Thinking of gettin a ball python in the future

im thinking about getting a ball python within the next year and i have a bunch of questions.do you use an undertank heater and a blue bulb and do you leave it on all the time.how big around do they get?and how big of a hide will they need when there adult?do i need to put branches and stuff for it to climb at night or do i just put hides in the tank.what is the preffered substrate?do you feed in a seperate tank and do you feed at night?also do you handle them at night in the dark or do you just take them out during the day?thats all the ? i can think of right now thanks

Hi.

All of your questions are answered in our ball python caresheet. :gj:

check out the sites caresheet ;)

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

durn it! nate beat me! and made it look cooler! grrr...

:neener:

i read the caresheet but i did see when it said what time of day feeding and handling should done and also couldnt find the average width and wieght im going to read it again to see if i missed it

I usually feed later in the day, but I can't say that i've seen proof that day is better than night, although they are more active at night.

Girth...i really don't know to be honest.

length, about 4.5 feet...average....5 feet is considered a big ball python :)

they're most active at night, so that's when i usually take 'em out and feed 'em and such junk.

I feed my girl around 7p.m. on Mondays. Handling can be done any day EXCEPT the two days following a feeding. I try to handle my snakes at least twice a week, but I'm a college student and don't always get to do that. I would say at least once a week handling since you have to clean the cage that often. :)

As for girth...well, snakes are individuals just like people. I've seen some adults that were bigger around than a coke can.

Enclosure type, and where you choose to feed them, is completely a personal choice. Many people, especially those with lots of snakes, choose to house theirs in plastic tubs and feed in the home enclosure. Others, including myself, keep theirs in glass tanks or professional display cages. I feed my Ball Python in a separate enclosure because that's what she prefers, while my corns won't eat anywhere but their home tanks.

In the end, it will all be up to you and your snake. Just make sure you cover the basics of heat, hides, humidity and room and go from there as per the quirks of your snake. :)

ok i guess the pic on the caresheet page just makes him look huge to me.i have had plenty of different reptiles but never a snake before.i always liked the ball pythons.i want to make sure i get the right snake if i do get one . thanks

Maybe there's someone local to you that has some adults you can look at, so you can get an understanding of how big they get.

i was thinking the same thing.i gotta get crickets tomorrow anyways they have alot of snakes there maybe the will have a snake that they can size it up for me.i have been looking at the gallerys some look so wide and i was wondering if they were dangerous when they are adults