New snake Owner with cage size questions

[SnakeLuvnGirl]

Hi there everyone! I'm a brand new snake owner with one snake so far--a five-month old candy cane corn snake named A.J. who I just love! Now I'm looking to add a ball python this summer, and I'm starting to think about cage types. A.J.'s cage is a 20 gallon long Critter Cage, but for my future ball python I've been looking at the Showcase Cages. Because my house stays cold and dry during the winter--I have a forced hot-air furnace that sucks every drop of moisture out of the air--I keep the temperature low to help control humidity in A.J.'s cage, which can be difficult. I'm thinking with the Showcase Cages it would be somewhat easier to do this. I've been checking out their website and I really like them. I was looking at their 60" cage, since it has recessed areas for UTH's and dome lights on either end of the cage, which seems to be the only model that has this. My question is this--would this be too large for a ball python? I'm planning on getting a young snake at a reptile expo this summer, and I only want to buy one cage for the life of the snake. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[The Serpent Merchant]

a 60" cage is probably too big, I keep all of my ball pythons in an Animal Plastics T8 (48"x24"x12")

Here is a link to their website, Their cages are way better than showcase in my opinion.

http://www.animalplastics.com/

If you are interested in AP cages feel free send me any questions that you have.

When I buy new Ap cages I get them with a divider. This allows me to put smaller BP's into half of the cage (24"x24"x12") This is a much better size for a hatchling.

Also I would avoid heat lamps, as they make it impossible to maintain proper humidity. Heat tape is far superior.

[LLLReptile]

I was looking at their 60" cage, since it has recessed areas for UTH's and dome lights on either end of the cage, which seems to be the only model that has this. My question is this--would this be too large for a ball python? I'm planning on getting a young snake at a reptile expo this summer, and I only want to buy one cage for the life of the snake. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

That is not impossible to turn into a ball python cage, although it may require a little more work to make it suitable. You would probably be best suited to start with an older, larger ball python that will not be too overwhelmed with all the space. In addition, include lots of hiding places. In a 60" cage, you will have tons of room.
Use of hiding spots such as loose stacks of cork flats, a cave or two, and perhaps a large branch that it could climb on, would likely be ideal. In the store setting, we have set up ball pythons in 72" long cages for display purposes, and as long as you provide them with choices in hiding spots and zones within the cage, you should be fine. Our adults went into that sized cage and aside from the usual breeding season, fed and shed just fine. It is extremely important to include multiple hiding spots of different types, to ensure that it has choice of hiding spots.

Be sure to share pictures once you do set it up, a cage like that has tons of potential to be a great looking cage to display your ball python in!

-Jen

[SnakeLuvnGirl]

Thanks so much for all the advice! I took a look at the Animal Plastics website, and I think that's what I'll go for--thank you, Aaron! After thinking about it and looking into it more, the Showcase Cage is going to cost WAAAAY too much--ouch!! The Animal Plastics ones seem more affordable, and as I'm pretty handy with tools, I'll enjoy putting it together. A couple of questions about them: I like the divider idea for a young snake--can you remove it once the snake grows? Can you use a Zoo Med heat mat under them--or do you need a special one for the PVC? Are the ones with the sliding glass doors easier to clean, or with the swing out doors? Is the T8 size relatively lightweight once put together as it's made out of PVC--I'm wondering if I'll be able to carry it by myself. Thanks again--boy, this is getting exciting!!

[The Serpent Merchant]

The divider comes out, no screws or anything. in, out really easy. A Zoo-Med UTH probably won't be enough to heat the cage. AP will set you up with Heat tape (right size and wired) for $15 That's what I usually do. As for putting the cages together, as long as you can use a screw driver, and have 2 hands it is really easy. The included directions are clear and easy to follow. (usually takes me about 10 minutes to do)

Sliding glass is the way to go, as the glass panels can be completely lifted out of the tracks by pushing them, up. plus the sliding glass will let you see your snake better!

The t8 weighs 40-50 lbs. it can be lifted by a single person, but it is bulky so 2 people is better.

I can show you some pictures, or answer any other questions that you might have... just send me a PM.

[SnakeLuvnGirl]

Cool! Thanks so much for the kind advice! It's greatly appreciated

[The Serpent Merchant]

No problem. Feel fee to send me any more questions

[RestlessRobie]

ROFL I think Aaron works for AP but I called them today and they were great to talk to and answered all my questions honestly and gave me a great direction to go I am waiting a little longet before I order as my snake are still smaller but growing so this time next year I will be the proud owner of at least 2 ap t-8's

[The Serpent Merchant]

ROFL I think Aaron works for AP but I called them today and they were great to talk to and answered all my questions honestly and gave me a great direction to go I am waiting a little longet before I order as my snake are still smaller but growing so this time next year I will be the proud owner of at least 2 ap t-8's

Lol yeah I do recomend them a lot... But a lot of people ask and I'm always online because I'm an insomniac...

[apple2]

If you do choose to go with a tank, I have a pretty good setup.

40 breeder tank
Screen top (Room is humidified)
Flexwatt on bottom

Yeah, I'd go with a 40 breeder. It will house a BP for the rest of it's life.