Going to Get One

Well I've made up my mind. I want a Ball Python. So, I need to know a few things before I actually start getting the supplies. I want everything set up before I bring the snake home. I'm moving into a townhome with some friends in the next month or so, so I have some time to get money together and everything.

I've been told I can keep a full grown ball in a 40+ quart rubbermaid tub. Is this true?

If so, how would I set this up to make it a nice habitat for a ball python?(Please include all supplies and how to set them up.)

What supplies should I have before getting the snake? I was thinking of getting a weight scale, enclosure, heating pads/lights, ect.

Once I get the snake....

How long should I wait before feeding or handling the snake?

What should I feed the snake? (I know it depends on size, so if you could, list sizes with appropriate foods. I'm not sure how small the snake will be when I get one.)

Frozen or live food? Mice or rats? (I will eventually breed my own)

What are some things to watch out for during its first few weeks at home?

What should the humidity and temperature be at all times? (I've heard 80-85 degrees at 60% humidity)

Should the enclosure be lit during the day? (If so, how many hours should the light be on?)

How long do balls live and how long can they get? (I've heard 20-40 years and anywhere from 3-5 feet in length)

Sorry for all the questions and yes I've done some research. I'm just trying to get information from as many sources as possible. Information from one person may be totally different from another, so its good to get as much info as possible.

Do a Search on ball python care sheet that should answer 95 % of your questions

first read the caresheet: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59


making a tub the home: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=40

When buying a first BP you should get one mail order from one of our reputable breeders (here on ball-pythons.net) see: http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/f...splay.php?f=69

But do not buy one from a pet store. A first snake should be Captive Born and Breed and eating frozen/thaw mice.

Why -- because you won't have to go to the vet and it is easier to feed.

my :2cent:

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

Well I've made up my mind. I want a Ball Python.

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That's the first step...admitting you have a problem. In our case, it's an addiction to reptiles.

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So, I need to know a few things before I actually start getting the supplies. I want everything set up before I bring the snake home. I'm moving into a townhome with some friends in the next month or so, so I have some time to get money together and everything.

I've been told I can keep a full grown ball in a 40+ quart rubbermaid tub. Is this true?

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you sure can

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If so, how would I set this up to make it a nice habitat for a ball python?(Please include all supplies and how to set them up.)

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It doesn't really need to "look nice". snakes don't care about decoration. If you want it to look nice, then have at it...logs, leaves, all that decor is cool stuff, but not really necessary

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What supplies should I have before getting the snake? I was thinking of getting a weight scale, enclosure, heating pads/lights, ect.

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Ball pythons are weighted in grams, so a nice gram scale would be nice, but not really necessary unless you intend on keeping a good track record of your little one

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Once I get the snake....

How long should I wait before feeding or handling the snake?

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one week.

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What should I feed the snake? (I know it depends on size, so if you could, list sizes with appropriate foods. I'm not sure how small the snake will be when I get one.)


Frozen or live food? Mice or rats? (I will eventually breed my own)

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I normally start them on mice, and then covert to rats later on. you will never need anything bigger than a small rat.

There's an ever lasting debate on f/t vs live...you have to read and figure out what works for you...For what ever it's worth, i feed live and f/t

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What are some things to watch out for during its first few weeks at home?

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i'll let someone with more experience answer that one

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What should the humidity and temperature be at all times? (I've heard 80-85 degrees at 60% humidity)

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~93 warm side, ~83 cool side; 50-60% humidity during the norm and 60-70% during shed.

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Should the enclosure be lit during the day? (If so, how many hours should the light be on?)

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Some light their enclosure for 12 hours on, 12 hours off. Personally, I do not light the cage. I have a rack, so there's really no place for "lighting"

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How long do balls live and how long can they get? (I've heard 20-40 years and anywhere from 3-5 feet in length)

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You heard right

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Sorry for all the questions and yes I've done some research. I'm just trying to get information from as many sources as possible. Information from one person may be totally different from another, so its good to get as much info as possible.

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Don't be scared to ask :D

I was thinking of getting my first ball from a local petstore. I can ask if the snakes are captive bred.

If you really insist I get one from a breeder, then I will. I just hate the waiting and wondering if the snake is ok, traveling so far. (I'm a worry wart about my animal friends.)

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

I was thinking of getting my first ball from a local petstore. I can ask if the snakes are captive bred.

If you really insist I get one from a breeder, then I will. I just hate the waiting and wondering if the snake is ok, traveling so far. (I'm a worry wart about my animal friends.)

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It's typical of large chains such as Petco to house several snakes together in the same enclosure. There are a lot of stories on this forum that talk about their visit to petco and seeing mites all over the snakes, they're very underweight, etc. etc.

The way I look at it, is if you want quality then it's in your best interest to pay a little extra.

What area are you in? I'm sure there will be some reptile shows that may be local to you, or even breeders for that matter, that can help you out to avoid shipping costs. if you get a normal, you'll probably end up paying more in shipping costs than the snake itself, but that's all in the name of quality and satisfaction.

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

I was thinking of getting my first ball from a local petstore. I can ask if the snakes are captive bred.

If you really insist I get one from a breeder, then I will. I just hate the waiting and wondering if the snake is ok, traveling so far. (I'm a worry wart about my animal friends.)

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You'll be doing a lot more worrying and wondering if you get an imported baby from a petstore, than if you get an established feeding captive bred one.

We have so many really good breeders that ship, you'll be amazed!

Please do yourself a TREMENDOUSLY BIG FAVOR buy one from any of the guys here.

I would give you a list, but I would probably forget someone. They all have websites to see what is currently available. Many will talk to you on the phone about what they think are their best buys.

Some of the snakes available are just absolutely gorgeous!!! If you are planing to breed it is important to know where the snake came from and what it parentage is.

alright, read the caresheet..but what i would say you need, in a short list...

41 qt tub

Heat source (UTH most likely)

Thermometer and Hydrometer

Substrate (I prefer Aspen)

2 hides (one for the warm site, and one for the cool side)

Dimmer or Thermostat (Thermostats usually work a little better)

Water dish (I have never gotten one of the ncie rock ones, but i use a sturdy bowl)

Clips for the tub (make sure you're little one doesn't get out!! Snakes are so good at that :rolleyes: )

Food (the largest part of the ball python, girth wise, should match the largest girth part on the rat or mouse)

A spray bottle (it helps with the humidity if it is lacking)

and...the snake...


that should be a good shopping list for you, but, i could be forgetting something (i do that a lot), just read the caresheets :D

yeah..and as much as i love my Herp shop here. Don't get it from a breeder that you don't know. Especially on your first BP, if something goes wrong, it won't be fun. I bought my BP from a breeder...i have NO idea who it was, and i got lucky, he is a great snake, perfectly healthy, but, don't take the risks. The vet bills will be more than the snake itself...something nobody wants to deal with :)

I live in Richmond, Va. The store I was going to buy the snake from is not a big chain. It is called Noah's Pets if you want to look it up. I don't think they have a website.

I don't plan on breeding and I will be getting the supplies after christmas. (All my money is going towards x-max presents this year.)

The first things I'll get are the tub and heat sources. What does UTH stand for?

Oh, and as I get the supplies and begin setting up the tub, I'll take pictures so you all can tell me if I'm lacking something or need to make a change here or there. :)

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

The first things I'll get are the tub and heat sources. What does UTH stand for?

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Under the Tank Heater.

If you're getting a juvi don't put it in an adult size tub, the open space will add to stress.

That said, SOME pet stores do only have CB babies, one of the small ones back home in Indiana purchased all of their stock from two local breeders, the little boogers always ate like pigs and were very healthy.

I haven't been on here long but the short time i have it was quite easy to see who the breeders are, i'm currently going thru a breeder from here and it's a very easy process. but like mentioned before you know these guys are good people and they will take care of you and answer any questions you have.

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

I live in Richmond, Va. The store I was going to buy the snake from is not a big chain. It is called Noah's Pets if you want to look it up. I don't think they have a website.

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One of our regular members here lives in Richmond, and I think he used to work at Noah's...although it may have been a different store. But either way, I know he's familiar with it because I've heard the name banted about quite a bit. I'm sure he'll comment if he sees this, but if not, shoot a PM to elevatethis and ask him about the store. He'll be able to give you the real scoop about whether you can get healthy, well established BP's there or not. :)

Welcome to BP.net! :handshake:

Thanks, I sent him a PM. For a smaller BP, what size tub would you recommend? I know a 40+ quart for an adult is a good size.

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Originally Posted by JLC

One of our regular members here lives in Richmond, and I think he used to work at Noah's...although it may have been a different store. But either way, I know he's familiar with it because I've heard the name banted about quite a bit. I'm sure he'll comment if he sees this, but if not, shoot a PM to elevatethis and ask him about the store. He'll be able to give you the real scoop about whether you can get healthy, well established BP's there or not. :)

Welcome to BP.net! :handshake:

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I guess I missed this post...yeah I used to work over there, learned a lot and was a great experience. Had to quit because although it was fun, I have bills to pay and had to find a better wage.

I'll publically say that Noahs is overall a good establishment that sells many captive bred animals bought from local breeders. Also, some reptiles are brought there in "rescue" fashion, either because their keepers lost interest or got the animal sick from not knowing any better. We rehabilitated many of those animals and got them healthy to be sold. I can remember many instances when people were interested in an animal and we turned them down because the animal was not ready to go yet. The owner is also a very generous guy who takes good care of his customers, and would never knowingly misrepresent an animal there for the sake of a sale.

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

... The owner is also a very generous guy who takes good care of his customers, and would never knowingly misrepresent an animal there for the sake of a sale.

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There ya go! With Brad's endorsement, I wouldn't hesitate to shop there myself. :D

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

Thanks, I sent him a PM. For a smaller BP, what size tub would you recommend? I know a 40+ quart for an adult is a good size.

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i put my ball into a enclosure very similar in size to a 40 qt... when i first got him. just put in small hides and he did just fine.

Went to Walmart last night (on a baking supplies spree) and went into the storage area and they had 40 quart Sterilite tubs. Is this what I'm allowed to use. It was only $8 for the tub.

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

Went to Walmart last night (on a baking supplies spree) and went into the storage area and they had 40 quart Sterilite tubs. Is this what I'm allowed to use. It was only $8 for the tub.

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look around for iris cb-70. They are a little wider and taller than the sterilite 1960's but work just as well. www.reptiletubs.com has them for $12.00 plus shipping if you can't find the right size and there are a few other sites around the net that sell iris tubs as well

What about getting a 60qt Sterilite? Or would that be too large for an adult BP?

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

What about getting a 60qt Sterilite? Or would that be too large for an adult BP?

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What is it under on the site? I could not find a 60 qt but found a 66 and a 67 and the 66 is a little small and the 67 would be fine for a larger one.

It was the 1895 that I was looking at. Would that be ok to house a full grown Ball Python?

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

It was the 1895 that I was looking at. Would that be ok to house a full grown Ball Python?

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make sure to provide an extra hide or two if it is a smaller snake. it is 6" longer and about 4 inches wider than the 1960's. if it is a large snake, you will be fine