future plans...need help

[rex322]

ok so heres the senario. ive been looking for a bigger cage for my BP when he gets older. i think i found one, its a showcase, like you would find in a jewelry store. its 4ft long, 2ft deep, and 2ft tall. since the height is bigger then my 30gal aquarium, im guessing these are ok demensions. my question is, hide sizes. i plan on buying the nice ones. i have a magazine i plan on ordering from, but i need help. 1st question,
hide #1. demensions are

XL=7"x3". ("=inches).
hide #2.
Lg=10"x8"x3"
XL=15"x10"x4"...giant
are the demensions on the 1st hide ok for an adult BP? and what size for the 2nd one?

thx for any help, planning on looking/possibly buying the showcase on mon.

[gozetec02]

I would say the second one. But if you were going to put one ball python in there be sure to have about 4 of them in there and some foliage that way they will feel secure and not stressed out when passing from one hide to another. These cases are great they are just heavy but they offer great viewing. And it would make a killer BP breeding case.

[rex322]

gozetec, what size on the 2nd hide would you say?

[gozetec02]

I would offer an appropriate size one the one thats 10"X8"X3". Offer about 4 so they can go to the one with the appropriate temp gradient. One problem that i forsee with an enclosure that big is how are you going to heat it with the appropriate temp gradient. You could try a large heat pad one one side.

[rex322]

well, i can always stick something in there, add a board to make it shorter, depends when i see it. thinking about thing that though.

[Marla]

You might consider making one of the hides a humid hide, too. My biggest ball loves hers that's just a dog's water dish with a coconut fiber liner for a hanging plant basket turned upside down over it with a hole cut in the side. They come in a few sizes and can be found at most plant or garden stores for about $8 or less, have a little weight to them and are easy to cut into, mist on, rub on for shedding, and lift off when needed. Plus, no mold yet.

[rex322]

marla, could you post a pic of it, if u havnt alredy, and what do you think of my idea with the showcase?

[Marla]

I think the showcase is a neat idea, as long as Rex goes into it when he's big enough that the size won't be stressful for him. There's a lot of ways you could make a great naturalistic setup that would look nice in a living room with one of those. As for a pic, here ya go:

[rex322]

thx for the pic marla, i think ill do that. i got one more question though. how big should rex be before i switch him?

[Marla]

I'd say 30" should be a good minimum for a 4' long cage, with plenty of hides and some foliage. He's close to that now, isn't he?