I want to get a ball python

I really want to get a ball python.I've had snakes before but ,just little ones like garner snakes,and a snake my dad brought back from wisconsin, it was black on top and bright red on bottom,but anyways.I have a few questions.I have an old aquarium that is 36 in. long, 12. in. wide, and 12. in tall,is this big enough to comfortably house an adult ball python?If i would happen to get one i would keep it in a 10 gallon until it got a little bigger because I read that they can be kept in a 10 gallon until they reach the 2.5 ft. mark.Also, would i be able to have a hide in the tank big enough for a 4 ft. snake,i would think they would need a BIG hide.If i do get one it wouldnt be till the end of august so,if you could help me out i would appreciate it.:)

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Originally Posted by ofish14

I really want to get a ball python.I've had snakes before but ,just little ones like garner snakes,and a snake my dad brought back from wisconsin, it was black on top and bright red on bottom,but anyways.I have a few questions.I have an old aquarium that is 36 in. long, 12. in. wide, and 12. in tall,is this big enough to comfortably house an adult ball python?If i would happen to get one i would keep it in a 10 gallon until it got a little bigger because I read that they can be kept in a 10 gallon until they reach the 2.5 ft. mark.Also, would i be able to have a hide in the tank big enough for a 4 ft. snake,i would think they would need a BIG hide.If i do get one it wouldnt be till the end of august so,if you could help me out i would appreciate it.:)

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Well i am bad at remembering the size of aquariums as far as measurments are concerned.I have 2 of my larger females in 55 gal tanks that were converted into snake cages(some glass was removed and replaced with plexiglass) and the have enough room to stretch out when they want.If that is a 20gal long you have then from my experiance you can keep a ball python in that up to abnout(about) 4ft.Some do keep adult males in this size thru there life time.If you are getting a baby then it is better to get the 10 gal as it causes less stress on them.You can always put it in the bigger tank later.As far as the hides i use newspapers as a substrate and everyone hides in between the sheets lol.

your best bet would be to use tubs. they're way easier to set-up and maintain proper husbandry. i dont know what size tub a hatchling would require because ive never housed a hatchling in a tub but 6 qt. rubbermaid shoeboxes seems to be what everyone uses for hatchlings. for adults you'll need a 41qt. or a CB-70 tub.

they dont need a big hide, infact they like to squeeze tightly into their hides. for my 4 foot male i have the exo-terra reptile cave X large ( http://exo-terra.com/EN/products/caves_i.html).

the tank is 22 gallons im pretty shure,i already have the ten also so i would prefer to use those two.How would i go about heating?

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Originally Posted by ofish14

the tank is 22 gallons im pretty shure,i already have the ten also so i would prefer to use those two.How would i go about heating?

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Your best bet is a under tank heater with a thermostate to control the heat output.Try not to use lights above for heat as they dry out your air inturn low humidity.Make sure you have a tight locking lid also or your ball WILL find a escape route lol.Either use clips or such no bricks,books or other moveable things.If you have any other questions fire away.

just do what i do, buy a 55 gallon tank right now and ull never have to buy another tank ever, cuz the snake can live in 55 gallon all its life

the tank has like glass lids on it would i be able to use them?

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

just do what i do, buy a 55 gallon tank right now and ull never have to buy another tank ever, cuz the snake can live in 55 gallon all its life

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Its a bad idea to place a young ball in that big of enclosure.It will stress them out big time.Its ok for a adult but not baby to juvy.

a good way of heating is to use an under tank heater. Brands like Zoo med and Exoterra can be found at ur local pet store. for my ten gallon i used the small sized one and placed it under one of the hides but since your using a glass tank u may need a heat lamp as well because the glass is not good at retaining the heat. plus humidity may prove to be an issue with glass tanks because of there screen tops. I would recomend going to your local wal mart or dollar store and finding a sterilite or rubbermaid tub that is appropriately sized for a baby ball. if you do this you would only need to use a uth and it would be easier for you to control temps and humidity. it is also a good idea to buy a thermostat to help control the temp and humidity. also if your planning on buying from a pet store make sure u examen the snake for mites and broken ribs and dehydration. ive only been a bp owner for a little while but this works for me. bps can live pretty long so make sure your ready to have a good pet for a long time.

so could i use the glass lids,im not shure if that got answered.i would really like to use the glass aquarium.

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Originally Posted by ofish14

so could i use the glass lids,im not shure if that got answered.i would really like to use the glass aquarium.

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Sorry i missed this question.Not really since you would not have air flow into the tank for the snake.You can buy those screen lids with at least 4 clips to hold the lid tight on the tank.

A glass lid might be ok to cover most of the top and leave enuff space for maybe a heat lamp and air exchange. The glass lid may also help maintain humidity and heat in such large encloser.

Ahhhh, Grasshoppers! My crystal ball says that one day you will be a believer in plastic tubs! :)


Glass - nice to look at, big and heavy to move and clean, and hard to keep temps and humidity correct

Plastic - not so nice to look at, but who's looking at the enclosure anyway? Take snake out to look at. Light weight, easy to clean, and almost maintenance free regarding temps and humidity! ;)

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Originally Posted by SnakesvsRodents

A glass lid might be ok to cover most of the top and leave enuff space for maybe a heat lamp and air exchange. The glass lid may also help maintain humidity and heat in such large encloser.

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Over head heat lamps are a bad idea as they dry out the air in turn kill your humidity levels.I place a old towel over the screen lids and spray the enclosure when the snake is in the shed cycle and majority of the time they do a full shed.In the near future i plan on ditching the glass tanks and get real enclosures lol.

In my experience, heat lamps work well in addition to a UTH when trying to keep warm-side temps up to where they should be. If you have a closed-in top on the tank, humidity shouldn't be a problem...that's why I covered mine with tinfoil. I much prefer tubs but like most noobs, I started out with glass tanks. :)

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Originally Posted by joepythons

Its a bad idea to place a young ball in that big of enclosure.It will stress them out big time.Its ok for a adult but not baby to juvy.

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my snake is 2.5 feet now

2 1/2 ft. is definitely a juvie, LOL.