and handle every day so they get used to being picked up and know you're not prey) except feeding day+ 48 hours for a few days, then bump it up. Of course temperament comes into play, some snakes like to be held and others don't.